24 HOUSES AND YARDS 



tliorouglily drained, that system being well 

 understood and universally practised by the 

 farmers of the district. 



A coating of gravel and sand once a-year is all 

 that is requisite to secure the necessary dryness 

 in the runs. 



The houses and yards should have a south or 

 south-west exposure, and (if possible) open into a 

 grass park, to which the fowls can have daily 

 access. 



The houses* may be built of stone and lime 

 or brick ; but I prefer wooden erections, as less 

 close, and affording a freer circulation of air. 

 The roof, however, in every case must be per- 

 fectly waterproof, a pane of glass inserted in each 

 door to admit light, and a few holes pierced to 

 promote ventilation. Light, air, and sunshine are 

 indispensable to the health of fowls — the floor of 

 clay or gravel, well-beaten down, so as to be per- 

 fectly hard and dry. For a cock and sis hens, 

 the house should not be less than from twelve 

 to sixteen feet in height, and eight feet square ; 

 the yards the width of the house, and fifteen feet 

 long, enclosed by posts and wire fencing (two- 



