L se 2X4 hemlock studs set approximately 18 inches on centers. The 
height of the studs in the front to be 7 feet 10 inches, and in the rear 
5 feet 10 inches. Place a stud at each side of the door, at each corner of 
the building, and at each side of the windows. The studs being erected 
and made perfectly plumb, hold them temporarily in position by braces 
stitched at the top. 
The sheathing should be preferably 8 or 10 inches wide by f-inch 
thick. It should be nailed across the studs horizontally, beginning at 
the wall head and working up. Allow the lowest board to hang down over 
the concrete 1 inch to prevent water from working in under the sill. 
All sheathing boards must be laid with edges abutting tightly against 
each other, thus making a flush wall. Each board should be secured with 
three 8-penny wire nails to each stud it crosses. 
Openings in the Walls 
The plan shows 1 door, 2 windows, and 2 openings (10 inches by 14 
inches) for the chickens to get into the yard. Leave these openings while 
sheathing the building. 
Over both the windows run a beam of two 2X4’s securely spiked 
together with 10-penny nails. The studs at each side of the windows must 
be cut down 6 inches. The beam over the windows will be 11 feet long, 
each end resting on a 2X4 stud and spiked to it. 
The sheathing board in front of this beam must run the full length of 
the building and be securely nailed with 10-penny nails to the beam as a 
reinforcement. 
The window sill should be 10 feet long and made of 2X4 selected 
hemlock. The upper edge should be 3 feet above the floor level and 
securely toe-nailed to the stud at each end with 10-penny nails. 
Between the 2 windows place a vertical 2X4 stud with the 4-inch side 
facing the front. This will leave 1 inch space in front and 1 inch space 
at the back for the sashes to slide in horizontally. 
The muslin frames should be made of f in. X 2 in. planed pine, halved 
and braced at the corners. Each frame should be covered with muslin, 
folded over and tacked with carpet tacks 4 inches apart. These frames 
should be made to fit the opening snugly, so that when closed they will 
be air-tight. 
Cover the entire opening of both windows with 1-inch mesh, galvanized 
wire netting, securely nailed with f staples all around. 
The chicken doors should be 10 inches wide and 14 inches high above 
the sill. At each side of each opening nail a strip 2 inches wide and 2 feet 
high, of f-inch material. On top of this nail a strip of the same height 
and thickness, but 3 inches wide. This will provide a channel or guide 
for a sliding door 12 inches wide and 15 inches high, which should be fitted 
inside the strips. On the upper edge of each door fasten a screw eye, 
and at a convenient height in the wall fasten a hook, so the door can be 
held open. 
Over the door opening run a 2X4 lintel, projecting 1 inch below the 
top of the door. Finish the edges of the sheathing at the sides of the door 
Studs 
Sheathing 
Windows 
Sashes 
Chicken 
Doors 
Door of 
House 
19 
