Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-11-17
Air and Light for Poultry.

Too great stress cannot be laid on the
importance of plenty of fresh air in the
poultry houses If the birds are to keep
in good condition, writes Prof. Raymond
Pearl in q recent Maine experiment sta.
tion bulletin. 1t must be remembered
in this connection that "fresh" air, and
cold staguant air are two very different
things. Too many of the types OF cur
tain front and so-called "fresh" air
houses now in use are without any pro-
vision other than an Obliging southerly
wind, to insure the circulation or chang
ing of air within the house.
Even with an open front house it Is
wise to provide circulation OF air io
such way that direct drafts cannot strike
the birds. This applies not only to the
housing of adult birds in laying houses,
but also to the case of young stock In
colony houses on the range. Further, q
circulation of fresh air under the hover
in artificial rearing is greatly to be de-
sired and will have marked effect on
the health and vigor of the chicks.
Not only should the poultry house be
such as to furnish plenty Of fresh air,
but II should also be light. The prime
Importance of sunlight in sanitation Is
universally recognized by medical au.
thorities. Disease germs cannot stand
prolonged exposure to the direct rays OF
the sun. Sunlight is natures great dis
infectant. Its importance is no less In
poultry than in human sanitation.
Light in the poultry house has been
found by the writer great help in keep
ing the house clean and keeping the
fowls healthy. Probably there is no
greater assistance to the diseases of
poultry than dark and damp houses and
dark houses are frequently damp. In
recent years have had both kinds OF
experience, those with the hens confined
in a large, dry and light house and with
hens confined in dark house in which .
single window looking toward the set.
ting sun furnished the only light.
Being forced to use the latter building
for an entire winter l found il impossible
to get 10 thoroughly dried out after
rain had rendered the walls damp. BY
spring some of the fowls that had been
confined there began to die OF myster-
ious disease and post-mortem examiua-
ton showed it to be liver disease. Later
the roup broke out in the same house
and this dread disease continued with
the flock for months, exactiug heavy
toll in laying hens.
OF all unfavorable environment con-
ditiops into which poultry may, by bad
be brought, damp house
is probably the worst. Nothing will d.
minish the productivity of the flock so
quickly and surely as will dampuess in
the house, and nothing is SO certain and
speedy an excitant to roup and kindred
ills. The place where poultry are
housed must be kept dry If the flock is
to be productive and free from disease.
Experience has demonstrated that the
best way in which to give fowls exercise
during the winter months In which,
in northern climates at least, they must
be housed the greater part il not all OF
the time, is by providing deep litter in
" hich the birds scratch for their dry
grain ration. For this litter the expert
ment station uses pine planer shavings
with layer of oat straw on top. What
ever the litter it should be changed as
often as it gets damp or dirty.