Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-05-21

In constructing poultry house of any
type there are several things OF prime
importance that must be considered.
OF these comfort of the birds, conven-
fence of the caretaker, and cost are the
foremost; such essentials as ventilation,
protection from drafts, use of sunlight,
not always in accord and in fact build
ing that is most comfortable for poultry
might be nearly impossible to keep clean,
or be so inconvenient for the person TAX
ing care of the birds that the work would
never be properly done. Neither does it
follow because house costs large sum
of money that it will be ideal for the
birds or that the work can be conven-
iently done, in fact quite the reverse Is
often the case.
Convenience of location and arrange
ment is essential to economy Of time, in
care and management. Many chicken
troubles can be traced to the selecting of
an unsuitable site or soil not adapted to
efficient sanitation. Perfect dryness is
essential and since this is largely con-
trolled by ventilation, the best possible
system should be installed for that pur-
pose. Although dampness is to a great
extent caused by improper ventilation,
conditions surrounding the poultry house
may be such that il would be impossible
to keep it dry, unless some system OF
drainage was installed and the house
constructed with view to overcoming
them. Sandy soil is best adapted to
poultry, but conditions may be made
such that birds will do well on heavy
soil. If these conditions are to be over
come the land should be drained and the
houses set off the ground so as to keep
them dry, therefore it is impossible to
use dirt or cement floors. On sandy soil
the dirt floor or the cement hoor can oe
used very successfully, provided they
ara properly cleaned. With the dirt
floor at least inches of dirt should be
every year and fresh dirt put IN.
Although the cement floor is very hard
on the birds feet, this disadvantage is
easily overcome by placing two or three
inches of dirt or sand over the floor and
then putting straw or shavings on top.
Such floors are excellent for the olrds
and are easily cleaned and disinfected.
OF the systems of ventilation advocated
for poultry houses the curtain or open
front house fulfills the greatest number
of desired requirements. This system al
lows for free circulation of air into the
house during the day and permits the
maximum amount of sunshine to enter
the pens, which helps to dry out the 1T
ter and make the birds more comfortable.
The result is that even though the house
is cold the birds are comfortable ana
will scratch and dust during the day.
The open front house is also free from
white frost.
The type of house recommended by the
Maine Experiment Station in Bulletin
357 meets the requirements OF the ideal
poultry house. IL is the combination
curtain front and glass Window very
desirable type since on stormy days II
the curtains have to be closed there is
sufficient light in the house so that the
birds are active. Each pen is 1880
with an open window in the center of the
pen in the top half of wall. Opening is
50 feet wide, 10 feet long. On each side
Of the opening is glass window the size
of storm window. These windows are
screwed on and are never removed. The
open window is provided with muslin
curtain to close at night and on such
stormy days as the rain or snow drives
into the house, otherwise the curtain Is
always open.