

HOUSES 



labor required to care for the swine herd. What is considered as one man's 

 convenience, however, may be an inconvenience for his neighbor. Yet the 

 following suggestive features are all more or less valuable in hog house 

 building: 



"Roof doors in small houses and alleys in large houses for quick and easy 

 feeding, removal of litter or manure, and handling of herd. 



"Bins for storage of feeds. 



"Doors and windows which open or close easily and quickly. 



"Room for supplies and appliances, such as veterinary medicines and 

 instruments, feed cooker, water heater, stove, sleeping cot, and so on. 



"Abundant water supply for drinking and flushing. 



"Ventilators, readily adjustable. 



"Litter carriers for removing manure. 



"Shade devices, handily managed. 



"Attached runners, for quick moving of small houses. 



"Dipping tank, in or near house. 



"Troughs arranged so as to be filled and cleaned with dispatch without 

 interference from hogs. 



"Feeding floor, located in or near by the house. 



"Breeding crate and ringing chute under cover and near at hand, for 

 winter service especially. 



"Tile drainage for flush water, which may be conserved by running into 

 farm liquid manure tank. 



"Minor equipment, such as hurdles, automatic waterers, self-feeders, bar- 

 rel or other storage for slops, and other devices. 



"Serviceability To be useful every day in the year means that a house 

 must be suitable for farrowing time, for summer shade, and for winter protec- 

 tion. It is economical at times to use the hog house to shelter sheep, espe- 

 cially ewes with lambs, calves, or other domestic animals, thus adding to all 

 around serviceability. However, that is not usually advisable. The more 

 continuous service one secures the less the daily cost for shelter; to obtain a 

 maximum of housing at a minimum of expense is the economic and practical 

 objective goal. 



"Sufficient Size to Shelter Advantageously The capacity should be con- 

 sistent with the number, weigjit, and class of hogs to be housed in the various 

 seasons. To avoid overcrowding, have plenty of floor and overhead space; 

 ventilation and comfort is thus promoted. 



"Reasonably Low First Cost This should be consistent with the service 

 rendered. 



"Minimum Cost of Maintenance This charge may be systematically com- 

 pared in various types of construction by placing them on the basis of the 

 cost per annum, per sow, per litter, or per hog in general. A maximum of 

 service for a minimum of upkeep charges is the ideal to work toward. 



"Pleasing Appearance A satisfactory house harmonizes with its sur- 

 roundings, it is neat in architectural design and sensible in construction. Well 

 chosen paint lends much to its attractiveness. In general, to add to, rather 

 than detract from, the appearance of the farmstead should be the builder's 

 ambition. 



Seven 



