9 



HOUSING OF POULTRY ON FARMS. 



Increase of production in connection with any branch of 

 live stock necessitates changes in method. Where one or two 

 animals or a few fowls are kept, we can, without much risk, 

 deal with them in a very simple manner ; and, although 

 the profit is small, if there be any at all, the work is un- 

 important, and will not repay much thought and labour. Under 

 such circumstances, where a few fowls are maintained 

 around the homestead, they may be accommodated in one of 

 the farm buildings, permitted to wander where they will, 

 finding a considerable portion of their food, and without 

 much danger of disease resulting from tainted soil. But with 

 increased numbers the primary necessity is that the fowls 

 shall be distributed about the farm, not only to give them 

 fresh ground — thus avoiding disease — but that their numbers 

 shall bear a proper relationship to the acreage. With larger 

 stock the importance of maintaining such a relationship 

 is recognised, and we must realise that the principles under- 

 lying the management of cattle or sheep are equally applicable 

 to poultry. Overstocking must be avoided, otherwise loss 

 will ensue. Moreover, in extending the poultry industry our 

 object should be to do so without displacement of other animals 

 or of crops. Upon farms fowls are an accessory to the other 

 branches. Experience has shown that if a farmer keeps, say, 

 thirty hens about the homestead, he may do so profitably ; 

 but if he increases the number, without change of method, 

 to one hundred, his returns will be proportionately lessened, 

 and the loss from disease be vastly increased. 



Within recent years the portable house system has largely 

 come into vogue, more especially in the northern, eastern, and 

 midland counties. By means of these houses poultry-keeping 

 can be adapted to the regular rotation of farm crops, and the 



