The singular fact that our common domestic fowls are destitute of any
particular English name, points at once to their foreign origin; and,
although in the course of many generations, they have become greatly
inured to the rigors of our climate, they still retain so far their
original constitution as to require the protection of habitation
during, at least, a great part of the year.
One of the most important requisites in a fowl house is absolute
dryness, nothing being more fatal to poultry than damp; on clayey
soil, or in moist situations, dryness must be secured, either by
drainage or by raising the floor several inches above the surface of
the ground; in cold situations especially, the aspect of the house
is also of some importance; if practicable, the windows and other
openings should face the south, as this secures a greater degree of
warmth during the winter, an advantage which is also obtained by
having the roof ceiled.
The perches on which the fowls roost should be low, especially
for the larger varieties, as otherwise the violence with which
they descend causes lameness, and not unfrequently fracture of
the breast bone; in order to prevent the breast bones becoming
crooked (a circumstance which greatly injures their appearance,
and consequently their value as table birds), the perches should be
much larger than ordinary; a split fir pole, three inches across
on the flat side, which should be turned downwards, will be found
advantageous, and a height of not more than three or four feet is
desirable, as it enables the fowls to be readily caught after they
have gone to roost, and prevents lameness; for Cochins it is even
necessary that the perches should be much lower; their height should
certainly not exceed one foot from the ground, otherwise, from the
imperfect powers of flight possessed by these birds, the evils
alluded to are very apt to occur. Heavy birds of this variety are
sometimes subject to inflammatory tenderness of the feet; to prevent
as much as possible the tendency to this disease, it is advantageous
in these cases to lay some straight straw lengthway along the top of
the perches, binding it in its place with string.
The ground below the perches should be strewed with sand, gravel,
or ashes, to a considerable depth, so that the dung may be removed
without soiling the floor. This should be done every morning early,
and the house thrown open during the day, so as to be thoroughly
purified. It seldom happens that fowl houses are so built, as to
require any distinct contrivance for ventilation; in cases, however,
where the door and window are air-tight, means should be afforded
for a proper supply of fresh air; there should be an opening at or
near the bottom, and another at the top, these should be covered with
pieces of perforated zinc, to prevent any direct draught of cold air,
which is very injurious. Cleanliness is also a consideration of the
highest importance in a fowl house; if ashes or sand are used, as
recommended, and the dung removed daily, this is readily secured; and
in order to prevent as far as possible the annoyance of vermin, the
house should be lime-washed once or twice a year, and the birds also
be provided with a box full of dry dust or ashes to _bathe_ in.
The difference between the health of fowls thus cleanly and warmly
housed, and that of those compelled to roost in a dark, damp, dirty
habitation is very great; these latter never becoming in good
condition. So injurious is damp and cold, that I have known instances
in which all the inhabitants of a poultry house have been attacked
with violent catarrh terminating in roup, from an east window
having been left open on a cold wet night; and it has been found
by experiment, that scrofula may always be produced in chickens by
confining them in damp, cold, and dark habitations.
I have found that exceedingly economical and efficient poultry-houses
may be built against any wall that is conveniently situated, the
sides and front being boarded, and the roof formed of inch deal
boards, laid closely edge to edge, up and down the slope, and
projecting over the sides and front so as to throw off the rain; the
top should be covered with thin cheap calico tightly strained, and,
by brushing this over with a good coating of coal-tar, it is cemented
to the roof, which is thus rendered water-tight.
The patent Asphalte felt forms a cheap and warm roofing, but it also
requires to be tarred over, in order to resist the weather. If the
poultry-house is tiled, the downward current of cold air in winter,
may be prevented by lining the roof with straw supported by laths
nailed to the rafters; and in other cases I have found that stout
brown paper, oiled or painted, and tacked smoothly to the under side
of the rafters, has been very efficient in increasing the warmth of
the house, and consequently the production of eggs in winter.