COOPS AND BUILDINGS FOR POULTRY 129 



be heated, it is necessary to use double walls. For open-front or 

 fresh-air houses all that is necessary is to make the roof, back, and 

 ends wind- and rain-proof. The front need not be of tight con- 

 struction ; indeed, it has not been shown that, for birds not easily 

 affected by frost, there is any advantage in making the house with 

 perfectly tight roof, back, and ends. On the whole, the present 

 tendency is to make all kinds and sizes of structures for poultry 

 of the lightest construction that will serve. 



Preservation of structures. When undressed lumber is used with- 

 out covering, no paint or wash is required, nor is it necessary to 

 put dressing or preservative of any kind on shingles. The wood 

 will last long enough without paint to make the unpainted building 

 cheaper in the long run, for such rough buildings cost more to 

 paint than others. When dressed lumber is used for exteriors, it is 

 advisable to paint it with oil and lead or mineral paints. There is 

 no advantage in using dressed lumber unless it is painted. Sash 

 should be kept well painted. Roofing papers last very much longer 

 if coated with paint or tar about once in two or three years. The 

 manufacturer's instructions as to the kind of coating to use 

 should be followed, for some roofings require special dressings. 

 No treatment for preservation is necessary on ordinary rough in- 

 teriors, or on smooth surfaces of lumber used for frame or sides, but 

 if any doors or frames have closely fitted, glued joints, it is better 

 to keep them painted. Whitewash has been extensively used in 

 poultry houses, but as a cleanser, disinfectant, and insecticide 

 rather than for preservative properties. Many poultrymen will not 

 whitewash interiors of houses, claiming that, as the whitewash 

 accumulates on the walls, it holds moisture in damp weather to 

 an objectionable extent. 



Structures for different kinds of poultry. Poultry coops and 

 houses are all designed on the same general principles and vary 

 little in appearance or arrangement. The same coop will answer 

 for small chicks, ducks, turkeys, or geese, but a brood of any of the 

 others will so quickly outgrow a coop that would serve for chicks 

 until weaned that it is advisable to provide larger coops or shelters 

 for them from the outset. The same construction of individual 

 brooder or brooder house will answer for young chickens and 

 young ducks, except that for young chickens the partitions must 



