CHEAP FLOORING

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 78, 29 September 1934, Page 21

CHEAP FLOORING

Tho ideal pouHry-houso flooring material has yet to bo found. Concrete is common enough, but is fairly expensive and will hold dampness for many years. At Massey College clay floors are being tested out, and one floor put down six months ago has proved ideal,

Clean, yellow clay was used to a depth of about eight inches and when tho clay was carted in it was thoroughly broken up and "puddled" down. For a fortnight it was kept damp, and then well brushed over with tar and sand. The resulting floor surface has uot_ yet been broken by intensively-kept birds, and there is no sign of dampness in the litter.

Tho labour of puddling is considerable, but when clay is available without high cartage costs, this typo of floor is well worth trying out. Another shed, with a clay base, has a thin one-inch layer of concrete, and to date there is no sign of cracking, though this floor is a little damp, but not so damp as the usual concrete floor. Care was used to put down a .slightly thicker layer of concrete where thore is much traffic, such as close to doors, etc. Auckland poultrymen are trying out a type of tar-sealed floor, and this again seems an ideal flooring, though tho expense may cause some to hesitate. The old earth floor had many advantages, but tho annual work of cleaning out and removing so much earth and dust makes far too rniich routine. When sand is available it will prevent so much dust arising after feeding time.