HOUSING AND HYGIENE 259 



Soil and Drainage. — The ideal soil for the location of the 

 hen-house is one that is open enough to allow water to drain 

 out and warm air to get in quickly, and at the same time is 

 fertile enough to support a vigorous vegetable growth. The 

 sandy or gravelly loam furnishes these conditions. The 

 clay and gumbo soils are usually undesirable, because 

 moisture passes through them with difficulty. Where there 

 is moisture there is evaporation. Evaporation is a cooling 

 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 survival 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 becomes coated with filth 

 and contaminated with accumulations of droppings. Muddy 

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

 floor of the houses dirty. Unlike ducks, chickens are highly 

 sensitive to filth in their food. 



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 riests and dirty eggs will result. Dirty 

 eggs bring less on any market where quality is considered. 



Exposure. — There are periods when despite the efforts of 

 the poultryman the birds are driven indoors. These periods 

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

 well sheltered, that offers 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 



