272 MANAGEMENT OF LAYING STOCK 
winter will immediately cut down the egg yield perceptibly, in 
some cases more than half, and it will be a number of weeks before 
the condition is remedied and the birds are back to their normal 
production. Three special matters must be considered in the 
sanitation and cleansing of the poultry house. They are embraced 
under the following headings: (1) Frequent removal of the drop- 
pings; (2) kecping the litter in perfect condition; (3) a general 
cleaning and spraying of the house at least twice a year. 
Removal of Droppings.—The exact time and frequency of clean- 
ing the dropping boards will depend upon the number of birds 
in the house, the weather, and the kind and amount of absorbents 
used on the dropping boards. A good rule is to clean the boards 
whenever the droppings become moist, for they then give off 
objectionable odors and fumes that are detrimental. This is apt 
to take place more quickly if the weather is damp than when it 
is dry or when exceptionally cold in the winter. As long as the 
droppings can be kept dry by the use of absorbents, such as dust, 
gypsum, sand, and phosphate ‘‘floats,’”’ they emit no odors and are 
not objectionable. It is not economy to clean them too often, 
owing to the large amount of labor involved. The usual custom 
is to clean them about twice a week, but the rule varies according 
to the conditions outlined. 
Care of Litter—The litter on the floor of the poultry house 
is placed there to hide the grain, and this object is best accom- 
plished if the litter is loose, dry, and rather coarse. The frequency 
with which it should be removed and replaced with new litter 
depends upon several circumstances. A safe rule is to clean out 
the old litter and put in new (1) whenever it becomes so fine that 
it packs down and does not hide the grain; (2) whenever it 
becomes moist and damp, due to foggy weather or the beating 
of rain into the house, in which case it is very apt to produce roup 
or colds; (8) whenever it becomes much soiled with the poultry 
manure. 
A good plan is to start in the fall by putting about two or 
three inches of litter in the house and then add to it, a little every 
week or two, thus keeping clean litter on the top all the time. In 
actual practice it is advisable to clean the litter all out three or 
four times each winter, but this depends almost wholly upon the 
kind of litter used. 
Materials to use for Poultry Litter —Where poultry raising is car- 
ried on in conjunction with general farm operations, there is usually 
