96 Farm Poultry 



Foundation. When permanent houses are to 

 be built, it is undoubtedly most economical, in 

 the long run, to erect them on foundations made 

 of brick, stone or concrete. Such foundations 

 should extend into the ground below the frost 

 line, should be vermin -proof, and so constructed 

 as to exclude drafts of air. Some provision 

 should be made to give thorough ventilation 

 during the warm seasons of the year, if the 

 floor and its supports are to be constructed of 

 wood. 



It is not safe to inclose wooden floor supports 

 with solid walls of masonry on account of the 

 liability of "dry rot" to destroy the supports 

 and even to ruin the floor. A free ventilation 

 should be provided by means of openings in the 

 foundation walls of all buildings when the floors 

 are placed within a few feet of the ground. 



When wooden floors are constructed near the 

 ground, it is essential to arrange the foundation 

 walls so that rats cannot gain access underneath 

 the floor. This may be readily accomplished by 

 covering windows or openings in the walls with 

 fine-meshed wire screens. Close-fitting blinds may 

 be used to close the windows and prevent draft 

 underneath the house during the colder part of 

 the year. If suitable stones are at hand for the 

 construction of foundation walls they undoubtedly 

 may be used to good advantage. When neither 



