MATERIALS FOR LAYING HOUSES 111 
house, ranging from fourteen to twenty feet deep and from forty 
to over one hundred feet long where large numbers are kept in one 
flock. The last is the most economical unit where eggs are of 
primary consideration (Fig. 68): 
Simplicity of Design.—In planning and building poultry houses 
it should be the idea to have the design and construction as simple 
as possible. All extra trimming and ornamental features add 
greatly to the cost and do not enhance the efficiency. Quality in 
construction should also be considered, to make all permanent 
buildings as durable as possible. Movable structures of small 
Long House 
cron eect 120" ——~ —~-- ~~~ => 5 = == = 2 
le---/6'-— 3} 
k-— /6--— 
Small Colon ony House 
k-—— 20°. '- —— > 
kK -— /6—- | 
Fia. 68.—Three types of laying houses. The long house is used for small-unit flocks 
with intensive methods for breeding purposes. The large colony house is for large flocks 
for market eggs. The small colony house is used for breeding in small flocks. 
size should be built strong enough to stand the handling and mov- 
ing to which they are subjected. In some sections it is the practice 
to build extremely cheap houses directly on the ground; in such 
cases the walls and posts rot and the building is not very long lived. 
This practice cannot be generally recommended, but it may prove 
practical where low-grade lumber can be secured at low prices. 
Materials for Laying Houses.—Materials used for poultry 
houses are: Wood, hollow tile, brick, concrete blocks, and solid 
concrete. The first two are the only ones which prove good for 
the laying house. Brick and concrete walls are apt to make the 
interior of the house damp and cold in the winter. Roup has been 
very prevalent where the walls were of concrete. Concrete-block 
