12 
Colorado Experiment Station. 
POULTRY SECRETS. 
There are no mysterious poultry secrets which you need to buy in 
order to succeed in the work. All the so-called “secrets” and “process¬ 
es” can be procured through experiment stations and government bul¬ 
letins. It is not the breed, nor the feed, nor the house, nor the care; 
not any one or two of these factors, but all carefully applied that are 
necessary to success. 
SELECTION AND CULLING. 
Continued selection of the best, elimination of the weaklings, eter¬ 
nal cleanliness, comforable shelter, plenty of fresh air, sunshine and 
exercise, a variety of good nourishing, succulent foods ; all thoroughly 
mixed with love for the work and faith in the hen, seasoned with com¬ 
mon sense and business ability; these are the great secrets of success 
with poultry. 
POULTRY BUILDINGS. 
We might revive one of Solomon’s very wise sayings and make it 
read: “Of the making of poultry houses there is no end,” and perhaps 
add, “There is nothing new under the sun.” Old ideas of poultry house 
construction are about as regularly revived as styles in hats, answer 
the demand of a certain class of poultrymen and are condemned by 
others. Limited space forbids our going into detailed instructions for 
building. We are giving the matter much thought and attention at 
the present time, and are trying out five distinct types that have been 
adopted by successful poultrymen, which are considered about right, 
and intend to build some other models for comparison. All are good, 
each has some advantages and some disadvantages. Location, condi¬ 
tions, circumstances, amount of land, price of materials, many factors 
must necessarily govern the type and size of the buildings. 
Reasons for Housing. —The object of the house is to provide shel¬ 
ter for the fowls, and should be wind and rain proof, a single thickness 
of drop-siding or sheathing with building paper, being sufficient in our 
climate. Where lumber is used the best is cheapest, and we prefer the 
four-inch drop siding. Good sheathing, covered or battened will cost as 
much or more than drop siding, and will never make as tight a wall. 
Shiplap is not satisfactory as it soon dries out and leaves a crack. 
Whatever the materials used, have them good. If you must economize 
do it in the size of the building rather than in the quality of the ma¬ 
terial. Have your buildings face south, one third or one half of the 
south end covered with burlap or muslin curtain to be raised whenever 
the weather will permit, which will be nearly every day in the year. 
Some glass in the front may be convenient but is not necessary. The 
burlap curtain will furnish plenty of fresh air when closed, providing 
all the necessary ventilation. The door should be either in the east 
