CHAR III. 



MATERIAL FOR POULTRY-HOUSES. 



613 



width for the larger door, and the better it is fitted the more protection 

 will there be against unwelcome draughts. The plans shown in figs. 

 166 and 167 are excellent for permanent and fixed houses, and explain 

 themselves. 



The material of which the house should be built depends so much 

 upon local conditions and circumstances that it is scarcely possible to 

 recommend that which will suit all breeders. Where the poultry- 

 keeper is landowner also, or has a certain tenure, the best thing is to 

 use stone or brick, if either be available, for it will be found the 

 cheapest in the long run. A well-built poultry-house has very much 

 to do with the success of the venture. Brick and stone are both 

 warmer than wood, and do not need so much attention when erected. 

 They should be plastered out and kept well lime-washed ; but in many 



Fig. 167. Section of an American Poultry-house. 



a, Roosting poles. 



b, Laying boxes. 



Slanting boards down which droppings roll into 

 Gutter. 



places, either because wood is much the cheapest, or for other 

 reasons, this material is preferred, and, of course, for movable poultry- 

 houses, it must always be used. The general mistake made is in 

 having the deals too thin. We have always used tongue-flooring deals 

 an inch thick, and a house so made, and well put together, will be very 

 warm and comfortable quite enough so, indeed, for all ordinary require- 

 ments. The advantage of using the tongued-boards is that they are 

 less liable to allow of interstices for the entrance of air or water. 



The roof can be made of various materials. On a brick or stone 

 erection slates or tiles will look best, but they are rather expensive ; 

 they of course last well. Galvanised iron sheeting has come into use 

 very much of late years for poultry-houses, and it is cheap, handy, and 

 durable ; but it is so susceptible to changes of temperature that, when 

 used, the inside of the roof must be lined with wood, or the fowls will 

 be either roasted or starved, according to the season of the year. 

 Wood makes a good roof, but will not answer alone, and it must either 



