158 THE BEGINNER IN POULTRY 



shelter. Professor Atwood is the first whom I have 

 known to recommend a shelter or windbreak at a little 

 distance in front of the house. It would certainly have 

 value, and I think a board shelter of this sort might pay 

 if made in strong, well-braced panels, to be set up for 

 the winter season only. Cedars make a windbreak that 

 hens enjoy to the full. 



Poultrymen in Minnesota and in Maine testify that 

 the open-front house works well there if muslin-covered ; 

 by some, a modified open front is preferred. This is 

 chiefly boarded, but with openings covered by muslin. 



In localities where summer heat is greatest, I would 

 try shelters made of wire on a frame of light studding, 

 boarded only on one side — that of the worst winds — 

 and having a roof projecting six inches or more on the 

 sides and front. 



In some years, I have taken my birds from the long 

 houses and placed them in weaning coops, under light 

 shade when possible. The fowls so moved never failed 

 to give better results in eggs than those remaining in 

 the long, too-warm house. They not only laid more 

 eggs all summer, but they gave more in autumn. 



A point very likely to be slighted by the Beginner 

 who is constructing permanently, is that of raising the 

 floors and making sure that water shall drain away from 

 the building, no matter what the location. The general 

 rule is to fill in with dry earth to the top of the sills. 

 Even this will not prevent seepage in an earth floor, if 

 water comes down to the house from above. There 

 must then be an outside drain, or good banking. This 

 one point often makes the difference between a satisfac- 

 tory, and a wholly unsatisfactory, house, and in general 



