Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-07-23

too far away they will roost in the
barns and sheds rather than return to
it. The poultry house should not be
too far from the dwelling either, In
order that it may not be too incon-
venient to care for the poultry. The
ground where 1t is placed should be
fairly high and naturally well drained.
damp poultry house fosters all sorts
Of diseases.
The size Of the poultry house de-
ponds upon the number of fowls kept.
1t is estimated that about five square
feet Of floor space should be allowed per
fowl. If they can be out OF doors most
of the time they can get along with
considerably less. The best kind of
house to build is the scratching shed
type, built with shed roof. The high
side should be to the south. About
half of this house should be parti-
toned off for scratching shed. The
south side of this shed part is to be
left open, covered only with wire net
ting to keep the fowls in. If the back
and sides of this room are tight and
the bottom boarded up a foot or two
there will be little draft and the
fowls will be comfortable even In the
coolest weather The floor Of this
shed part may be Of dirt and should
be kept covered with several inches of
straw.
The remainder of the house should
have floor, preferably of cement. A
cement floor is easily kept clean and is
little more expensive than wooden
one. The chief advantage is that 1t
keeps out rats and other vermin better
than any other kind Of floor. Neither
does it furnish any crevices in which
lice and mites can hide. These pests
jre the worst enemies to poultry cul-
ture, and care should be taken IN build
ing n house to leave as few cracks
where they can hide as possible.
Value Of a Curtain Front.
There should be several windows In
the south side Of the house to supply
light Light is one Of the best disin
fectants. 1t does much to keep the
fowls free from disease and happy ant
contented. To provide for ventilation
there is nothing equal to the 'curtaiI
front" This is large square of mus
lin fitted into a frame the same as I
window. This allows a gradual nd
mission of fresh air without drafts
The exchange Of air takes place slowl,
enough, so that it does not lower tn
temperature of the house too much
Considerable light comes through tn
through it TT night than through glas
, windows. The curtain has the furthe
advantage Of being cheap. No poultr
house should be put up without one.
Whether built Of lumber or Of som
other material. the poultry houa
should be tight. Drop siding Is goo
material for the side walls. A singl
wall is the cheapest and answers tn
purpose very well. It costs only II
: tie extrn, however, to lath and plastt
the inside. and such house IA mo,
desirable In regions where the winter
are extremely cold. 1t does not pay
d paper the inside Of the house, as IL
y mites will find n congenial home b
:, tween the paper and the wall.
IA Roosts and Nest Boxes.
" Part of the main part of the hou!
" should be given over to roosts and II
rest used for nest boxes. 1t is bett'
to have the roosts along the north sid
,, A muslin curtat, arranged on role
~ so that it can be let down in front {
al the fowls on cold nights, does much
8. keep them comfortable. The roostiI
I'd space to be allowed to each fowl
six to twelve inches. accordi g to siz