WINTER MANAGEMENT OF THE LAYERS 273 
an abundance of material at hand for use as litter, such as straw, 
cheap hay, leaves, or cut corn stover. Of these four materials, 
grain straw is undoubtedly the best; leaves crush quickly and do 
not hide the grain, while cut corn stover is rather coarse, the 
birds have a tendency to eat it, and this often produces a trouble 
known as “ crop bound.” 
On the large commercial poultry plants where litter must be 
purchased, one method is to use planer shavings, which can be 
bought by the bale, mixed with the same proportion of wheat, oat, 
or rye straw. This mixture lasts longer than straw alone, is always 
loose and porous, does not 
pack, and the droppings dry 
up quickly. By adding a lit- 
tle fresh material from time 
to timea well-ventilated house 
will not need frequent clean- 
ing. 
Spraying the Interior of the 
House.—Before the birds are 
put in the laying house in the 
fall, and again each spring, 
each pen should be given a 
thorough cleansing, which 
means the removal of ail 
portable fixtures and placing 
them in the sun for a few 
hours, as well as the spraying 
of the interior of the house 
and fixtures with a good dis- ; heen RAE 
infecting solution (Fig. 138). Fic. 138.—A ee as efficient disinfecting 
A good mixture is one con- 
taining lime to whiten the house, a disinfectant which will kill 
disease germs, and kerosene or crude oil to kill mites. This is very 
desirable, as it accomplishes three purposes with one application. 
(See Chapter X XVIII.) 
Careful Attention to Details Necessary.—The poultryman should 
always bear his birds in mind and make special efforts to meet 
all changes in weather. Keep the house as dry as possible by 
closing the curtains and windows on stormy days, especially if 
the wind is from such a quarter that it will blow directly into the 
house; also protect the birds from extremely cold weather by means 
18 
