HOUSING AND HYGIENE 281 



Roofing Materials. — The so-called "prepared roofing" is 

 the material most widely used for poultry house roofs. It 

 has the advantages of being reasonable in price, and draft- 

 proof, as well as moisture-proof. It has the disadvantages of 

 drawing heat badly when placed on a south slope, unless it 

 is painted white, and of ripping in severe wind storms, unless 

 cleated down with wooden strips. 



FiQ. 153 



A permanent farm poultry house, with slatted front and scratching basement. 

 (Courtesy of Missouri State Poultry Experiment Station.) 



The Straw Loft. — One means of helping to keep the poultry- 

 house dry is the straw loft. A loft is built just under the roof, 

 the floor of which is made of rough boards placed one to two 

 inches apart. On this floor is placed a layer of straw about 

 two feet deep. Doors or windows open into the loft so that 

 there may be a good circulation of air above without creating 

 a draft in the pen below. The straw absorbs any dampness 

 there may be in the air below through the openings between 

 the boards. On clear days the doors 'or windows in the loft 

 are opened and the current of air passing through dries out 

 the straw. 



