500 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



about $10. They are set up on blocks in the summer to keep the 

 floors dry, and in the winter time they are dropped to the ground 

 and banked to keep the wind out from under the floor. 



The primary object of the Bonham pig house is to secure shel- 

 ter, warmth, sunshine and pure air at reasonable cost, and the sec- 

 ondary object is to have it as handy for feeding and handling the 

 sows and pigs as possible. For some sows the main roof may be 

 shortened 18 inches. This will give a pitch to the front, and a sash 

 6 by 1% feet in front to let in the sunlight and keep out the rain 

 and cold may be provided. This adds a little to the cost, but makes 

 an ideal shelter for spring litters, when sunshine is never in excess 

 and of inestimable value. In very cold weather we add a swinging 

 door, but a gunny sack hung at the top of the door will do. If the 

 weather is below zero and windy, a lighted lantern hung to the roof 

 inside until the pigs are dry and have had their first meal of the 

 sow's milk will keep them comfortable in the coldest weather. The 

 warmth of the sow is sufficient in other weather to keep the pigs 

 comfortable in such a pen. This house is 5 by 6 feet. Four scant- 

 lings 2 by 2 inches by 12 feet and two scantlings 2 by 4 inches by 

 12 feet will make the frame and roof supports. The bottom rail is 

 2 by 4 inches, the others 2 by 2 inches. The three pieces for the roof 

 are cut 6 feet by 6 inches to give a 3-inch projection of the roof be- 

 yond the sides. (F. B. 205.) 



There are two systems now commonly used for housing swine, 

 the central house system and the cot system, where small separate 

 houses are used. Both have their advantages and many fanners will 

 do well to use both to a certain extent. The important factor in 

 housing swine is to keep them dry and free from drafts. Damp 

 beds and sleeping pens cause trouble. Cement floors are preferable 

 for a hog house, but sleeping pens should be overlaid with board 

 floors. As a rule hogs should always be fed outside on a feeding 

 floor. Inside feeding is unsanitary and wasteful of space, even 

 though it may be convenient. (Wis. B. 184.) 



One shed roof hog house is provided with a door in the rear the 

 same size as the lower front door and placed diagonally opposite so 

 that by opening all the doors, it makes a cool house in summer. On 

 the other hand, by closing both lower doors and opening the upper 

 front door, for ventilation, it makes a warm house for cold winter 

 weather. The upper front door is arranged with a wooden ratchet on 

 the back side, which holds it in any desired position. By having the 

 hinges on the top, the storm and hot sun cannot enter and yet by ad- 

 justing the opening, air can circulate freely without causing a draft 

 on the animals. This door at the top is an important factor. It is a 

 serious mistake to build these houses with but one opening, as is 

 sometimes done. There is then no ventilation whatever, and the 

 house in warm weather becomes a suffocating quarter. To build 

 the shed roof house, construct the frame 8 feet long by 6 feet 4 

 inches wide on 7 joists 2 inches by 4 inches 6 feet long, and two 

 pieces 2 inches by 4 inches nailed across the ends of the joist. This 

 will make the foundation for the floor 6 feet 4 inches wide and 



