rem AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT snmow BULLETIN NO. 207 JANUARY, 1917 DIVISION OF POULTRY ‘HUSBANDRY OPoultry Houses and Poultry Equipment for Texas B. YOUNGBLOOD, DIRECTOR, COLLEGE STATION, BRAZOS COUNTY, TEXAS. [Blank Page in Original Bulletin] TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT smlliiiil BULLETIN NO. 207 JANUARY, I917 DIVISION OF POULTRY HUSBANDRY Poultry Houses and Poultry Equipment for Texas BY- R. N. HARVEY, Poultry Husbandman, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. J. C. OLSEN, Agricultural Engineer, Extension Service. F. lV. KAZMEIER, Poultryman, Extension Service. T. J. CONWAY, Assistant Professor of Animal Husbandry, in Charge of Poultry Husbandry, Agricultural and Blechanical College of Texas. I a . , ‘lll v ‘ll lnllvinlil‘ 4 1., pl 1 I l l“ uiljlgfiva“. l l“.-._° “UM 1.!|. l‘ l l I V I l ll u l v ' l * u .. llllli I , , . I I I I ,. ' ' O o u Q n o ‘ l‘ ' B. YOIINGBLOOD, fDInExYroR. COLLEGE STATION, BRAZOS COUNTY, TEXAS. E AUSTIN, TEXAS: VON BOECKMANN-JONES 00., PRINTERS, 1917 I AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS W. B. BIZZELL, A. M., D. C. L.,~ President TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Joim I. GuioN, President, Ballinger. ._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Term expires 191 L. J. HART, Vice-President, San Antonio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Term expires 191 E. H. ASTIN, Bryan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Term expires 191 J. R. KUBENA, Fayetteville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Term expires 192 A. B. Davidson, Cuero. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Term expires 192 WILL A. MiLLER J R., Amarillo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Term expires 192 JOHN C. DICKSON, Paris. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Term CXPILIBS 192; T. E. BATrLE, Marlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Term expires 192; H. A. BREIHAN, Bartlett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Term expires 192; MAIN STATION COMMITTEE L. J. HART, Chairman WILL A. MiLLER, JR. GOVERNING BOARD, ‘STATE SUBSTATIONS P. L. Downs, President, Temple. . . . . _. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Term expires 191‘. CnARLEs RoeAN, Vice-President, Austin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Term expires 192.‘ W. P. HOBBY, Beaumont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Term expires 1911 J. E. BOOG-SCOTT, Coleman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Term expires 1921 STATION STAFF* ADMINISTRATION DIVISION OF POULTRY HUSBANDRY R. N. HARVEY, B. S., Poultryman in Charm DIVISION OF PLANT BREEDING E. P. HUMBERT, Ph. D., Plant Breeder i. Charge J. S. MocFoRD, B. S., Graduate Assistant DIVISION OF DAIRYING J. E. Harper, M. S., Dairgman in Charge DIVISION OF FEED CONTROL SERVICE J AMES SULLivAN, Executive Secretary B. YOUNGBLOOD, M. S.,_Director A. B. CoNNER, B. S., _Vice Director CHAs. A. FELKER, Chief Clerk A. S. WARE, Secretary DIVISION OF VETERINARY SCIENCE M. FRANCIS, V S., Veterinarian in Charge _ _ H. SCHMIDT, D. V. M., Veterinarian DIVISION OF CHEMISTRY _ _ Go S. FRAPS, ‘Ph. Do, Chelnlst U! Charge; J_ H_ ROGERS’ Inspector $1018 Chemlsi _ " _ W H. W000, Inspector‘ W. T. P. SPRoTT, B. S., Assistant Chemist '11 H_ Won-BBS, Inspecm, H. LEBESON, M. S., Assistant Chemist S, D. PEARCE, Inspector CHéAhRLEStBUCHWALD, M. S., Assistant w_ M_ \VICKES, Inspector . emis DIVISION OF HORTICULTURE _ H NEss, M. S., Horticulturist in Charge g SUBSTATION NO. 1: Beeville, Bee Count; E. E. BINFQRD, B. S., Superintendent SUBSTATION NO. 2: Troup, Smith Count; W‘ S‘ Hotchkiss’ Hortwultunsl W. S. _HOTCHKISS, Superintendent DIVISION OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY . - J. C. BURNS, B. S., Animal Husbandman, snBsTéogllgy NO’ 3' Angleton’ Brazona Feedi"? Investigations N. E. WINTERS, B. S., Superintendent J. M. JoNEs, A. M., Animal Husbandman, Breeding Investigations SUBSTCATION NO. 4: Beaumont, Jetfersoi ounty DIVISION 0F ENTOMOLOGY H. H. LAUDE, B. S., Superintendent B. Paddock, M. S.,_Entomologist in _ J. REINHARD, B. S., Assistant Ento- mvlvawl so BSTATION No. s: Denton, Denton Count] County Apiary Inspectors H. McDowELL, B. S., Superintendent R c Abernathy Ladonia; William Atch- SUBSTATION NO- 7= 91'1"» Didsens C0111"! ‘ley’. Mathis; _]_'W_ E_ Basham, gal-Stow; R. E. DICKSON, B. S., Superintendent Victor Boeer. lourdanton; T._ W. Biirle- SUBSTATION NO. s: Lubbock, Lubbock son, Waxahachi.e; W. C. Collier, Gpliad; County _ W. CothrajhhRmgml; G. F.SDav_1dS0I1, R. E. KARPER, B. S., Superintendent easanton; o n onegan, _ eguin; _ : , R. J. B. S“B§.T\%;F5‘Z§.ii2,1%.s.f’?.?;;.%§§;§§.?°““‘- vine‘ N‘ G’ LeGear’ Wac‘); R‘ A‘ Lmle’ SUBSTATION NO. 10= (Feeding and Breed- " . - . B ; - H- . . . gfgiilsigiils,lgvaljdeigiafirlgl?Talllirfkrlicioria; ing Substation) College Station, Brazos - County ‘Iiilteriliieleasnmiiiigiig/IWII: Il-zlflgialiiizia‘, lgirzggirsifig; E._R. SPENcE, B. S., Animal H usbandman, W. P. Bankston, Buffalo; F. C. Belt, l" Charge of Farm . . . ysletéh G. F. JORDAN, B. S., Scientific Assistant DIVISION OF AGRONQMY SUBSTATION NO. 11: Nacogdoches, Nacog- A. ' ' doches County A. ECEIFSIIEIIRI’, SS2’, ‘Aggrriirrliiilizliliitt m Charge G. T. McNEss, Superintendent LOUIS WERMELSKIRCHEN, B. S., Agronomist DIVISION OF PLANT PATHOLOGY AND . PHYSIOLOGY R. W. EDWARDS, B. S., Superintendent J. J. TAUBENHAUS, Ph._ D., Plant Patholo- SUBSTATION NO. 14: Sonora, Sutton gist and Physiologist in Charge _ County _ A. D. JOHNSON, B. S., Graduate Assistant E. M. PETERS, B. S., Acting Superintenden CLERICAL ASSISTANTS J. M. ScHAEnEL, Stenographer C. L. DURsT, Mailing Clerk DAISY LEE, Registration Clerk A. T. JACKSON, Stenographer W. F. CHRISTIAN, Stenographer . CARL ABELL, Scientific Assistant ELIZABETH WALKER, Stenographer F. C. MARCJULIDES, Stenographer E. E. KILBoRN, Stenographer *As of February 1, 1917. . "In cooperation with United States Department of Agriculture. man County **SUBSTATION NO. 12: Chillicothe, Harde- i CONTENTS. ——— PAGE Foreword . . . .t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 The Farm Poultry House . . . . . . . . . . . . ..y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5 Old or Unused Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5 The Shed Roof Type. .\ . . . . . ., . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 The Floor .; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5 The Foundation Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 The Siding and Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . '2’ Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *2’ Feed Hoppers and Water Containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Gable Roof Brooder Colony House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 The Shed Roof Brooder Colony House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Outdoor Feeding Hopper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i . . . . . 19 Another Inside Dry Mash Hopper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 [Blank Page in Original Bulletin] POULTRY HOUSES AND POULTRY EQUIPMENT FOR TEXAS. if FOREWORD. Due to the fact that many demands for poultry house plans have been received, the following suggestions have been made. It is to be (listinctly understood that the plans as shown are not considered suit-- able for all parts of Texas. But this type of house, with modifications of structure to fulfill needs imposed by climatic conditions, may be used satisfactorily in almost any locality. " THE FARM POULTRY HOUSE. OLD or. UNUSED BUILDINGS. Many times it is possible to convert another building, which is‘ no longer needed, into a poultry house. 1f such is the case, it is usually’ cheaper to alter the building and make it into a. good poultry house. Frequently it is possible to secure a satisfactory house in this manner. THE SHED ROOF TYPE. The house, as shown by the accompanying drawings (Figures 1 to 8, inclusive), is designed to meet the needs of the general farm which keeps a. flock of about 100 hens. It is a permanent structure sixteen feet wide and twenty long, with front and rear walls of seven and a half and four and a half feet, respectively. The front faces the south “or southeast. The roof is covered ivith a good grade of roof paper. The whole structure is anchored to the concrete walls by bolts (Fig- ure 1) embedded in the concrete and passing through the sills of the floor. THE FLOOR. The floor may be made of sand, hard clay, wood, or concrete. Oon-‘ crete is, of course, the most durable, easiest to clean and the most sani- tary. In order to prevent moisture from coming up through the floor, it is raised a few inches above the ground line (Figure 1). This con- struction should be used for the floors of clay sand with a. layer of. old boards between the top of the fill and the bottom of the floor. In addition, the clay floor should be wetted and tamped, forming a hard surface. - The board floor should be raised a few inches above the ground by joists. It should be made without cracks if possible. Tongue and groove- flooring is preferred. Shiplap, however, makes a satisfactory floor. It is recommended that the upper side of ‘the flooring be dressed. It is easier to clean. 6 TEXAs AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. THE FOUNDATION WALLS. The foundation should be of concrete (Figure 1), as its use lends stability and permanence. Moreover, it prevents rats and other animals from -- getting under board, sand, and clay floors. Concrete makes the best walls. The sills can then be firmly anchored by gxl0-inch bolts (Figure 1). These bolts coming below the floor serve not only anchors, but as reinforcement. / Cone/eh: floor.- / par)‘ cemenf. Z . '5 sand. 4 . Is grarefi Tr-on/e/ surface careful/ye S/opc f/oor 2" fawn/d fro/n‘- Far‘ base use 5' of’ bro/wen sfone, c/hders, y/"a/efi or c car/of 2'94" sfud Z’? ¢" ,5 1' // y2II'/On Ground /I'n6 7 Fou/voA r/o/v nos/ras- Co/vcnsr: FL 00R /s U550, Figizre l.——La}'ing house, showing construction of footing and Walls. l-l/‘flyed solid door and pea/fry nef-f/hg. Fpo/vv" ELEV/v 7'1 0N Figure 2.—Lai_ving house, showing finished front. POULTRY HoUsEs AND POULTRY. EQUIPMENT FOR TEXAS. 7 i \ 250”! 810" sa/id door .a/7d pou/lr, Heff/‘ny. END E LE vA ‘r/o/v Figure 3.—La.ying house, showing finished end. THE SIDING AND VENTILATION. Drop siding is used throughout. Shiplap makes a serviceable siding, but is considered inferior to the drop siding. ~ One of the hardest problems to solve is the lighting and ventilation problem. To keep out rain in Winter, yet let in light, and during the summer keep the fowls cool and exclude the direct rays of the sun. One foot above the floor on the front side (Figure 8) an opening one foot wide and covered with one-inch mesh poultry netting admits air at‘ all times. Solid hinged doors on all four sides (Figure 2) may be modified to suit various conditions. Thus the front opening may be placed higher and the door removed, using one piece of siding placed at an angle to the side of the building to turn the rain. i Other changes a if (lesired will occur to the builder. EQUIPMENT. All appliances should be made movable, so that they can be taken out, cleaned and disinfected. (A) Nests (Figure 8)—The nests are placed in a double tier at the end of the building. The nests are 12-14 inches, and open in the rear for the entrance of the fowls. The partitions between the nests are one foot high, or touch the nest cover. (B) Dropping Boards and Perches (Figures 4 and 5).——The drop- ping boards are placed at the back of the house. They are supported on 2X6-inch stringers. They should fit tightly together. TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIOX. J P/y prepared r00 f/hg / "J/z ea fh/ng Z ‘Q6 ~ Pqffer- 6 M)’: or cord f0 210651,; S, supporf- raoof ' 2 '1' 1 "Jib/s 1k" M_-;1--—.. c9022 arena/v - P005715 A/w i DPOPP/N a BOA 20 360/: 1;’- '= I "0 n Figure 4.——Laying house, shmving detailed construction 0f perches and dropping b0ard.=. /6’ o” POULTRY HOUSES AND POULTRY EQUIPMENT FOR TEXAS. 5 Maia/- sfond r100»? PLA 1v- Figure 5.—-——Laying house, ‘showing floor flan. P/a/e - Z s. zi4" F/Po/vr FRAM/NG Figure G.—La.ying house, showing front framing. 9 10 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. Elva FRA M! N6‘ X Figure I.—La.ying house, showing end framing. Q 3 t’ t‘ l‘. § t r 3 \ \ / Q o . é \ ‘s s / o l‘ i 3; a: e Q °~ q u ‘Q °" .5 x = y, I m Q 1,13 ~° \ ll/I N‘ i\ Q. f‘; § b‘ ‘ /V.c'_s7t U] c“ Q h i‘ z /2"—-—1 X ‘ W a ‘~ i x" Q ‘k if 0 VI ‘J s ° q t N551 <3 u Q .2 ‘fi 1o “j F?” t‘: Q.) 57 2T4’ “'2 >-i x g é / \ , n g; \ w \\ Z-4——' \ , Q Q 3 : ;-_ Drop s/c/Ing o “o in - i /ioor' C9055 Szcr/o/v or NEsrs. Figure 8.—Laying house. Detailed construction of nests. POULTRY HoUsEs AND POULTRY EQUIPMENT FOR TEXAS. 11 W210i r zzd-q r210" 4C [Y Doc» r Open i119. PE'H/-? FRAMING Figure 9.—La-ying house. Rear framing. The perches are swung by wires from the rafters (Figure 4). This arrangement makes it easy t0 hook them up out of the way when clean- ing the dropping‘ boards. They are built of 2X2-inch pieces with the upper corners smoothed and rounded. to make them more comfortable for the birds. Fame HOPPERS AND WATER CONTAINERS. The feed hoppers andwater dishes are placed on platforms of 1x2- inch slats 18 to 20 inches above the floor (Figure 5). This allows the floors to be free from obstruction and gives more room to the hens. It allows the floors to be cleaned without removing any part of the equipment. The Water dish is covered with tin, and slats keep the fowls from ivalking in or perching over the water GABLE ROOF BROODER COLONY HOUSE. The gable roof brooder colony house (Figures 10,‘ 1.1, 12, 13 and 1-1) is designed for the use of the Texas farmers and poultry raisers. It is one of the most desirabletypes of houses for brooding chicks. A farmer who raises 200 chic-ks or more, and the poultryman who raises several thousand, will find this type of house practical and desirable. It is a portable house and may be used to advantage in the orchard. This house is eight feet square. The poultryman will find the same house built ten feet square more desirable. In all other respects it may be the same. This house may be used in the artificial brooding of chicks by using portable hovers, as illustrated in Figure 14. When chicks can do with- out heat, the hovers may be removed, the roosts substituted, and the chicks grown to maturity in the house. This house may also be used to brood chicks by natural means. In this case (Figure 12), the center 12 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. wire panel partition is not used. It is brought closer to one side of the building and flush with the side of the door. This provides a space about thirty inches wide by eight feet long, divided into four equal compartments, each compartment to accommodate one hen with twenty-five to thirty chicks. Chicks can exercise in the large part of the house. More compartments like this may be made. The house with portable hovers will accommodate 200 chicks. With a colony brooder it will accommodate 500 small chicks at one time. With four hens and thirty chicks each it will accommodate 120 chicks. In winter this house may be used to house a pen of twenty selected breeders and one or two selected males. The orchard, woodlot, cowlot, or pasture, where the chicks or breed- ing stock may enjoy free range, fresh ground and plenty of green succulent grass, furnish very good locations for this house. This house has been in use for several years and found practical and satisfactory. It is the most economical type of construction. The floor may be built out of shiplap, regular flooring or matched material (Figure a 10). If desired, a window may be placed. in the rear of the house and hinged at the top to swing out. Wooden shutters (Figure 11) hinged at the top to swing out are arranged to. fit rear, sides, and front of house. This provides for a circulation of air when desired and keeps the house cool. The frame is made of 2x4-inch material and the sides may be of either drop siding, barn siding, or shiplap; and the roof may be covered with roofing paper, the three-ply being recommended; When the chicks are old enough to get along xvithout artificial heat, roosts made of 1-inch by 2-inch material should be provided. Circular chick runs Figure 1.4-) have been found the most prac- tical from all viewpoints. Tin yards, 20 inches high, will furnish a shelter from the wind for the chicks, though poultry netting, 1-inch or %-inch mesh, will do very well. POULTRY Hovsns AND POULTRY EQUIPMENT FOR TEXAS. 13 B 0 I 1 I l \ l \ l I I l l % I 24o'1—l~ | I A C/l T I I ‘l | ¢f4-"a?;4'h m? . \ Yl/ \ <5 X o" I‘ _‘ “—“_*V?_-“T 1rii qjiiiiiidiiqiiqp iiii iii qiiiiiipiiiiiir ijbiid I c 2 /"'r5' hip/up fyoon o" .,_. .| -221: : :1 ‘ : :':;:-:.-_".'.:"_ "'5': ::: .. g | ‘I I s 1 | “l l | \‘- 2'14'--»------ -- -------7l7q \\ /"/| | \ z // ' .\:\ R /;/ I \\ N l/ I I | \\\ /, ' I ‘n / ' J 1 i 1 A X, Inn- m-v 1- 1-1? n: a- —I f2. 00F? PLAN Figure l0.—B1'00r.lcr-co](my house. S110Wil1g‘ flool‘ construction. 14 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 3' p/g prepared roofing pea/fry ne/ irvg under" d or. i SIDE ELEVATION Figure 11.—“A”-shaped br0i0de1'"-c0l0ny halve. Finished side. FRONT ELEl/AT/ ON Figure 1'2.~“1k”-sha.ped brooder-colonbx’ 1101150. Finished frontf 15 POULTRY HOUSES AND PQULTRY EQUIPMENT FOR TEXAS. @5225: 125a: h; wawcfifigm AQQFR 52E: \f~c~ou-._wwoo._mia.mfi Q32: .W\<\QOOP\Q JtkgfhTz mkOLx QWQRTQQT hum-SDI QUQOOQQ El % 1w v\.%.2\\ ZXN. kt \Q..WN mxflmglxxxU unxUmnxnwkm 4 \. o ® v . . ..\UQ~L\U~\U 1 % Owxukvx 0* P\.\ h\\~>\ 0.x j 9 m..<0\~\U x23} ox H‘ o .\“?\ §O\\.~\\Qn\ O ® . “\QQ\\Qb$\ m.\m\»k\fi . xkxwnT bxU§ U.\\\Q (it . “U\§\mw.. z o i ./9dd0// dxx §\.h\\~Q\ >\U\Q\§1® ® T-Fr FE i 16 TEXAS zxGlilCflTUlh-LIJ PIXPLJRIAIEXT Suxvrlox. .w.~o>o: 2€a..:a F mfiwoohn .5“ wowcaphm 32h tv {SQ EN a? \Q .WN sxsfifl ~.\®.\.Uv\U\\.\.U 44 v§<$ 0.0K fi .U§\§\.\ Q0 Q.\.\\\\ §..\.\\30\ WZJQ 0S2.» WQU>O1 Q>§§0IW WZTQQ tQ\fi\.Uk>\\ 3w. ~ ._.\nu§.\\ K \.\§0Q O .\\”\\°\\ . U\Q°\»\°Q ®\ w\ ~v\$b0»\ \U\U uxb\ 0\\ 0\Q ax .\ 0n\ Q\QB\O §\%\ =N\~.. \\ E_ 6B5; %:o_ou-.~owoo.~m~l:.wH Qéww; /\ ‘Nny NJxa/HQ POULTRY HoUsEs AND POULTRY EQUIPMENT FOR TEXAS. 17 THE SHED ROOF,BROODER COLONY HOUSE. The shed roof brooder colony house (Figures 10, 15 and 16) is de- signed to meet the requirements of Texas conditions. It has proved satisfactory at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. This type of house may meet the conditions of many Texas farmers better than the A-shaped house. It is more open and gives better ventilation, as well as being easier to build. As for uses, it is practically the same as the gable roof house, de- scribed in the preceding chapter. (See Figures 10, 13 and 14.) The capacity of the shed roofed house is the same as that of the gable roofed house of the same floor dimensions. All the fixtures used in the one can ‘be used in the other. One or two features require special attention. This house gives a large air space. During summer the south front is