394 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



live; it cuts off all draii<>hts of air and they rest comfortably dmiug 

 the night. In fact, many [.e.ahoin breeders throughout New York 

 are shortening- the length of the perches so that the hens must roost 

 more compactly together than I have indicated, and thus retain still 

 more heat. Of course in moderate weather these, curtains or boards 

 are not dropped. We have never used them on Rocks or Wyan- 

 dottes and with a house built just as I have indicated they are not 

 needed. 



THE FLOOR SPACE. 



Let it be remembered that each compartment for 25 hens is 12 feet 

 square. This floor space must not be interfered with in any way, 

 but must all be held sacred as a scratching space. With such a 

 house we do not need any separate scratching shed. The hens may 

 be kept there in a healthy condition from November until April. 

 Remember that the dropping board, 30 to 34 inches wide, is 30 inches 

 above the floor, so the hens can work clear under it. Not a nest 

 box, dust box, feed trough, grit box or water crock is to be on the 

 floor. All these must be attached to the walls so the hens can work 

 under them, except the troughs for soft fee(i and these are to be 

 hung up to the ceiling as soon as they are empty. The litter may be 

 oat, wheat or buckwheat straw. We prefer" the last named because, 

 it does not become impacted, but the grain settles down through, 

 compelling "'biddy" to work hard to get it. It should be forked over 

 frequently and renewed before it becomes too foul or broken. 



LIGHT AND VENTILATION. 



Our windows are in the middle of the front of each house, 2^ feet 

 wide, 3^ feet high, on hinges opening inward. They come down with- 

 in one foot of the floor and one can step out into the w^ards through 

 them. In April these glass windows come off and wire screens on 

 hinges take their place until November. About our only ventila- 

 tion is the exits into the j^ards, 9x14 inches. These are seldom 

 closed, except in extremely cold weather. 



Morris Davenport, of New York, has invented, and Dr. Santee, of 

 the same state, has given much publicity to muslin windows. The 

 claim is that they give the right amount of light and ventilation, 

 and that they prevent the accumulation of moisture about glass win- 

 dows and on the under side of the roof in very cold weather. Last 

 month we investigated a number of these houses in northern New 

 Y^ork, where Leghorns were kept in safety. We are so nearly con- 

 verted to their merits that we shall try them very carefully in the 

 next houses we build. 



We do not advise you to build any house out of new lumber in the 



