134 PRACTICAL POULTRY PRODUCTION 



ber. Hollow tile, brick, cement, and even stone, are occa- 

 sionally used in building poultry houses, but in most instances 

 such material not only proves to be too costly but Ukewise 

 is not as satisfactory as lumber. The most common fault 

 found in houses built of hollow tile, brick, and cement is 

 that they retain the dampness, which is detrimental to the 

 health of fowls. In the extreme northern sections of the 

 country, where the thermometer registers as low as 40° below 

 zero during the winter months, houses properly constructed 

 of lumber have given mostsatisfactoryresults. (Seepage 142.) 

 Even in such parts of the country where, owing to the scar- 

 city of timber, other building materials can be purchased 

 as cheaply as lumber, it is advisable to use lumber. 



Size and dimensions of the house. The size of the poul- 

 try house will depend on the number of fowls to be kept. 

 The amount of floor space per bird is dependent somewhat 

 on the system of housing used. When colony houses are used 

 in a mild climate and hens have free range throughout 

 most of the year, 2 to 3 square feet per bird should be 

 allowed. With such a system and in sections where the 

 birds are confined to the house during most of the winter 

 months at least 4 to 5 square feet per bird should be provided. 

 From 3 to 5 square feet per bird should also be allowed 

 in a continuous house, depending on the number of fowls. 

 Small houses should provide more space per bird than large 

 houses. In larger houses there is a greater area in 

 which the birds can exercise. The house should not be 

 so deep that the sunlight will not reach the rear 

 portion of the building at some time during the day. As to 

 the height, a low house is more easily kept warm in the win- 

 ter than one with a high roof. The roof, however, should not 

 be so low as to make it inconvenient for the attendant. 



Foundation and floors. When a permanent continu- 

 ous house is built, the most satisfactory foundation is con- 



