314 PRODUCTIVE FARMING 



plan is to build the houses with low ceilings over the roosts 

 so that the chickens will sleep warm because of their own 

 heat (Figs. 198 and 199). Extra curtains may be placed in 

 front of the roosts for use on cold nights. The sides and roof 

 of the house should be well built to keep out drafts of air and 

 rain. Chickens thrive in houses that are cool and dry better 

 than in those which are damp and warm. 



Location of Poultry House. This is very important. 

 Select a high spot to put the chicken house on. Natural 

 drainage away from the building will help in keeping the 

 ground dry and free from disease. Sandy or gravelly soil is 

 better than clay for the same reason. A place gently sloping 

 to the south is best. Where natural slopes are not found the 

 surface drainage may be provided by grading the ground 

 with the use of horses and scrapers. This should be done 

 before the house is built. 



Wind Breaks should be provided on the north and west 

 sides. They are sometimes composed of evergreens or other 

 trees planted very near together. Tight board fences may 

 be built. Where the house is placed on the south side of 

 larger farm buildings the worst winds are kept away. 



Inside the House. If the house faces the south, with the 

 muslin windows on that side, then the roosts should be along 

 the north side of the room. Place all the roosts on a level 

 with each other, or nearly so. Have a board platform built 

 six inches below the roosts to keep the floor clean and make 

 more room for litter and for the fowls to scratch. The nests 

 may also be placed under this platform if the room is small. 



The roosts, nests, and platform should be so made as to 

 be easily cleaned. These as well as the inside walls should be 

 covered with lime white-wash, containing some disinfectant 

 renewed from time to time. 



Dust Boxes. Chickens love to wallow in dust. This 

 helps to keep them free from mites and lice. Dust boxes 



