44 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



moisture from the droppings ; but it is very cold, and on 

 this account, if used, should always be kept covered with two 

 or three inches of fine soil or ashes. Bricks are often used, 

 and if well drained below make a firm and dry floor. But 

 they have one very decided drawback, consequent upon their 

 porous nature and the interstices which must exist between 

 them, namely, that they absorb the moisture from the drop- 

 pings, and in time become impregnated with ammonia, 

 which reacts upon the atmosphere in the house, and is very 

 unhealthy for the birds in it. Were it not for this, bricks 

 would make one of the best floors that could be desired. 

 Wooden floors also are not to be recommended, except 

 where the space is limited, when it is necessary to raise the 

 floor of the house, in order to provide a sheltered run for 

 the fowls below, or wooden floors may be used where movable 

 houses are adopted. In either of these cases only such a 

 floor is possible; but of course it must be kept thickly 

 covered with coal ashes, or fine soil, to be renewed con- 

 stantly, and thus kept fresh. 



Of all the floors which may be laid down in a poultry 

 house, we have proved the following to be decidedly the 

 best : — In the first instance, dig the ground out to a depth 

 of twelve or fifteen inches, and then fill up half of this with 

 broken bricks, gravel, burnt ballast, coarse stones or slag, 

 which must be well beaten down. A compost of coal 

 ashes, fine gravel, quicklime and water must next be made, 

 well mixed together, and spread over the other so as to raise 

 he floor to the required height above the ground. This, 

 when hardened, will be a perfectly dry floor, one upon which 

 water will not stand, and yet it will be hard and firm in its 

 nature, as well as warm and comfortable. It is easily 

 cleaned, inexpensive, and in every way the best floor we 

 know of. Of course, ashes or soil must always be spread 

 thinly over it, as they should be upon every kind of floor, and 



