34 OPEN-AIR POULTRY HOUSES 



used nnder the joint where shingles and fmisli hoards meet. Finish 

 hoards or a frame will he needed around doors and windows, and it 

 is well to rabhet the top finish hoard of door or window to allow 

 shingles to lap over it and keep out the weather. 



Where shingles are used paint the finish boards, doors and 

 window sash, but do not paint the shingles; let them weather. 

 Weathered shingles will last longer than painted ones and I 

 think that thej look better. 



Make j'our building to use and wear, save on the cost where 

 yorr can without sacrifice of strength or durability. 



Nails. Where %-inch box hoard stock is used I prefer six- 

 penny cement coated wire nails for boarding in, and three-penny 

 galvanized cut nails or cement coated wire nails for fastening 

 on the shingles. The galvanized nails will last longest. If 

 boarding in stock is %' or 1-inch thick boards, use eight-penny cut 

 nails to put on the boards and four-penny galvanized cut nails for 

 laying the shingles. 



For frame where eight-penn}' nails are not sufficiently large to 

 hold when "toe-nailed in," use 4i/i"inch or thirty-penny wire 

 spikes. Ten-penny nails may be used in framing. 



It takes from 4 to 5 pounds of nails to lay a thousand shingles. 

 About 30 pounds of eight-penny nails are required for each 

 thousand feet of covering hoards. 



Floors. The character of the soil on which you locate your 

 poultry house should determine the kind of floor. Exception to 

 this rule where for any reason it is desired to elevate the house 

 and have a run beneath it. Where house is elevated you must have 

 a double board floor. 



On light sandy, leachy, well-drained soils an earth floor will 

 answer ever}^ purpose and prove satisfactory, but it will not be 

 rat-nrocf. 



On heavy or clayey soils, or in any location that does not drain 

 well, or where sub-soil is such that it is difficult to keep an earth 

 floor sweet and wholesome, then use a raised board floor (that 

 you can get a good ratter dog under), or lay a good solid cement 

 floor laid on a bed of rock or cinders or on a layer of two-ply 

 tarred paper. 



Cement floors are best and may be made six parts good coarse 

 sharp sand and clean gravel to one part cement (parts by meas- 

 ure). Mix well dry and do not wet until ready to use. Use 

 just enough water to have it wet through and to handle well. 

 Tamp it well in place. Make the cement floor 2% to 3 inches thick 

 inside of house and about 6 inches thick under sills for foundation. 



