10 Liylit and Warmth. 



unable to do so, will seek another roosting-place. Venti- 

 lation may be obtained by leaving out some bricks in the 

 Avail or making holes in the boarding ; and Avhen there is a 

 shed at the side of the fowl-house, by boring a few holes 

 near the top of the wall next to the shed ; all ventilators 

 should be considerably above the perches, in order to avoid 

 a draught near to the fowls ; and should be entirely closed 

 at night in severe weather. The best method of ventilation 

 for a fowl-house of sufficient size and height, is by means 

 of an opening in the highest part of the roof, covered with 

 a lantern of laths or narrow boards, placed one over the 

 other in a slanting position, with a small space between 

 them like Venetian blinds. 



Light is essential, not only for the health of the fowls, 

 but in order that the state of the house may be seen, and 

 the floor and perches may be well cleansed. It may be 

 admitted either through a common window, a pane or two 

 of thick glass placed in the sides, or glass tiles in the roof. 

 It also induces them to take shelter there in rough 

 weather. 



Warmth is the most important point of all. Fowls that 

 roost in cold houses and exposed places require more food 

 and produce fewer eggs ; and pullets which are usually 

 forward in laying will not easily be induced to do so in 

 severe weather if their house is not kept warm. It is a 

 great advantage when the house backs a fire-place or stable. 

 A gentleman told Mr. Baily that he '' had been very suc- 

 cessful in raising early chickens in the north of Scotland, 

 and he attributed much of it to the following arrangements. 

 He had always from twenty to thirty oxen or other cattle 

 fattening in a long building ; he made his poultry-house to 

 join this, and had ventilators and openings made in the 

 partition, so that the heat of the cattle-shed passed into 

 the fowl-house. Little good has resulted from the use of 

 stoves, or hot- water pipes, for poultry ; but by skilfully 

 taking advantage of every circumstance like that above 

 mentioned, and by consulting aspect and position, many 

 valuable helps are obtained." 



A house built of wood in the north of England and 



