32 



rain and snow water. I must allow that this form is not very 

 artistic or beautiful. It may, however, be improved in appear- 

 ance by adding a narrow jet in front, pitching toward the south, 

 and placing a little cupola containing a ventilator at the middle of 

 the peak thus formed. The front should be constructed in the 

 form of two large doors, which are to be opened out in bright, 

 warm weather, allowing the sunshine to reach, during some part 

 of the day, each and every part of the room. Wire netting may 

 be used to cover the front when opened. Thus the whole house is 

 readily turned into a scratching-shed on pleasant winter days. 

 A door about 3 by 6 feet is placed at the east end, and a window 

 consisting of a single sash at the west end and both near the front 

 of the house. A single sash window is also placed in each of the 

 large doors which form the front of the house. I might add that 

 windows in poultry houses should be protected on the inside by 

 hinged or sliding frames of wire netting, neatly fitted in place, 

 not too close to the glass. 



Scantling (2 by 3) will answer for most of the frame work of 

 the house, which is covered on the outside by common boards, and 

 these again, both roof and sides, with sheathing paper and shingles. 

 Our experience in a very windy location indicates that paper as an 

 exterior covering is very liable to prove unsatisfactory ; between 

 the boarding and the shingles, however, it acts as a very effective 

 nonconductor of heat, and helps materially in keeping the house 

 comfortable. In extremely cold situations the house may be 

 sheathed inside if necessary. 



Furnishing the House. 



The interior fittings of the hen house should be as few and as 

 simple as possible, and all easily removable, so that they can 

 occasionally be placed out of doors in the sunshine and fresh air. 

 The roosting platform may be placed 1J or 2 feet above the floor, 

 in the back part of the house. It should be made of boards, clear 

 of knots, smoothly planed and closely fitted together. Boosts are 

 not always needed, but if thought to be necessary may be made 

 of 2 by 3 scantling, planed smooth, rounded at the upper edges 

 and placed broadside down about 6 inches above the platform. 

 To insure protection of the fowls during the coldest nights from 

 the danger of freezing their combs and becoming chilled, the space 

 above the platform may be enclosed by a curtain, which in moderate 

 weather is kept up out of the way. For nests nothing is simpler 

 or better than small boxes, which may be placed beneath the plat- 

 form and open towards the rear of the house. A feeding trough 

 is easily made, in the form of a box 2 or 3 feet long and 6 inches 



