116 PRINCIPLES OF POULTRY-HOUSE CONSTRUCTION 



floor space, but has not been used to any great extent, as it does 

 not provide ample head room. It is sometimes used for small, 

 single-pen houses where small flocks are kept, if it is not necessary 

 to enter the house to perform all the work. 



Foundation. An efficient foundation adds durability and aids 

 in keeping the house dry. The materials used are brick, stone, 

 concrete, and wooden posts. Posts of locust, cedar, or other 

 durable wood may be used on a stone or cinder footing. They 

 are apt to settle and are not so durable as masonry walls. They do 



FIG. 74. Four plans for foundation and floor construction. A, Floor flush with top 

 of sill; B, finished floor flush with bottom of sill, the latter being laid in cement; C, founda- 

 tion wall extending above floor level; D, construction suitable for board floor. 



not aid in keeping out rats. The most efficient plan is a solid wall 

 of masonry. The foundation should be built deep enough to pre- 

 vent heaving by frost and to help keep out water. >It should sup- 

 port the building without any settling. ' The foundation should also 

 be economical as to cost of labor and material. A brick or stone 

 wall, especially the former, is expensive from a standpoint of 

 labor, as the brick and stone have to be laid in mortar by experi- 

 enced masons. Stone or brick walls built loose are not permanent 

 and, therefore, not desirable. The concrete foundation, if properly 

 built, furnishes the most durable wall. Care should be taken to 

 have the underdrainage deep enough, the foundation course prop- 

 erly tamped, and the mixtures rich in cement (Fig. 74). 



