1904.] 



Housing of Poultry. 



15 



until recently without the measure of success desired. The 

 reason, as has already been indicated, is the impregnation of 

 the land with manure, frequently resulting not only in reduc- 

 tion of productiveness, but also in loss through disease en- 

 gendered by these conditions. Further, fowls in confinement 

 can, as a rule, obtain very little in the way of exercise, and 

 unless they are very carefully fed internal fat is induced, and 

 they become less prolific. Moreover, fowls kept under these 

 conditions require a greater amount of protection against un- 

 favourable weather, as they are unable to find the natural 

 shelter available to birds in the open. The building which has 

 to a considerable extent met these difficulties is known under 

 the term " scratching shed.'' In such places besides the roost- 

 ing place, a covered yard or run is to be found, which is usually 

 littered with straw or cut chaff. Corn is thrown into this yard, 

 and the fowls are compelled to work for their food, just as they 

 do under more natural conditions. There can be no question 

 that where poultry are kept in confinement such a method 

 is most desirable. But the system needs to be carried out com- 

 pletely, and it entails a much greater capital expenditure than 

 where portable houses are employed. On the other hand, more 

 can be accomplished within limited areas. 



In Fig. 4 is shown one form of fowl-house with a scratching 

 shed. This is divided into two sections by a partition boarded 

 up to 6 ft. with wire netting above ; first, the roosting place 

 (shown with a window in the illustration) ; and, second, the 

 scratching shed. For twenty-five fowls the following are the 

 dimensions recommended : Length, 18 ft. ; depth, 10 ft. ; 

 height, 8 ft. at front, and 6 ft. at back ; divided into roosting 

 compartment, 8 ft. by 10 ft, scratching shed, 10 ft. by 10 ft. 

 For a dozen fowls : Length, 12 ft. ; depth, 6 ft. ; height, j\ ft- 

 at front, 6 ft. at back ; divided into roosting compartment, 5 ft. 

 by 6 ft, scratching shed, 7 ft. by 6 ft. Another form is : Length, 

 9ft.; depth, 10 ft; height, 8 ft. at front, 6 ft. at back ; divided 

 into three portions, roosting compartment, 6 ft. by 4 ft. ; laying 

 compartment, 3 ft. by 4 ft. ; scratching compartment, 9 ft. by 

 6 ft This is suitable for ten or a dozen fowls, and the separate 

 laying compartment is of great advantage, as the laying of 

 individual hens can be registered if the entrance is fitted with 



