The record-union., 1896-08-28


through windows on the south side.
The windows should not be large nor
more than one to every 8 or 10 feet in
length for a house l. feet wide, and
about II inches from the floor or at
such hight that as much sunshine as
possible will be thrown on the floor.
The size and form of the windows will
determine quite largely their location.
In all poultry houses in cold ATTITUDES
the windows should be placed in such a
position that they will give the most
sunshine on the floor during the severe
winter months. One of the common
mistakes is in putting in too many win
Gows. While a building that admits
plenty of sunlight in the winter time is
desirable, cold one is equally unde-
sirable and windows are a source of
radiation at night unless shutters or
curtains are provided. Sliding win
dows are preferred on many accounts.
They can be partially opened for venti-
lation on warm days. The base or rail
on which the window slides should be
made of several pieces fastened an inch
or so apart, through which openings
the dirt which is sure to accumulate
III poultry houses may drop and insure
free movement of the window.
Some means of ventilatng the build
ing should be provided. A ventilator
that can be opened and closed at the
Will of the attendant will give good re-
suits if given proper attention. All
ventilatorS that are in continuous
operation either give too much yentila-
ton during cold and windy weather or
rot enough during still, warm days.
AS rule, they give too much ventila-
ton at night and too little during the
warm parts of the day. Ventilators are
not needed in severe cold weather, but
during the first warm days of early
spring, and whenever the temperature
rises above freezing during the winter
months some ventila tion should be pro-
vided. Houses with single walls will
become quite frosty on the inside dur
ing severe weather, which will cause
considerable dampness whenever the
temperature rises sufficiently to thaw
cut all the frost of the side walls and
roof. AT this time a ventilator is most
needed. A ventilator in the highest
part of the roof that can be closed
tightly by means of cords or chains
answers the purpose admirably and
may be constructed with little ex-
pense.
OF interior arrangement this is said
The fewer and simpler the interior ar
rangements the easier the house can
be kept clean, and the greater the floor
SPACE available for the fowls. There is
no reason why all the perches should
not be placed near the floor Movable
perches are to be preferred. A 2x3
scantlfng set edgewise, with the upper
corners rounded, answers every purpose
and makes a satisfactory perch. The
perches should be firm and not tip or
rock. The form of the scantling makes
it easy to secure them firmly and still
have them removable.
Underneath the perches should al
ways be placed smooth platform to
catch the droppings. This is necessary
for two reasons: the droppings are val
liable for fertilizing purposes and ought
not to be mixed with the litter on the
floor; then, too, if the droppings are
kept separate and in a convenient place
to remove, it is much easier to keep the
house clean than when they are allowed
to become more or less scattered by the
tramping and scratching of fowls. The
distance of the platform from the perch
will be governed somewhat by the
means employed for the removing of
the droppings. If broad iron shovel
with a tolerably straight handle is
used, the space between the platform
and perches need not be more than six
inches. The droppings should be re-
moved every day.
In constructing nest boxes, three
points should be kept constantly in
mind: % The box should be of such
nature that it can be readily cleaned
and thoroughly disinfected; if it is re-
movable so that it can be taken out of
doors, so much the better; (2) it should
be placed in the dark, or where there is
only just sufficient light for the fowl to
distinguish the nest and nest egg; CD
there should plenty of room on two or
three sides of the nest. 1t is a we'll
known fact that some hens in seeking
nest will always drive off other hens, no
matter how many vacant nests may be
available. If the nest is so arranged
that it can be approached only from
one side, when one hen is driving an
other from the nest there is likely to
which is often a broken egg. This. per-
haps, more than any other thing, leads
to the vice of egg-eating. To the writ
er's knowledge, the habit of eating
is not contracted where the nests are
arranged in the dark and open on two
or three sides. Nests for Leghorns or
Hamburgs may be made of six-inch
fence boards nailed together so as to
form boxes Sx10 inches and 6 inches
deep. Where perches are arranged with
the platform underneath to catch the
droppings, as previously described. the
nests may be placed on the floor under
meath this platform, the opening in
front closed from door which either
lets down from the top or lifts from the
bottom. Where nests are placed side
by side it is necessary to have the par
titions between them of sufficient hight
so that it will be impossible for a hen
to draw eggs from one nest to another
1T is necessary to provide dust boxes
for the fowls during the winter months
If they are to be kept free from lice If
the soil in the yards is naturally dry and
porous, abundant opportunities will be
had for dust baths during the warm
summer months, but during the late
fall, winter and early spring some arti-
fetal provision must be made A COM
paratively small box will answer the
purpose if the attendant is willing to
give a little attention to it each day.
These boxes should be placed so that
they receive some sunshine on each
bright day. and be kept we'll filled with
loose fine earth Road dust procured
during the hot, dry months of July and
August from much-traveled roads has
no superior for this purpose. Probably
there is no way in which the poultry