36 OPEN-AIR POULTRY HOUSES 



apart unless yon have a middle partition which supports roof, when 

 they may be placed 3 feet apart. Bear in mind that the roof has 

 to he strong enough to hold the weight of snow in winter. Rafters 

 should be notchecl to fit plate (see illustration), but do not notch 

 too deep as it will weaken rafter. 



Either eight or ten-penny nails may be used in fastening studs 

 in place. The larger nails are easier to place to hold. I like to 

 spike plates and strap to studs and to spike rafters in place. It 

 is easier to do that way if you are working alone. When putting 

 up the frame get all sills level and the studs plumb. Fasten them 

 in position with brace timbers until you can nail them firmly in 

 jiosition. Keep the frame well braced and be sure that corners 

 are all plumb until you have stiffened the building sufficiently 

 by laying covering boards enough to hold all in place. 



Framing is the difficult part. If you get your frame right, the 

 boarding in is easy. 



Eaves. Before you put up your frame decide whether you want 

 to make projecting (or overhanging) eaves, or to make flush joints 

 at eaves when boarding in and get your overhang with shingles. 



It is easier to make the flush joint eaves tight and wind proof. 

 To do this the rafters are cut short so that they are just flush 

 with the outer edge of the plates. The roof boards come down 

 flush with ends of rafters and the side boards come up flush with 

 the top of roof board. On this joint at lower edge of roof a 

 double course of shingles is laid to break joints and to form an 

 overhang of 3 inches beyond side boarding, forming the eaves 

 and carrying the drip away from the building. 



To make projecting eaves the rafters are cut long to extend 

 from 6 to 8 inches beyond the side walls front and rear. The 

 side boards are put on up to level of top of rafters and planed to 

 fit roof boards, which are laid to end of rafters and to cover a 

 narrow finish board nailed to end of rafters. It is a difficult 

 joint to make tight and is visually blocked still further by boards 

 fitted between rafters; placed over the shingles or siding fabric 

 and made as tight as possible. 



Side Walls. Double walls with "dead air" spaces and all such 

 expensive nonsense are not necessary for buildings intended for 

 breeding and laying stock. Leave the double wall for the brooder 

 house, which must be insulated in order to save waste of heat 

 and coal. 



A single wall is the best for the poultry house and it costs less. 

 In climates where the winters are mild the side walls may be 

 boarded up and down and made of matched boards or of common 



