114 Farm Poultry 



fer earth floors to artificial ones, but as these are 

 somewhat more difficult to keep clean many prefer 

 an artificial floor constructed of wood or cement. 

 Wooden floors are used, although they are some- 

 what more expensive to construct, and it is often 

 necessary to replace them every few years. The 

 "submerged cement floor" is preferred by some. In 

 constructing this floor the ground should be slightly 

 excavated so that the top of the cement floor when 

 finished will be a trifle lower than that desired for 

 the fowls. The cement may be placed directly on 

 the ground if the earth is firm. If the earth is not 

 firm it should be further excavated and filled with 

 stone, which should be thoroughly pounded before 

 applying the cement. (See Fig. 35.) After the cement 

 hardens, sand or gravel may be used to cover it to 

 a depth of from one to three inches. Some poultry- 

 men prefer to place the cement floor somewhat 

 higher than the surface of the ground in order to 

 secure good drainage, depending on litter to pro- 

 tect the fowls from coming in contact with the 

 cement when the weather is cold. A cement floor 

 properly constructed is a most excellent protection 

 against rats and mice and has become very popular, 

 particularly where an abundance of suitable litter 

 may be obtained cheaply. These floors if properly 

 constructed are most durable and are easily cleaned, 

 a most important feature. 



Windows. For the colder latitudes, windows 



