POULTRY HOUSE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2143, 7 January 1881, Page 4

POULTRY HOUSE.

[“ Prairie Farmer.”] There are a great many inquiries about poultry bouses at this season of the year, but it is a difficult matter to advise intelligently unless one is informed fully as to the number of hens to bo kept in the house, whether to be subdivided or not; the lay of the land, and several other minor particulars that arc seldom given by those seeking advice. I am “ dead set” against low hen houses; my belief is that ail parts of it should allow a person of average height to walk erect, and further believe that plenty of air space above the fowls is a vital necessity where a number are housed together. I have just completed another house, and it suits me well in every particular. Size, 20 x 32 feet ; capacity, anywhere from 100 to 200 hens ; fronts south. In centre of south side, eight feet wide by five high, of glass, extending from house, at an angle of 45 dog., to within one foot of the I ground ; this for dust bath. Perches two feet from ground ; floor, sand and gravel. On north side an alley six feet wide whole length of building, partitioned as follows :—lst, feed troughs and water founts ; above these, at proper height, two tiers of nest boxes, one above the other—size of boxes, 15x30 inches, with partition in centre—these boxes set on frames, one nest extending into hen-house the other into alley. When a hen becomes broody the box is reversed, leaving Biddy to the performance of her maternal duties for tho next three weeks in the alley, with none to “ molest or make her afraid.” Above nest boxes, lath partition to roof. Height of house, six feet at eaves j roof one-quarter pitch ; ventilation in centre of roof.