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About St. Helens mist. (St. Helens, Or.) 1913-1933 | View Entire Issue (April 23, 1915)
HOME AND FARM MAGAZINE SECTION Raising Poultry in America-Making It a Profitable Busing Errors in planning, constructing and locating the building arc re sponsible fur much loss of time ami efficiency on the poultry plant. Such losses may easily be avoided by any one, even tlio most Inexperi enced, who will take the trouble to consider the mutter and make use of the rlM experience of others. The following article presents the general principles of poultry-houHo roiistrurtJon and local ion, as gener ally accepted by the most successful poultry keepers. 1!Y TOOK. FltEDKMC II. STONF.nrKN. BEFORE the Interested beginner In poultry-keeping can actually make a start, "he must provide quarters for liis fowls. The baby chicks may get along comfortably for a time In the make shift quarters afforded by a paper-covered packing box, but as they grow and reach maturity they demand more am bitious structures. And, to a very consid erable degree, the returns from tho flock are determined by the character of the buildings in which it is housed. This does not indicate that poultry buildings must necessarily bo costly, because In this case efficiency is not measured by price. Sim ple, inexpensive structures may have all the essential features of the Ideal build ing and give continuously satisfactory service for a long term of years. Obviously, tho best time to erect poul try houses Is durlug the Summer months when the weather is right and the days long. One should take plenty of time to carefully consider all the factors which have a bearing upon his particular prob lem, then select that tested type of house which best meets his needs. Adopt Tested Types of Houses. Let us emphasize that word tested. The enthusiastic amateur is too often Inclined to experiment, to incorporate In his poul try buildings features which he is pleased to term "original," but which are usually either valueless or worse. For untold generations poultrymcn have been experi menting in poultry house construction and the popular structures of today represent the best things which have been evolved. It would be vain to predict that the future will not bring forth Improved plaus, but it is pretty sound advice to tell the be ginner that he had best stick to struc tures of known value and attempt to work out new and original Ideas after he has learned more about the needs of his birds. In future articles we will give working plans and descriptions of a number of poultry buildings which are widely used and generally satisfactory. This con tribution will deal exclusively with the general principles of the construction and location of houses for the adult flock. A very large proportion of the begin ners and Blde-llne poultry keepers, may find it easier and more economical to buy their houses ready made rather than to build them. This is especially true of those who are so busy that they cannot do the work themselves nnd must, there fore, hire carpenters. Also, those who are located in certain sections where building materials are very high In price. There are a number of well-known con cerns which specialize In the manufacture of portable poultry houses, buying the materials In large quantities, doing much of the work by machinery, and shipping the structures in sections "knocked down" thus securing the benefit of min imum freight rates. In view of tho many savings thus effected these builders can frequently deliver satisfactory houses of good design, complete with all needed furnishings, at a figure well below the cost of similar buildings erected at home. When received, these portable houses may be easily and quickly set up, it merely being necessary to adjust a few bolls or screws. The portable house Is especially valu able to those who live on rented property. It it is ever necessary to change to a new location the houses may be taken down and sent by wagon or freight to the new place. Many who erect their own buildings are making them in easily moved sections for this very good reason. rn.diirtion Depends I'imiii Comfort. It is important that Die noiiliryman should always keep this fact in mind: (irowth and egg production arc. In very large degree, determined by tho comfort, of the stock. Aim to keep your birds continuously comfortable. Make thorn happy and con tented. Maximum returns can never ho secured under any other conditions. The location of the poultry house has much to do with the comfort of the flock kept therein. The soil, the exposure, the protection afforded by hills, woods, build ings and other windbreaks, even the mat ter of atmospheric drainage, all have their bearing upon the question. In many cases tho poultrynian has but one available location for his poultry house. Under such conditions he should do everything possible to overcome the unfavorable factors. But where a consid erable area of land Is at hand, it is al ways wisdom to select that spot which has the largest number of natural ad vantages. The Ideal soli Is one which is open In character, warm and well drained. Heavy clay, even when Improved by tllo-draln-Ing, Is inclined to be wet and cold, with dirty, Btlcky surface, unpleasant to work on and difficult to keep iu sanitary con dition. Clear sand, at tho other extreme, has a clean surface, Is usually dry, and Is automatically purified by every rain. Ou the other hnnd, sand is hot In tho warm Benson and It is difficult to malntuln on It a good stand of growing green stuff. Sandy IOiini Soil Best. The most satisfactory soil la tho happy medium between theso extremes; a rather light, sandy loam, well drained aud warm, capable of producing good crops of grass or other vegetation. Poultrymcn are succeeding on heavy clay and clear sand, and others can do likewise, but they must tako the necessary measures to over come the attendant draw hacks. The house should be set in a sheltered spot. A bleak hilltop Is exposed to the sweep of the winds from every direction, and while n free movement of air Is ap preciated by the fowls during tho Summer months, It Is not dcsirnMu during a targe part of tho year. Sometimes a valley, which nt first sight might seem splendidly sheltered, la so formed that it constitutes a funnel through which tho winds sweep. This Is quite as uncomfortable us the hilltop. Where possible, place the building be low the crest of a hill, behind woodland or thick hedges, within tho shelter of largo barns or other structures. If these arc not available und the site Is an ex posed one, high board fences may bo erected and these will he of great help lu overcoming tho effect of sweeping winds. One of the best possible locations is a gentlo hillside Inclining toward the south. Steep hillsides are entirely satisfactory to the birds, but the attendant cannot per form his dally work ns easily as on a moderate slope. In such sheltered place the fowls re ceive full benefit of tho Winter sunshlno and are ablo to comfortably get out on the ground for days nt a time when less favored flocks are of necessity confined to the house. Of course, theso remarks apply particu larly to those sections of the couutry where tho Winters are trying. In the south bucIi considerations have less weight. Never locate the house In depressions or hollows where the dampness settles. Air drainage is equally as Important as soil drainage. Mists and fogs settle In the low places, enveloping everything In a damp blanket, nnd fowls which are con stantly exposed to such condition are In constant danger of contracting colds, roup anil other diseases. Face tho house to the south or slightly east or west of Booth If the lay of the land demand. This permits tho doors, windows and other openings to bo so rnnged that a maximum amount of sun shlno is admitted and chilling winds kopt out. Tho above factors have n great bearing upon maintaining comfortable conditions during tho month of unfavorable weath er. Hut ono must not overlook the 'net thnt the bird may suffer ns keenly from too high temperature as from tho cold. And as August eggs are usually worth ns much ns those produced In February, !t paB to keep tho stock comfortable anri productive during tho bent of midsummer. This is best accomplished by providing for ample ventilation of tho buildings and supplying an abundance of shade In tho yards. Tho latter may be natural of ai'.l flelal, but It must be provided. Just so far n condition permit, the slto of tho building should bo convenient for the caretaker. If tho flock Is right at hand it will usually receive better care than when quartered at a considerable distance from the dwelling. And care means eggs! minis of Poultry House. Tho essential feature of the house It self may be stated ill a very few words. Hut the designing of a building embody ing all the desirable features is not such Blmplo matter. Remembering that tho house' Is a homo for hi hens, tho poultrynian will first strive to provide exactly the condition which are most conducive to the health, happiness and welfare of his flork. First, tho building should bo dry. Our land fowls can withstand heat and cold much better than dampness, tinuipnesa Is usually duo to tho use of an Improper floor, a poor roof or Insufficient ventila tion. Free ventilation is demanded that tho stock may have an abumlanco of fresh utr and not be compelled to live In a vitiated, musty, damp n'mosphere. This Is best secured through tho use of open ings of goodly size in one stdo of tho building. The modern open-front poultry house Is the answer to this particular problem. The house should be free from draught or rapidly moving currents of air. Those are certainly the source of much discern fort, save durlug the Summer months, and may be a cause of sickness. Tight const ruction of roof, ends and back of the building will overcome tills trouble. Plenty of light and HiiiiHhlno make for tlte desired comfort and arc easily ad mitted to tho building. They are especial ly needed during the short, cold days; I hey are weleome the rest of I he year. A dark house is usually a dirty one ami fowls confined therein will hardly pay a profit. Make IlliiUllngs l.nige linotigli. The building should be largo enough to give the birds plenty of room. Over crowding mi nus lowered production. The amount of floor mmc 11(7"" "iruc.iurca, aceo,n,od,n: more bond, four to fiv sufficient. In small nnl.m,1 inrly where tho flock ft fined fur Anvm . ,.' needed. Tho also of Ilia fuwij j a so has a bear in r lr'l building of alv.ui i '. , , Dryness, ventilation, f. . draughts, light, sunshine and I What tho birds rmmir.. t, ' found In a structure i 1 or constructed of alnmt am J II In merelv n mi.li... . . . ' H The poultrynian will , J1!? hutldlnu are convent,.,, , '. Interior fittings so arrnnitPd aiu," ti I tit to do bis work well in ,l nnnce of limn. Tlnm iu i, poultry-keeping and hums ,U WHSIUU. As a matter of buslne, )lf , economy of construction, crcrtlgr et possible cost bulMing! hi, tho abovo requirement. In miinv rases II Is i,..n.t. . uso of existing stnictur.n, la tuJ uariin, oiu-iype poultry tmnwi . little expense convert t hem hit satisfactory quarters rnr tlie poult. When ono really knows wim , It is not usually a dllflcuu meet tho various requirement!, Copyright, 1918, by Muton M.niAd, Chicken l.leo aud Mlln. Clear tho chicken hoimei of pest by clearing out all rcfu... tho sheds tnsldo and the roots rj carbolic emulsion made an follom Mssolvo In ono gulltin of toltltr a half-pound of whalo oil imn 1 add two gallons of crude rrl,M, J soto and stir rapidly until a emulsion is made. Apply win,. I tlon. Following this apply a ul coat of whitewash, flllins up crack and crevice which mij hiding places for in lien. In case of llco on poultry appl lv lo the chicken I1ieii,,.tv. . of plaster of I'arls and carbolic mixture is made as follows: Ci i nolle add, one-halt pint; g;iMt, anil one-liall pints, ami planer o five pounds, Work together to moist powder and rub well intmt ers. Theso are formulae nteirJ by the (J. A. ;. Depart ut ol oology. A to the milk pall, hitt us always. Never use s wnodn for holding milk. Ami returaJ best tin one are made without and the small-topped one coat gel cleaiier milk than e did bi method. LA F LEO IK FOWLH. 4 cmmam, 1)1111,1 ..'v"'".;W, The m. Flcelie fowl in exir, 1 poultrymcn hav. i. .,..,., . r r '.(,'. p. er, f UI.U " . .. . ' ' l Slowing unu r II Ullnir nf liil.l.. upons ami noularde.i. x.,1,1 ,,,, .... p.7J . '.C. . , "''" " '' io K. In fa, , i,n market poultry nf 1 rnnvf. lound elsewhere In the world rru 10 i traveler muia iinimry are mil lis particular In mieh i,,,.,,..... ... V . now kkiii n,l nliuiiKu, linn our iuu as are tho utllltv noun rVfltpn if sntn. I . : iniier.i an srluetioii 0f siipt-rlur lireeils. urowlnir mil finishing h, . . " uiiinr iuuniriDH ti ,1 i..b m, I ul. L i, ... - . , - . . .. j. uens are ran- uroriucSrs nf whliA.Ui..n.i .. ' . ".""" n '" r . . .........M in IlirKtJ H1Y.H. poiiluy of the finest aruile. il 111 A lie Inn mipui'loi' in unythlnK ot ll Anierlea. Ani'iirrnilf. shanks, nml our piodncn t .are fair producer of whlie-nhellca ku i the V -shaped comb, which Is clearly shown lu the "cut. 4 milllttlM' ln,.lM. Ili. .mnA I'.lf. I,llllll19, rhe phimaKo color la rliii, iclosny lilaek. ' One necuimr fo'"" J
