80 FIRST LESSONS IN POULTRY KEEPING. 



A double walled house not properly ventilated will not be dry, but will collect moist- 

 ure on walls and ceiling just as a single walled house would under the same conditions. 



The conclusion then is unavoidable that dryness in a house depends upon ventilation 

 rather than upon the construction of the walls. 



In this connection I may appropriately refer to the occasional practice of filling or partly 

 tilling the space above the level of the eaves, in a house with double pitch roof, with hay or 

 straw lying on a floor with wide spaces between the boards. By this means the house is kept 

 dry without being opened, but whether the requisite amount of pure air is introduced is 

 doubtful. I am inclined to think that it is not, except in cases where the loft overhead is open. 

 and in such cases it is open to question whether it would not be better to leave the hay out 

 and ventilate through the lower windows and doors. 



In connection with the use of building paper to line the building arises the question of its 

 durability, and especially of the effect upon it of repeated whitewashings, and this is a question 

 upon which we have no authoritative information available. 



The only other points in connection with this plan seeming to call for comment are in regard 

 to the method of making the floor, and the rated capacity of the house. 



I do not know where the advantage comes in in putting a loose board floor over the filled 

 floor before covering with sand. Generally speaking, it is better to have floors so constructed 

 that they furnish no harbor, under boards or cement, for rats and mice. While I cannot show 

 it to l)e true beyond a doubt I think that it will be found by those who take notice of the matter 

 that, broadly speaking, poultrymen who use houses set right on ground that can be dug up if 

 necessary are much less troubled with rats and mice than those who try to build to keep them 

 out of the houses. In other words, the more practical way of dealing with such pests, as well 

 as with lice, seems to be to so build the houses that it is easy to get at them in their harboring 

 places. 



While rated as having capacity for 25 fowls, this house, the dimensions of which are 9 x 12, 

 giving a floor area of 108 sq. ft., is a little small for that number. 



A flaine Poultryman's Favorite Poultry House. 



J. C. Puttison, Kennebunk, Me. 



In describing our ideas of the best plain poultry bouse for twenty-five fowls, we are giving 

 practically the plans of a house which we have built and used a sufficient time to prove its 

 worth. The house referred to, however, has two pens, and is used during the breeding season 

 for breeders. In our description, therefore, we are describing to all intents and purposes one 

 pen in this house. 



Requirements. 



What are the requisites of a good plain poultry house? 



Neatness and simplicity of design, 

 Economy and durability of construction, 

 Convenience of equipment, 

 Proper hygienic conditions, 



Would seem to cover the requirements, and we shall proceed to describe a house whic'i 

 embodies these requisites. 



Specifications. 



Single pitch roof no sills or plates used. 



Dimensions, 15 ft. long, 10 ft. wide, 1 ft. high front, 5 ft. rear. 

 Openings, four six-light sash 10 x 14 in. glass. Door, 2^ x 5 ft. 

 Sheathing, rough boards covered with sheathing and roofing pupnr. 



Interior. Roosting box 9 x 3 ft. Bank of nests 18 in. above floor. Hopper for grit and 

 yster shells. Shelf for water pan, feed box. Dirt floor. 



