POULTRY HOUSES 1 



cement to 4 parts of sand. In making concrete floors, 

 each layer of filling as completed should be moistened 

 and well tamped. The color may be darkened with 

 lampblack if desired. A practice that has recently come 

 into use is to coat the concrete with hot coal tar just 

 before the layer 6f cement is put down. On top of the 

 hot tar is laid three-ply felt, and on top .of this is 

 applied another coating of hot tar. The cement finish is 

 then laid over the layers of tar and felt, which prevent 

 cold or dampness from coming up through the cement. 

 If desired, the top covering of cement can be dis- 

 pensed with, and the concrete filled in and tamped until 

 the moisture, or thin portion, is brought to the surface. 

 When dry, concrete tamped in this manner furnishes a 

 fairly smooth floor, but not such a perfectly level nor 

 smooth one as can be obtained with cement and sand. 



Good concrete can be made of 5 parts of sand, 2 parts 

 of gravel, and 1 part of cement. Portland cement is 

 preferable. The gravel, or coal ashes, whichever is 

 used in making the second layer, should be moistened 

 and well tamped. This kind of a floor is a perfect 

 protection against rats. 



If the concrete floor is laid prior to the construction 

 of the building, it should extend about 1 ft. outside of the 

 ground framework, and the building should be set on 

 top of sills that have been laid in the cement. Concrete 

 floors are rough and hard and are cold in winter. For 

 these reasons, a covering of straw should be kept upon 

 the floor; also, the roosts should be set close to the 

 floor so that the fowls when leaving them will not light 

 heavily upon their feet. 



When cost need not be considered, asphalt, such as is 

 used for paving, may be used for the top coat. A floor 

 made of asphalt will be neither so hard nor so cold as 

 one made of cement. 



Ventilation. One of the best ways of ventilating a 

 poultry house is to use muslin or cotton-cloth windows. 

 These windows are made by stretching the cloth over a 

 frame made to fit the window openings. The free passage 



