46 EGG MONEY 



ing life uncomfortable for the birds. The wire partition 

 between the pens was replaced with one of close boards, 

 and conditions were bettered; but each of the pens still 

 had two openings, about 8 feet apart, and the same troubles 

 from currents of air and sifting snow continued, although 

 somewhat lessened. One of the openings was closed by 

 screwing glass windows on the outside. • This left each 

 of the rooms with one opening and one large glass window. 



This change entirely corrected strong air currents 

 through the building and sifting snow, except in heavy 

 storms when the wind is strong from the south. Of course 

 the large opening allows the wind to blow into the room, 

 but as there is no outlet for it except where it came in,j 

 there are no drafts of air across the birds to cause them' 

 to be uncomfortable and take colds. 



Another difficulty remained; the opening came down 

 to within l]/^ feet of the floor, and the birds, sunning them- 

 selves on the floor or scratching in the litter, were iq the 

 direct course of the outside air as it came into the room 

 and they tried to find sheltered comers where they might 

 be more comfortable. On this account the width of the 

 opening was reduced from 3^ feet to 2 feet by ceiling up 

 the lower part of it. This gave a bulkhead 3 feet high, 

 sufficient to protect the birds on the floor from the direct 

 inflow of outdoor air and they were happy. 



One objection to this house still remains; its front wall 

 is too low to allow room for a large opening, high enough 

 so that the sun can shine in and back across the floor to 

 the back wall during the short days in winter, when the 

 sun runs low. This feature in construction seems to be 

 of the utmost importance, for dependence is had upon the 

 sunshine and pure outside air to keep the floor litter dry 

 and the elevated roosting closet clean. The entire front 

 of the roosting closet being open, leaves no dark corners 

 where the air and light cannot do their thorough cleansing. 



Experience with the house showed its several bad fea- 

 tures On the other hand, the pioneer house, which had 

 been in use for three years, gave great satisfaction, and the 

 same general plan was adopted in the construction of a 

 large house. 



