The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-12-31
PROPER POULTRY HOUSING
INCREASES EGG PRODUCTION

that is comfortable in all kinds of
weather.
Deep houses are t. be preferred for
economy and comfort. The deep house per-
mits the rOsts to be placed far from open
fronts. This factor is important in cOnsid-
ering the comfort of the birds on rOOStS
during cold winter nights.
Deep houses in units up to 1OO-hen capac-
ity make possible the building Of a square
house, which means economy Of cOnstruc-
ton. Very satisfactory houses may be
constructed at a cost Of from two to three
dollars per bird for material.
The first step in poultry house cOnstruc-
ton is to secure a site adapted to poultry
raising. Such a location should have good
air and water drainage. A sandy or grav-
ely soil is to be preferred. Clay soils tend
to remain moist but this fault can be
corrected by putting in drainage tiles.
The house should face tOward the south
so as to get the maximum amount Of sun
light. Sometimes, special arrangements
have to be made to secure protection from
prevailing winds The house shOuld be so
placed as to receive full benefit from the
sun in the winter time.
In the development of the poultry in
duStry several types OF houses have been
recommended. The two that have best
stood the test of time have been the shed
roof and the brOken-span type. Either is
easy to construct and may be adapted to
a great variety of conditions. For Montana
the brOken-span type seems most desir-
dDle. Inc ITOuI p1LCu uOeS away WIFI the
long roof. This type is also stronger and
does away with the need for braces every
few feet. Another advantage is that it per-
mits the use Of a straw loft without change
OF plan.
A straw loft may be built by extending
pieces of twO-by-fOurs from the front plate
to the rafters of che long pitch, to which
they are nailed. Care should be taken to
keep them level. One erOssplece TO each
two rafters is sufficient. Boards may be
placed on these crOspieces and the com
partment above filled with straw. PrOvis.
ions must be made for the circulation OF
air by putting tWO SiX-inch flueS in the
roof, or by cutting a small opening in the
loft helps to keep the house warm by sup
plying better insulation. The straw should
be cleaned out every spring before the
building is disinfected.
The hen breathes rapidly and fresh all
IS essential to her well-being. Drafts mus
be avoided. The use of muslin curtains a
the front opening gives good results. The
curtains should be hinged so that they ma
be opened in fair weather. One square foo
of muslin should be provided for ever!
| eight feet of floor space.
In addition to the muslin curtains it il
necessary that windows be placed in tht
front of the house to give proper light. The
windows may com down to within a foo
or two of the floor. One square foot o
window space should be used for every Il
| square feet of floor space.
The foundation wall should be either o
rock or concrete, deep enough to proven
~heaving by frost and from six to u inche
!, above ground. A concrete wall six inche
wide at the bottom and four inches wild
} at the top is heavy enough for a house 70
/, 100 hens. Floors may be made of cOncrete
dirt or wood, with concrete preferred. /
> a dirt floor is used, sand or gravel is best
The top two inches should be replace
with new sand or gravel every year. ]
| board floors are used they should be Q
double thickness and at least one foe
: above the ground.
In building the house, twO-by-fOuI
a should be used for the framework. FOnl
: by-fOur stills may be made by mailing tw
twO-by-fOurs together. A house 20 fee
long and 20 feet wide may be so arrane
!. ed as to use 14-fOot t~wO-by-fOurs with
minimum of waste. The use of drop sic
ing on the outside and ceiling on the il
8 side with a layer Of building paper in bt
tween makes a warm, comfortable house.