POULTRY HOUSE 



in through the muslin curtained openings, but some glazed 

 openings should be provided through which the sunlight 

 may come in directly. 



In addition to the sanitation which can be accomplished 

 by the use of sunlight, there should also be provided a dry 

 dust bath, which will aid in eliminating lice. Other means 

 for maintaining the welfare of the fowls may also be em- 

 ployed, such as making provision for easy disinfection in 

 case some one or few of the fowls become affected with a 

 contagious disease. The floor, if of earth, should be spaded 

 up occasionally and mixed with lime, which in itself is a 

 germicide. The interior of the house should be sprayed with 

 a disinfectant or white-wash, in order to discourage the mul- 

 tiplication of germs and vermin. 



Construction. From 2 to 5 sq. ft. of floor space should 

 be allowed for each bird. Fresh air should be provided by 

 ventilation rather than by increasing the size of the house. 

 Ventilation can be secured by means of a few openings under 

 the roof, at the back of the house, which should be filled 

 with straw, so as to prevent drafts. The floor space is de- 

 pendent upon the breed of birds housed, and the system. 

 Less space is required for birds under the colony system, 

 where they have free range, than with the intensive system, 

 where they have small fenced-in-areas. The small breeds, 

 such as Leghorns, require less space than the larger breeds, 

 such as Brahmas. 



The large colony house should be set on concrete or 

 wooden posts or concrete walls. If wooden posts are used 

 they should be painted with a good preservative. 



Where good drainage is available, dirt or gravel floors 

 are satisfactory. In general, however, a tight board floor, 

 well oiled with an ordinary floor oil to keep down the dust, 

 and well littered with straw, is the most satisfactory. The 

 floor should be raised off the ground a sufficient height to 

 enable dogs or cats to get underneath, so as to prevent the 

 harboring of rats, and also to allow free circulation of air, to 

 prevent the rotting of the floor. 



The back and two ends should be tight so as to insure 

 against drafts. The front depends on the type of house. 



Ten 



