D O. FLAHERTY._
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[Illustration: SIMPLE A-SHAPED HOUSE]

From a quarter to a third of the front wall should be left open. Cover
the openings with one-inch mesh wire netting to keep the fowls in and
repel all enemies and food-seeking sparrows. Cloth-covered frames should
be provided to close these openings and keep out driving storms. The
cloth, should be open in texture, as coarse cotton or heavy cheese
cloth, not "boardy" and air-tight. Frames may be left loose to hook or
button on inside or outside, or hinged to the top of the openings and
swung up against the roof when not in use. In some cases, as in the
Tolman house, these openings are never closed, day or night, summer or
winter.

It is advisable to provide one or more glass windows in addition to the
openings referred to above in order to admit light when the
cloth-covered frames are closed. The windows may be placed in either the
front wall or the side walls. In the latter case the sun is admitted to
the building more hours each day, which is a big advantage during the
fall and winter months.

Poultry house floors may be of cement, boards or earth. Cement is best
for large, permanent structures. Board floors are excellent in houses of
any size and are almost a necessity in small ones which may be moved
frequently. Earth floors seem to be favored by the fowls, but if used
the earth should be filled in to bring the floor level several inches
above the surrounding ground. This to insure dryness.

The accompanying cuts show typical designs of satisfactory poultry
houses. When building, just bear the above principles in mind and the
results will be satisfactory.

The Tolman type is a strictly "fresh air" or "open front" house. For a
flock of thirty to forty birds this house should be ten feet wide,
sixteen feet front to back, seven feet to peak of roof, front wall four
feet and rear wall five feet high. The highest point of roof is five
feet from the rear wall.

The entire south side is a wire-covered opening, save for boards placed
as shown in the cut. A full-sized door is located in the east wall
opposite the window in the west side. Roosts are placed near the north
wall, level with or slightly above the front opening.

[Illustration: V-SHAPED FEED TROUGH]

[Illustration: NEST BOX]

[Illustration: DRY MASH HOPPER]

[Illustration: GRIT OR SHELL HOPPER]

[Illustration: WATER BUC