368 



FUNDAMENTALS OF AGRICULTURE. 



cleaned, they are durable, and they are easily con- 

 structed. A floor 2 to 3 inches thick is strong enough 

 for a poultry house. 



Wooden floors are apt to rot quickly unless a free 

 circulation of air is allowed under them. This can 

 be provided by making openings on the outside walls 

 of the house. Rats are liable to prove troublesome 

 when wooden floors are used unless extra precautions 

 are taken. A layer of y 2 an inch of fine dry sand cov- 



END ELEVATION (INSIDE) OF LATEST CURTAIN-FRONT POULTRY HOUSE. 



ered with a litter of straw makes a good surface for a 

 wooden floor. 



Earth floors are excellent when the building is first 

 occupied, but they soon become damp and uncleanly. 

 Earth floors should be a few inches higher than the 

 outside surface of the ground. In cleaning earth 

 floors it is necessary to shave off the upper surface and 

 replace it with fresh dry earth. At best it is difficult 

 to keep an earth floor dry and clean. 



Ventilation. Good ventilation is one of the main 

 requirements of a poultry house. Fowls require more 

 fresh air than other farm animals because of their 

 great activity. The house should be built tight enough 



