130 



PRACTICE OF POULTRY-HOUSE CONSTRUCTION 



All outside walls and roof are single boarded, preferably of 

 eight-inch tongue-and-groove yellow pine. White pine can be 

 used, but is much more expensive. The roof and back wall should 

 be covered with a good patent roofing paper; all joints should be 

 carefully lapped and cemented. 



The muslin curtains in the front wall are hinged at the top and 

 can be lifted up. The 3x5 foot windows are hinged at the side 

 and open as indicated on the floor plan. One window in each pen 

 should be so constructed that part of the wall will open when 

 desired, thus making a combination door and window. This will 

 greatly facilitate cleaning.* 



The dropping boards, perches, and nests are best arranged on 

 the back wall. The perches are hinged to the wall so that they 



FlQ. 84. — Frame of standard niultifile-unit la.MHK house — light, cheap 



may be hooked up when cleaning. The nests are darkened by a 

 hinged door in front, which may be let down when it is desired to 

 remove the eggs. 



The dividing partition between the units is built of boards and 

 extends from the back wall to within six feet of the front wall ; the 

 remaining space is left entirely open. This protects the birds from 

 any drafts when on the roosts. When desired, portable light-wire 

 partitions may be used to separate the units. 



A large dry-mash hopper should be built in this middle parti- 

 tion (Fig. 83). If four or more units are built, it is necessary to 

 have only one hopper in the centre of each two units, the other 

 dividing partition being used for nesting space. The construction 

 of the hopper is shown in the following chapter. 



*Thi8 general arrangement of glass and muslin openings was early recom- 

 mended by Cornell University. It has since been generally adopted aa the 

 most efficient arrangement. 



