90 The Hen at Work 



Ventilation in hen houses has been discussed 

 widely, and at present open fronts and muslin 

 windows, instead of glass, are advised. This ad- 

 vice, however, is based on conditions in houses 

 built on the ground. The problem is very differ- 

 ent where the floor is entirely off the grotind. 



I have never yet entered a house in winter, where 

 muslin had replaced all glass, in which the hens 

 seemed to enjoy life. They are cold, cheerless, and 

 dull. There is little temptation to kick around 

 and burrow in the litter, and, though ventilation is 

 assured, the rays of the sun, the chief blessing of 

 hen-kind, and Nature's great purifier, are shut out. 



Where the floor is ofif the ground and the front 

 is well glassed, the rays of the sun on cold winter 

 days penetrate to all comers of the house, and fall 

 warm and soft upon the floor. As this does not^ 

 touch the ground, there is no way in which these 

 warm rays can draw up moisture. The house stays 

 dry, and, during many hours of the day, will be 

 warm and cosy. The fowls will be active and 

 happy. 



The matter of variation of temperature is largely 

 theoretical. Many declare that the drop from this 

 warm room at midday to the cold surroundings at 



