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 3 x 5 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 
Fig. 84.—Frame of standard multiple-unit laying house—light, cheap, yet durable. 
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. 
*This general arrangement of glass and muslin openings was early recom- 
mended by Cornell University. It has since been generally adopted as the 
most efficient arrangement. 
