CHAPTER IV 



Poultry Houses 

 Open Air Houses Most Satisfactory 



HE open air poultry house is now conceded by 

 nearly all prominent poultry men to be the most 

 satisfactory for the laying flocks. On page — will 

 be found illustrated the type of laying houses that 

 are used on Sheppard's Chicken Farm. This build- 

 ing Is 322 feet long and can be built any length 

 desired. It is 20 feet deep. One half of the front 

 is open. The opening is covered with one-inch 

 poultry netting on the outside; frames covered with a medium grade 

 cotton are worked from the inside so that the attendant can raise 

 and lower them and leave as much space as is desired. During the 

 fine weather these spaces are left entirely open. During the cold 

 weather, when the thermometer ranges from zero to 20 degrees below, 

 the curtains are kept down all the way. They also keep out rain, 

 snow or strong wind. There is no glass in the entire building, 

 although there would be no objection to having a glass window 

 every twenty feet, which would let in more light in case of stormy 

 weather when the curtains are kept down. There are very few days 

 that the curtain cannot be raised, and I find It makes a very practical 

 house without the glass. The foundation is made of cement and runs 

 below the ground level eighteen inches, and is fifteen inches above. 

 This stops all drafts and makes a comfortable place for the birds. 

 For the first two or three years I would recommend the earth floor. 

 After that it would be necessary to replace the earth with fresh dirt 

 or put in a wood or cement floor. The roof is made of a good grade 

 of paper roofing, the sides are built of double V siding and lined 

 with tar paper on the inside. The partitions are twelve feet apart, 

 and every fourth section is built solid of boards, air-tight. This stops 

 all drafts. Like all other poultry buildings, the laying house should 

 face the south. The front of the building is eight feet in height over 

 the foundation, and the back of the building is four feet high. The 

 dropping-boards are put in against the back wall and run the full 

 length of the building. They are about three feet from the ground. 

 Cotton curtains are placed in front of the roosts to protect the fowls 

 in extreme weather. 



The studding is put in twenty-two inches apart. A door is placed 



