FIUST LESSONS IN POULTRY KEEPING. 

 Construction. 



81 



Hoof. In the low single roofed house we have the warmest construction obtainable at a 

 minimum of expense iu building, and overcome any objection that there may be on the score of 

 poor ventilation by cu'rtains in front of roosts and at certain windows. 



Framing. The studs are toe nailed directly to posts set into the ground 18 in., and project- 

 ing 6 in. above ground, and the rafters are nailed directly to top of studs, which are cut at the 

 right level to fit them, thus doing away with sills and plates. This construction gives ample 

 strength for buildings of this class. The front studs are spaced to take in the three windows 

 shown in cut> Fig. 1, about 2 ft. 10 in. apart, which allows windows to slide vertically between 

 studs. This also establishes the spacing of rafters and rear studs at 2 ft. 10 in. 



Dimensions. The ground dimensions, 15 x 10 ft., gives a pen of sufficient size for twenty- 

 five fowls, and lumber will cut to good advantage. The height, 7 ft. front, 5 ft. rear, is suffi- 

 cient for doing the work, while contributing greatly to the warmth, and lessening the expense 

 over higher studding. 



Windows. Four six-light sash, three in front and one in opposite end to door, are sufficient 



for light and ventilation. These are arranged to slide 

 up and down readily, and should be open a part of 

 each day. For these window spaces also we should 

 have at least two frames same size as sash covered 

 with cotton cloth to slip in in place of glass on stormy 

 days, to give ventilation and keep out snow and rain. 

 Sliding frames are preferable to those hinged at the 

 top for window openings, as the latter catch dust 

 when up, which excludes light. For our part we 

 use no glass at all in our laying houses, (except in a 

 house for breeders, and this only to protect combs 

 of males), but rely on curtains entirely. In summer, 

 . with front and end windows out and slat door, the 



Vt 



house will cool perfectly on hottest nights. 



Floor. For almost all locations, or on practically 

 ^ all land suitable for fowls, a dirt floor is far superior 

 | to one of boards or other material. The building 

 ^ should be filled in several inches higher than ground 

 J5 outside, with fine dry dirt. A dirt floor furnishes 

 s the best possible absorbent for droppings, and con- 

 * tributes greatly to the health of the fowls a dusting 

 |j medium which the fowls may use at will a good 

 > foundation for litter, and the labor of removing dirt 

 1 and replacing with fresh each spring and fall, is less 

 fel than keeping a board floor properly clean, to say 

 1 nothing of the high fertilizing value of the dirt 

 ^ removed, which is fined up ready for use. 

 ^ Covering. The sheathing, being covered with 

 paper, may be of unplaned lumber, if cheaper, and 

 the bottom courses should be of hemlock, which will 

 last longest when in contact with the earth. The 

 sheathing runs lengthwise of the building; a sheath- 

 ing paper is used to increase the warmth, and in 

 laying work should be begun from the opposite 

 end of building from that used in beginning to lay 

 the roofing proper in order to break joints with the 

 roofing and render the building warmer and more 

 wind proof. A very good way to lay the paper is 

 to run the strips from the ground or windows in 

 front up over the roof and down to the ground in 



