22 POULTRY DISEASES 



The floor of poultry houses should be of con- 

 crete; it should be filled in until it is several inches 

 to a foot higher than the surface of the ground 

 surrounding the building; immediately beneath 

 the concrete there should be a layer of cinders 

 or very coarse gravel, six or eight inches thick. 

 A floor so constructed will not absorb dampnes?, 

 from below. It is lasting, and is easily cleaned 

 and disinfected. 



An open shed facing the south, where the birds 

 can enjoy scratching and dust throughout the 

 year, is a great aid in maintaing the health and 

 productiveness of the flock. 



Portable houses and runs, that can be moved 

 from place to place, furnish fresh soil, a change 

 of food, abundant insects, etc., and possess many 

 advantages of sanitation. 



The poultry yards or runs should furnish, at 

 least, 100 square feet or better, 150 square feet 

 of space for each bird; as stated previously, 

 the runs should be well drained and free from 

 puddles of mud and water. 



Water-supply 



Fowls require water in abundance at all times 

 for the best production of eggs (which are sixty 

 per cent water) and flesh (which is sixty to 

 eighty per cent water) and to avoid great suffer- 

 ing during hot weather. 



The water should be clean, supplied fresh every 

 day, and in vessels so arranged that the birds 

 cannot get into them and thus contaminate it with 

 the filth from the yards which adheres to their 

 feet. As is shown under the discussions of the 

 various infectious diseases and parasitisms, these 

 are spread in most cases, not by direct contagion 



