HOUSING FARM POULTRY 17 



In the permanent house larger flocks can be handled with 

 less expense and trouble, because of many conveniences that 

 may be provided for the general management of a large flock. 

 Exceeding care should be exercised in cleaning up the yards and 

 houses, in keeping the soil sweet and fresh by occasional cul- 

 tivation, and in preventing the spread of contagious diseases. 



Factors that Should be Considered. 



Whether the colony or the stationary house is used, the 

 problems to be considered in planning the house are very much 

 the same. These may for convenience be divided into four 

 groups. 



The Health and Comfort of the Fowls. 



Dryness. The first essential of the house itself to insure 

 health and vigor, is freedom from moisture. Since the house 

 must be kept dry it must be located in a dry place. A gentle 

 slope to the south with a porous soil and good air drainage is 

 ideal. In many places it will not be possible to get the ideal, 

 so that some provision must be made to keep the moisture out 

 of the house. A good floor well up from the surface of the 

 ground is about the best we can do. A concrete floor, under 

 which is placed a six or eight inch layer of fine gravel or broken 

 stone, will keep out the moisture and will be more easily cleaned 

 and kept in a sanitary condition than the dirt floor. Many pre- 

 fer the dirt floor, however, because of cost, and if six or eight 

 inches of dirt are placed on top of the stone after a thin layer of 

 cinders or other fine material covers the stone, it does fairly 

 well and will usually be dry; but the dirt must be replaced 

 occasionally by fresh soil and the cost of keeping it in condition 

 will soon pay for the cement floor. In wet or damp surround- 

 ings evaporation is continually taking place, and evaporation 

 is a cooling process, so that the temperature will be kept down. 

 The hen's feet will be wet and muddy. This means fewer eggs 

 and many dirty ones. 



Ventilation. Fresh air without draughts is the next im- 

 portant consideration. In the past warmth was the big object 

 sought, and many houses were built with little or no ventilation 

 provided for, or the openings that were provided caused 

 draughts ; now if we are not more careful in planning the house, 

 the open front will be carried to the other extreme, as has been 



