28 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



ing south, for, whilst the latter will be comfortable, even 

 on those days when but little of the sun has been seen, 

 the former will be cold and comfortless. Practical ex- 

 perience has led us to make a strong point of this, as we 

 know the value of having the house in a sheltered position, 

 and this is one of the little things that needs to be thought 

 of before a house is erected, as it cannot be easily remedied 

 afterwards. Of course there are some places where it is 

 impossible to obtain a southern or southerly aspect, and then 

 the best must be made of existing circumstances. Even in 

 such a case as this, by a little planning much can be done, 

 and we some time ago visited a poultry yard, the grass run 

 of which was in a cold and bleak place, with an aspect almost 

 due north. Here a substantial stone wall ran down one side 

 of the field, and the houses were built on the south side of 

 this wall, the covered runs being on the other side, and the 

 two connected by trap-holes in the wall. The effect of such 

 a plan as this is very great, the temperature in the houses 

 being several degrees higher than if they were on the north 

 side, and thus much of the disadvantage of a north or east 

 aspect can be overcome. If no other plan can be adopted, 

 we would make the doors and windows at the one least 

 exposed side or end of the house, having no opening on 

 the other sides, but even when this is done the walls will 

 need to be thicker than they would if in a more favourable 

 position. 



Whenever it is possible we should advise that a brick or 

 stone wall should be made the back of the house, as this is 

 a great protection and support to the erection, and also gives 

 additional warmth, as well as being a saving in cost. If this 

 wall be part of, or next to a stable, a cow-shed, a greenhouse, 

 an engine- shed, or even a dwelling, the warmth derived will 

 be highly beneficial. We have repeatedly known instances 

 where large numbers of eggs have been got in the severest 



