122 PRINCIPLES OF POULTRY-HOUSE CONSTRUCTION 



When made, light-weight muslin should be used, canvas being 

 too heavy and cheesecloth too light. At best a great deal of 

 dust is present in the poultry house, which requires that these 

 muslin curtains be beaten or swept occasionally to clean them so 

 the air can pass through freely. Too large or too long frames are 

 objectionable, as they get out of shape easily and give trouble in 



raising and lowering them. 

 A frame about 4x5 feet 

 is a very convenient size 

 (Fig. 78). A glass sash is 

 sometimes placed in the 

 centre of the frame so that, 

 when the curtain is down 

 on stormy days, sunlight can 

 get into the house if there 

 is no other glass window. 



Material for Roofing. 

 The material used to cover 

 the roof depends almost 

 entirely upon the angle or 

 pitch. A roof with less than 

 one-third pitch should not 

 be covered with shingles, as 

 the water does not run off 

 quickly and the roof will rot. 

 A driving rain is apt to run 

 under the shingles and cause 

 the roof to leak. A good 

 grade of roofing paper may 

 be used, as it is much 

 cheaper and if properly cared 



Fio. 78. Two plans for constructing frames for 

 muslin curtains. 



for is as durable as shingles. 

 Such paper can be used on 

 roofs which are nearly flat. 

 A roof with low pitch and tight paper is warmer in summer 

 and also warmer in winter than a shingle roof. It can be made 

 cooler in the summer by providing ample ventilation from the rear 

 over the roosts (Fig. 67). 



Care of Poultry Buildings. It is a policy of economy to care- 

 fully care for poultry houses and attempt to increase the length 

 of their usefulness. This care should consist of keeping the houses in 



