254 POULTRY PRODUCTION 



moisture passes throLi<;h them witli difficulty. Wliere there 

 is moisture tliere is evaporation. Evaporation is a cooUng 

 process, and damp soils are always cold. Cold and dampness 

 are limiting factors in egg production. 



Such a soil, unless thoroughly drained by tiling, is a 

 source of positive danger to the health of the flock. Moisture 

 furnishes one of the essentials of the survi^■al and development 

 of disease-producing bacteria. A damp soil harbors disease. 

 When the movement of the soil water is slow, unless the 

 ground surrounding the house is so steep that it is self- 

 cleaning every time it rains, it l:)ecomes coated with filth 

 and contaminated with accumulations of droppings. INIuddy 

 yards are unsatisfactory to feed on, and soon make the feeding 

 fl(jor of the houses dirty. Unlike ducks, chickens are highly 

 sensitive to filth in their feed. 



Aside from its hygienic aspects, the fact must not be lost 

 sight of that muddy yards mean that mud will be carried 

 into the pens and nests and dirty eggs will result. Dirty 

 eggs bring less on any market where cjuality is considered. 



Exposure. — There are periods when despite the efforts of 

 the poultryman the birds are driven indoors. These periods 

 are shortenetl when the house is placed on a south slope, 

 well sheltered, that ofl'ers good air and water drainage. 

 The south slope is advantageous for poultry for the opposite 

 reason that a north slope is sought for fruits. The early 

 arrival of spring conditions is as desirable for poultry, as 

 the retarding of those conditions until all danger of frost 

 has passed is for fruit. The soil on a south slope will be 

 several degrees warmer than the same type of soil on any 

 other slope or on the level. Because it is warmer it is dryer. 

 The snow melts more quickly, and there is less discomfort for 

 the birds. Spring conditions arrive earlier and tarry later 

 on a south slope than on any other exposure, and spring is 

 the season of the greatest and most economical production. 

 Next to the southern exposure the east is the most desirable, 

 because if they cannot have both, chickens, in common with 

 flowers, prefer the morning to the afternoon sun. The west 

 slope is the next most desirable, and the north exposure is 

 the least desirable of all. 



