11 



Unsanitary Conditions Propagate Disease. 



Objectionable Locations. — It is an uncommon thing to find the 

 poultry-house separated from the barnyard by any great distance. In 

 many cases the fowl are allotted a section of the main stock stable or they 

 are given the entire run of an outbuilding situated very close to the barn- 

 yard. While there are certain advantages in such a location where the 

 fowl may pick up grain and feed that would otherwise go to waste, there 

 are serious evil effects of this arrangement. In the wet season of the 

 year most barnyards are in a very muddy and dirty condition, and during 

 this time it is difficult to keep eggs clean and attractive in appearance. 

 Moreover, under these conditions, the fowl not only have access to, but 

 are often forced to drink the filthy barnyard drainage water. This 

 greatly facilitates the spread of disease, and in view of that fact it would 

 seem advisable to discourage such a location. The nearby orchard or 

 lane not too far from the buildings is much to be preferred. 



Fig, 3. — A typical farm poultry house — light and ventilation entirely inadequate. 



House Sanitation. — The health of the average farm flock is not as 

 a rule well looked after. In a few cases regular and systematic cleaning 

 of the house is observed, but these are the exception rather than the rule. 

 In a very considerable proportion of the poultry houses examined the 

 term " filthy " does not exaggerate the conditions found. The usual 

 practice is to allow the droppings to accumulate for several months before 

 any attempt is made at a proper cleaning. In some instances houses are 

 provided with dropping boards, and where these are neglected the condi- 



