ESSENTIAL FEATURES 105 
that the closed, glass-front house was easily affected by changes of 
outside temperature and moisture, unless some adequate system 
of ventilation was provided. Such a house could not supply to 
the birds the abundance of fresh air which they need without 
causing a draft to blow directly upon them. 
It has been found that a house constructed on a plan entirely 
opposite the one just described is more efficient. All up-to-date 
poultry houses provide an abundance of fresh air during the night, 
to keep the birds in the best physical condition. This is being 
done almost entirely by the use of ‘ muslin fronts.” This feature 
is regarded as essential and 
is prevalent throughout the 
entire United States, from 
Oregon to Maine (Fig. 65). 
Thetypeof poultry house 
selected should beadapted to 
the system in use: (1) The 
colony system requires, 
under general conditions, a 
house conforming to the size j 
of the flock to be kept as a Fie. 65.— Modern type of poultry house with 
unit and single-pen construc- both muslin and glass in front, providing an 
tion, aaitheor sithontaersteh. abundance of light and ventilation without drafts. 
ing shed. (2) The semi-community system can be made most 
profitable by using a double-pen scratching shed. (8) For the com- 
munity system the long laying house, from 14 to 20 feet in depth, 
and divided into pens of convenient size, is the type most employed. 
Before building or planning a house, the needs of the birds and 
the means of attaining them should be studied carefully to deter- 
mine just what type of construction will meet the conditions best. 
The principles involved will hold true under all conditions. Some 
variations must be made to suit extreme temperature or moisture 
conditions. 
Essential Features.—The features of a good design may be 
enumerated as follows: (1) Economy; (2) convenience; (3) sun- 
light; (4) freedom from moisture; (5) abundance of ventilation; 
(6) plenty of room; (7) protection from excessive heat or cold; 
(8) proof against rats and mice; (9) sanitation. 
Economy of Construction —It is not always necessary to pur- 
chase all new lumber for poultry houses. Often old farm buildings 
or second-hand lumber can be utilized to good advantage. Only 
