1 66 On the Rearing and Management of Poultry. 



Ventilation.-^'N othmg can have a more pernicious effect on 

 health than a polluted atmosphere; it is therefore of the utmost 

 importance that the ventilation be of the most perfect description. 

 I am not fully aware whether the air, which has done its work 

 in respiration, should be taken off at the top or bottom of the 

 house. During each respiration a volume of air is received into 

 the lungs, and an equal volume of carbonic acid gas is thrown off. 



Cai bonic acid gas is heavier than pure air when they are both 

 of the same temperature, but when thrown off by the lungs, it 

 is, in consequence of its increased temperature, specifically 

 lighter than the surrounding air, and it consequently rises until 

 an equilibrium is established. Should the gas and air combine, 

 it matters little at what point or elevation the poisoned air be 

 taken off ; but should they not combine, or only partly so, then, 

 I distinctly say, take away the air from the bottom, for no 

 sooner will the gas become of the same temperature as the air 

 than it will fall. 



As I would rather incur the liability of lowering the tem- 

 perature of the apartment than I would have an unwholesome 

 atmosphere, I recommend two openings, one to be about half 

 way between the floor and roof, the other to be as close to the 

 roof as practicable. To prevent too sudden a draught, a deal 12 

 inches square should be placed before each opening on the 

 inside, about an inch from the wall. The openings should be 

 about 4 inches square. To get the air taken from the bottoir, a 

 pipe of about 3 inches diameter might be c(mducted from wi hin 

 say 6 inches of the floor, and continued up one of the corners of 

 the kitchen-chimney. 



The doors must be made in two parts, so that in hot wea- 

 ther the upper part can be kept open while the under part is 

 closed. To admit the ingress and egress of the fowls there 

 must be three openings, 12 inches high and 10 broad, with 

 shutters on the inside — one opening to be at the front, and the 

 other into the back yard, from whence the fowls should have a 

 free range over the whole place. The openings should be high 

 enough to clear the nests, and provided with hen -ladders inside 

 and out. That which composes the bottom of the openings should 

 extend at least 4 inches beyond the wall on both sides. 



The Turkey-house. — The turkey-house adjoins that occupied 

 by the fowls, ihe size of which should be regulated according to 

 the number of turkeys kept. No bird is more delicate when 

 young, nor more hardy when old, than the turkey ; their house 

 must therefore be constructed with this peculiarity in view. The 

 balks should be placed higher, by 3 or 4 feet, than those in the 

 fowl-house, and accompanied with a hen-ladder. Large lattice 



