262 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



COMMERCIAL LAYING HOUSE. 



Figures 12, 13 and 14 (see Fig. 1) are drawings of a single section 

 of the long laying house at the college, each section being 18 feet square 

 thus accommodating 65 birds. The sills are made of two 2x6-inch 

 pieces and the plates of two 2x4-inch. The front is 7 feet 8 inches 

 high and the back 4 feet 8 inches, the studs are 7 feet and 4 feet long 

 respectively. The roof is of combination type and being comparatively 

 steep having 1 foot rise to every two feet horizontal run. Shingles are 

 used instead of prepared rooting, being better adapted to the steeper 

 roof. No alleyway is used in this house and the pens are connected by 

 a series of doors thus utilizing all the sjiuce and compelling the attend- 

 ant to mingle with the birds where he is able to study their needs and 

 conditions much more thoroughly. 



The open front method of muslin ventilation is used in this house with 

 a different arrangement of windows than in the house previously de- 

 scribed. In the center of the south side is a glass door made by hinging 

 two 9 light 9xl2-inch glass windows, thus atfording 15 square feet of 

 glass to 324 square feet of floor space and also a door tluit can be 

 opened for cleaning purposes. On both sides are muslin frames 3x5 

 feet which being 4 feet from the floor do not permit drafts on the 

 birds when oi>en, one being opened every day during the winter, although 

 closed at night. Had these frames been made into two sections it would 

 permit a more perfect control of the amount of fresh air in the house, 

 but it is very satisfactory as it is. 



The house is ceiled on all sides and above which would not be advis- 

 able in a commercial house. The arrangement of the droppings boards, 

 roosts, etc., are as in the fanner's colony house, except that they are 

 placed about one foot lower to accommodate the heavier breeds. The 

 roosts are also set on 2x4-inch pieces in the form of a frame which is 

 hinged at the back and can be raised, thus rendering the droppings 

 boards easily accessible for frequent cleaning; it is desirable to raise 

 the roosts so as to force lazy hens to the floor. The floor is made of 

 cement and any tendency toward cold is eliminated by the liberal use 

 of straw which in addition compels the hen to exercise in her search 

 for food. For ease in cleaning all fixtures are portable and all nests and 

 boxes have sloping tops, thus eliminating the accumulation of filth on the 

 internal fixtures. This house is well adapted for commercial use as 

 its use at the college has demonstrated. 



