Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-12-07


cultural Experiment Station)
The Missouri poultry house has been
designed by the poultry department Of
the University of Missouri, college of
agriculture to meet the demand for a
house of such size as to accommodate
the average farm flock and also be
adapted to Missouri conditions.
Since the average farm poultry flock
is from 100 to $50 hens, this house is
20 feet square, the square house being
the most economical to construct and
affording a maximum amount of floor
space. The ridge of the roof runs
north and south, the roof being of
equal spans. The walls are five feet
at the caves. It is II feet high at the
peak. The south side contains door
in the center and window 2 by 3
feet on each side of the door. These
windows are placed high enough to
afford a 30-inch opening beneath, one
foot above the floor and extending the
entire length each side of the door.
This opening is covered with wire
screen which keeps the hens in and
the spurious out.
Light.
On the east and west sides are two
windows each 2 feet high and feet
wide. On the north end next to the
floor is six-light, by 10-inch glass
window. An arrangement which adj
mits light from all directions has de-
cided advantages because the light is
so distributed that there are no dark
corners, thus discouragng the laying
of eggs on the floor. Also, when ligh.
comes from one direction the hen al
ways faces in that direction when she
scratches. In consequence, there is a
gradual movement of the litter toward
the back side of the house. When light
is evenly distributed this trouble is
eliminated. One hen scratches in one
direction and another in another and
the litter never piles up on the dark
side of the house, because there is no
dark side in such house.
Ventilation.
Another decided advantage in hav-
ing openings on all sides is the excel
lent summer ventilation which can be
afforded by removing the windows.
This is an important point and should
not be overlooked in constructing a
house under Missouri conditions. Sum-
mer ventilation is as important as
winter ventilation.
During the winter the success of
ventilation of this type depends upon
having the east, west, north, and roof
entirely alright so that wind will drive
into the house only short distance
and never back to the roosts which
are on the north side. There is a grad
ual movement of the air from the in
side out, thus insuring an abundance
of ventilation without drafts. The
open-front ventilation has an advan-
tage over all other ventilation because
it requires no adjusting, never plugs
up and always works. This type of
ventilation will adapt itself to temper
allure changes without the constant at
tention of the attendant and in this
way reduces to a minimum the labor
of caring for the house.
Walls.
The walls are OF car S1dlng, running
up and down, which forms Alright and
attractive wall. The roof is made of
shiplap covered with shingles.
Floor.
The floor is made of dirt which is
an economical and durable type. Dirt
floors are very efficient If properly
constructed. In constructing dirt
floor there should be wall six to eight
inches high. A fill of four inches of
coarse material, such as cinders,
should be made to prevent damp floors
from the rise of water. On top of the
tamped cinders should be placed two
or three inches of damp clay which
should be packed well and then permit
ted to dry SO that it will harden.
On top of the clay should be placed
half an inch of loose dirt. The clay
prevents the dirt and straw from mix
ing with the cinders to such an extent
as to cause the moisture to rise. A
covering of foot or more of straw
will keep the floor dry at all times.
The greatest objections to dirt floors
are ID the possible invasion by rats