COOPS AND BUILDINGS FOR POULTRY 119 



Standard-size poultry-house unit. Taking 6 feet as the most 

 convenient standard for a full-height poultry house, and 1 2 feet as 

 the most appropriate depth for a house of that height, we have two 

 of the dimensions for a standard unit of size of poultry house. The 

 advantages of a square floor over others (to be explained shortly) 

 make it fitting to have the third dimension the same as the second 

 (12 feet). This makes the standard-size single house or compart- 

 ment 6 ft. X 12 ft. X 12 ft. This is a medium in form and di- 

 mensions for single houses, and nearly all the common plans of 

 houses may be treated as modifications of it ; on the whole, the 

 most convenient unit for a continuous or compartment house. 

 Diagrams of a single standard-size poultry house will be found 

 on page 121. 



The use of such a standard or basic unit in the study of poultry- 

 house plans should not be misunderstood. It may be, and often is, 

 desirable to vary these dimensions, but such a house has capacity 

 at all seasons, in all climates, for as large a flock of average adult 

 fowls as the average poultry keeper handles to advantage, is con- 

 venient for a person of any height, may be fully sunned and 

 aired by means of openings in the front, and is adapted to single- 

 compartment construction or to any number of compartments ; 

 while the measurements are such that, in nearly all dimensions of 

 lumber required in construction, 1 2-foot lengths cut to advantage. 

 A house of these dimensions is no better than one differing some- 

 what from them, but these measurements are most suitable for a 

 standard, for a basis of a comparison of features in poultry houses, 

 and for a base from which to work in designing poultry houses. Vari- 

 ations from them should be made for a definite purpose. If they 

 accomplish that purpose without introducing something objection- 

 able, they give a better style of building for the purpose. If a 

 change introduces objectionable features as well as advantages, 

 these must be considered and the right adjustment found. These 

 points will be illustrated in the descriptions and discussions of 

 various features of poultry houses in following paragraphs. 



Length of poultry structures. The length (front) of a single 

 poultry house (or section) should approximately equal its depth or 

 width. The greatest economy of space and construction is at- 

 tained in a square building. There are, however, some advantages 



