270 POULTRY PRODUCTION 



Tlie custom often diflers in the placing of the open window. 

 It is usually placed hi^h enough so that the wind will not 

 strike the fowls, as in Figure loO, or clear at the flcjor, as in the 

 case of the Tolnian house in Figure 1G2, and the Woods house 

 in Figure 143. Either way is satisfactory'. The main 

 function of this open window is to allow the free admission of 

 fresh air without creating drafts. In extreme cold or stormy 

 weather these windows should be protected by frames 

 covered with light muslin, heavy cheese-cloth, or by a 

 slatted frame as shown in Figure 14S. 



In the shed roof and combination roof types of houses 

 it is usual to have all the openings on the south side, as in 

 Figures 139 and 147. For very warm weather it is often 

 desirable, however, to have extra ventilation, as is given in 

 the house shown in Figure 1.51. In the combination-roof 

 houses of the type shown in Figure 1()2 the open window is 

 I)laced at the south and the glass window and door on the 

 east and west sides. In houses having openings on more than 

 one side, care must be taken to see that the fowls are so 

 protected that they are out of the line of any drafts. 



Ventilation Systems. — Most of the ventilating systems 

 used in stables depend upon a considerable difference between 

 inside and outside temperatures for successful operation. 

 Owing to the facts that chickens recjuire a much greater 

 amount of floor space per hundred pounds of live weight than 

 do the larger animals, and that the roof must be high enough 

 to furnish liead room for the feeder, there is too much cubic 

 space in a hen-house for the hens to heat it sufficiently to 

 make such systems work. Up to the present time, open- 

 front, curtain-front, and slatted-front houses seem to furnish 

 the best means of ventilation. Where the summers are 

 extremely hot, such ventilation may be supplemented by 

 ventilators at the back of the house, as shown in Figure 144. 

 This is so arranged that the fowls are never in a direct 

 draft. 



Walls and Partitions. — The walls and partitions must be 

 solid enough to support the roof and withstand heavy winds. 

 They must be draft-proof, dry, and easy to clean and dis- 

 infect. Matched boards free from knots, well painted, and 



