Station Circular 173 January 1948

O.S.C. Poultry Laying House

By
H. R. SINNARD and W. T. COONEY

circular has been prepared in answer to many requests for

THIS
plans and recommendations for an expandable poultry laying
house designed to house flocks of 500 to 1,000 birds.
The O.S.C. Commercial Laying House was designed for two
250-hen units. By using multiples of the 250-hen construction unit,
flocks of various sizes up to 1,000 birds may be accommodated. If
desired, partition walls may be eliminated in houses made up of two
or more basic units to provide single pens that will accommodate 500
or more birds.
Laying houses of the same general type as the O.S.C. Com-
mercial Laying House have been used by the State College and by
many poultrymen throughout Oregon for the past 23 years.
Floors
Details for the construction of wood or concrete floors for this
house are shown in this folder. Either type of floor is satisfactory.
If floor heating is to be a part of the management program, much
work will be saved if the type of floor heating to be used is decided
upon before the floors are built.
To construct the alternate section with a concrete floor, first
erect a 4-inch foundation wall (6 inches or 8 inches for concrete
block or tile) on a concrete footing 8 inches wide and 4 inches thick
around the outside building line.1 The bottom of the footing at the
shallowest point should be 12 inches below the outside ground line
(finish grade line). The foundation wall should extend 6 to 12
inches above the finish floor, depending upon the type of litter man-
agement to be used. The higher wall is needed to keep wood framing
out of contact with deep litter: Make the minimum height of the
foundation wall 8 inches above the outside finish grade line.

ii
 Place anchor bolts for a wood sill in the foundation wall at the
time the concrete is po ured Bolts x 12 inches spaced 6 to 8 feet
apart are satisfactory. To protect wood sills from possible moisture
in the concrete, place one or more thicknesses of asphalt roofing
the width of the sills over the top surface of the foundation wall
before the sills are put in place and bolted down.
To prevent settling of the floor or foundation, remove tree
roots, yegetation, and all top soil over the area to be occupied by a
concrete floor. Try to ke ep the disturbance of sub-soil to a minimum.
Sub-soil disturbed in the removal of roots and other organic objects
Iiould he packed down again.
After the foundation walls are in place spread gravel to a depth
of about 4 to 5 inches over the area within the walls except under
partitions, where gravel should be only 3 inches deep. This allows
a thicker concrete floor beneath partitions. The gravel sub-base
should be rammed or packed.
Place an asphalt-treated insulation board inch thick and ap-
proximately 4 inches wide around the inside of the foundation wall
in a vertical position as an expansion joint and for insulation. A
layer of asphalt water-proofing paper over the gravel is desirable.
Pour approximately 3!r inches of concrete over the paper and gravel
fill. The insulation board acts as an expansion joint and a non-
conductor of heat from the slab floor. To make hosing and cleaning
the floor easier, slopethe floor to the drains in the front and rear
walls. A slope of about inch to the foot is enough.
Provide air vents as shown in the elevations, if you use a con-
crete or tile foundation wall around the outside edges (perimeter)
of the building to support wood floor joists. All wood girders should
be at least 12 inches above the ground.
Walls
Notice the framed openings in the upper part of the front wall.
These can be closed by means of vertical sliding frames covered with
glass substitute or muslin. When not in use, these frames may be
lowered into a pocket in the wall to protect them from damage. Here
is a convenient way to adjust the frames. Fasten a rope to the center
of the top of each frame. Run the rope through a pulley near the
ceiling. By manipulating the rope, the frames can be drawn into any
position and held there.
On the rear windows you have a choice. They may be omitted
to reduce the cost, or installed to make the house lighter and to per-
mit better ventilation in hot summer weather. If the windows are
installed, they should be of single strength B grade glass.
if dropping pits are used instead of dropping boards, the win-
dows should be higher, as shown in the drawings.
 I44-O
72'-Q"

EQUIP
STGE. STGE.
EEGG

250 HENS 250 HENS 250 HENS 250 HENS

FEED
ST 0 R AGE

1,000 HEN UNIT

32-0" 8 01 32 0

EGG
STGE
0
250 HENS 250 HENS
c.J
rEED
STGE.

500 HEN UNIT

 Experience has shown that it is desirable to construct poultry
houses with inside finish material on the walls and ceiling. Such
houses are warmer in winter and cooler in summer than houses with
only exterior finish and are also easier to clean. Note, however,
that the house has been designed so that this feature may be initially
omitted and then added at a later date if so desired.
Ventilation
Two 12-inch circular ventilating shafts with revolving hoods
are needed for each 250-hen basic unit if forced ventilation is not
provided. Gable louver-ventilators with inside-hinged doors should
be placed in the wall ends to provide the necessary attic ventilation.
These doors should be closed in freezing and near freezing weather
and open the rest of the time.
Roof
Shingles, bituminous roofings (roll roofing), galvanized iron,
and aluminum are all satisfactory roofing materials. (For discus-
sion and specifications see Extension Bulletin 540, and U. S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture Farmers' Bulletin 1751.)
Nests and equipment
Four tiers of open single-type nests are shown on the end wall.
Such an arrangement reduces time spent in gathering eggs.
Roosts
Roosts shown in the plans are 2 x 3 inches with the 3-inch sur-
-

face flat. Such an arrangement will be less likely to produce crooked

keels on birds that are inherently weak in this respect or those that
are not in proper mineral balance.
Electric wiring
Vapor-proof fixtures and conduit are required where the walls and ceilings
are to be hosed down. Non-metallic sheathed cable may be used if care is taken
when the house is cleaned and washed. For complete information on regula-
tions for poultry house electric wiring, confer with a licensed electrician or the
State Electrical Inspector, Bureau of Labor, Salem.
A master control switch should be pi-ovided in the feed- room or some
other convenient location for all the lights in a poultry house. Ordinarily
lights are used on laying hens for either a few hours in the morning or a few
hours in the evening. With either method the master switch is necessary.
Evening lights should be dimmed in some way in order to warn the hens
to go to the roost before the lights are turned off completely. Many dimming
devices are in use. In general, dimming is accomplished by placing special
resistance in the lighting circuit.
Space lights as indicated in the drawings and use Q-watt lamps with re-
flectors. Reflectors should be adjusted to provide direct light on all birds.
5See alternate cross section sheet No. 1 of construction drawings.
Agricultural Experiment Station, Oregon State College, Corvallis
 2-2*8 GIRDER
I-I6-5/2 SHINGLES 33/4 EXPOSURE
6 IX6 SHEATHING.7'4 0.0.
2*4 RAFTERS
2X4 RAFTERS-2'-O O.C.
2-0" 0.0. HOOK
2*4 BLOCKING
N 2*4 JOISTS r
2*4 BLOCKING 2'.O" O.C.-
4*4 POSTS 2-2*4 (1/ 2*6 LINTEL 5" a I. GUTTER
e'-d' O.C, PLATE ROOST IN RAIS 2*8 LINTEL
/ / POSITION FOR CL4AN PULLEY
4*4 POST 1*4
8.0" 0.0.
OPTIOtMAL I-IO"x 2'-5" SASH CORD
WIN,DW LOCATION 2*8
I *6 POULTRY NETTING
/
// I" MESH
1*6 STOP-CASING
FASTEN WITH SCREWS
*4 (THIS MEMBER CONTINUOUS
2*4 ST HINfE ,2x3 RO0STS.. 1*4 SLIDING FRAME FOR TO PERMIT REMOVAL
FROM SOLE PLATE TO
2'- O a GLASS SUBSTITUTE LINTEL)
2*3 ROOSTS 2x4 16 IA. NETTING 2x4- 2 CLEAT 1*4 FRAME FOR GLASS
*2 2 MESH 2x8 CLEAT
SUBSTITUTE WITH
2*4 PLATE 2-1*8 1*2 GUIDES EACH END
Pt" PIPE 2x0 CLEA
'4 I I/ PIPE DRAIN
fl CONCRETE FLOOR 2-1*8 CORR. 2*6 JOISTS-2-O" O.C.-z.-. 2*6 BLOCK BRIDGING
I 6*6 GIRDER 6*6 GIR DER
OVER GIRDERS Ix4- 22
1*3 - 2 4 SILL LASS SUBSTITUTE
5GR CONCRETE
-4-
2 SUB.SILL
DROPPINGS PIT SECTION 2 x 4-- (C. NTINLJQUS
(DETAIL OF UNHINGED ROOSTS AND
ALTERNATE CONCRETE FLOOR) DROPPINGS PIT SECTICN 2*4 SILL
(DETAIL OF HINGED ROOSTS, WOOD
2 x2 2*4

r
FRAME FLOOR & REAR W4LL SECTION)
4*4 2x8CLFAT It PLYWOOD SUB-SILL

NETTINS POCXET FOR

MESH
SLIDING FRAME
St \\ (6
2x4
(2*3 R00s157 .Pou;TRv4j::Jg SIDING
/1MES1 2*4 STUDS
2'. 0" (1G.
PIPE OPT IONAL
WLNDOW
LOCATION ; 2*2 B UMPER
BLOCK

2 ASP 1IALT
-:
I 3 ROQS1-

-
2*6 JOISTS SHIPLAP OR T&G
2'-O" 0.0. 2x6 HEADER
WEEP HOLES 2 O.0
IRON OR
ALUMINUM SHEET
6*6 GIRDER
(-2x6)
x4
2

2
I 2i4 22 ANCHOR S1TRAP
2x 4
4 t2 DI
FLOORING

0 CONCRETE PIER
FRONT WALL- ISOMETRIC VIEW

I',

It.)
PIPE COOPERATIVE RESEARCH & EXTENSION WORK IN
AGRICULTURE 8 HOME ECONOMICS
0)
5' 8".. 1.3" 1t r-s" 1-3"
FRONT WALL SECTION OREGON STATE COLLEGE
CORVALLIS, OREGON
rRAPHifcE SCALE' DEPTS. OF AGRI. ENG. & POULTRY HUS8ANDRY
2*411 U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE COOPERATING
12"9' 5" 3" 0 I' 2 3'

6-3' O.S.C. LAYING HOUSE

SCALE' OREGON PLAN NG. 2.88
6
SHEET 2 or 2
PLAN VIEW OF ROOSTS PLAN VIEW OF ROOSTS DESIGNED BY' H. R. SINNARD, R.A.
W. L.G W.L.GRIEBELER.A.E. : W. T. COONEY. P. H
 2" REVOLVING VENTILATOR LOCATION
2 X4 RAFTERS - I6'.O LONG. 2-0" 0-C. 2 X 4 RAFTERS - I 2-0' LONG - 2-0" O.C.
2z4 2 2x4"ANGLE 'IRON OPTIONAL I-IOx 2-5 BARN SASH 12 GA GALV. WIRE SPACED 2 APART UNDER LOUVER WITH HINGED DOOR INSIDE
FOR WIRE SUPPORT (REMOVABLE) FIT WITH SCREEN SHEATHING- 1X6 STRIPS 71/2 O.C.
ROOSTS. BOLT TIGHTENERS THROUGH WALL a OR I X3 STRIPS 3/40 C. -.....
FULL PARTITION (OPTIONAL) ( 2x 20* /4 ANGLE IRON. 6 NO. I- '6- 5/2 SHINGLES
5/4 EXPOSURE
1 iJiiiiiIn IthVsItlLlflI;ItIIIflhtIlf.IJIiflAI I
P X 4 JOISTS- 2'-O"O.G
2 *4 - 6-8" LONG
:1W'
GUTTER
EGG
STORAGE ROOM TO JOISTS VENT
CARRIER TRACK
2x3 ROOSTS *3 ROOSTS (INSULATE WALLS,

I'll'."uiuu
CEILING FLOOR) AIR CIRCULATION

2X4 STUD 2 X4 2X3 ROOSTS U

OPTIONAL DROPPING BOARDS1

WINDOW TBG FLOORING WITH /20 ASPHALT COAT
LOADING LOCATION
Ofl DOUBLE WOOD FLOOR
PLATFORM tWIRE PORCH

COUGATEO
IME SWITCH METAL
S LOPE

INTERIOR FINISH- PLYWOOD, FEED '0

PANEL BOARD, VERTICAL STORAGE SEE FARMERS.
CEILING OR SIMILAR AIERIAL ROOM BULLETIN NO. 1172
250 HENS ALT. RAMP

-CEILING VENT LOCATION

24-C
L"FoUNDATION PIERS'EI CROSS SECTION A-
B-O O.C. - SEE SECTION
I-lOx 3-5
WINDOW (NO. 877) FLOORING'- TG WITH 1/2
ASPHALT COVERING OR
DOUBLE FLOOR WITH RESIN-
SIZED PER BETWEEN SEE DETAIL SHEET NO.2
7' DOOR OPENING FOR
1/2" X IO'ANCHOR
DOLTS - 8' 0 C, CLEANOUT WITH PICKUP ASPHALT EXPANSION JOINT
OR MANURE SPREADER PIPE DRAIN
ALTERNATE NEST LOCATION_ SLOPE DROPPINGS . CURS

FOUNDATION WALL CONCRETE FLOOR 4-5 GRAtL FILL

IERTIGAL SLIDING FRAME' COVERED WITH GLASS SU$;TITUTE OPTIONAL DOOR A TILE DRAIN
LOCATION a4'- 0"
8- 0" 5'- fl'
40'- 0" ALTERNATE CROSS SECTION
WITH CONCRETE FLOOR & DROPPINGS PIT
WIRE FLOOR PORCH
16 G NETTING -v.---

-t
I" MESH DI. RIDGE
SCALE
,i 0 I' 2' 3' 5' LOUVER ON EAOH ENO

V2 FLOOR PLAN

GUTTER

.._- NO. I
6. I. RIDGE

- 16'- 5/2 SHINGLES - 34" EXPOSURE ---------

REVOLVING VENTI LATOR

:::
- 0..
IRON WIRE SIWPOR
_____1II1Ih
- II ___

SEE EXTENSION BULLETIN NO. 540

AND FARMERS BULLETIN NO. 1751
.:l :IYtIMp
,11WIRE PORCH
-
/ERTICAL SLIDING FRAME
COVERED WITH GLASS
SUBSTITUTE.
____ ' RAMP SCREENED VENT

51131 MU
END ELEVATION
L --4 rACING
CORNER

9 1112 ruNcli ACbESS DOOR / PLATFORM

COOPERATIVE RESEARCH & EXTENSION WORK IN
AGRICULTURE S HOME ECONOMICS
GRADE
OREGON STATE COLLEGE
F PIERSI±f2 CORVALLIS, OREGON
f:0N
7'- 0" RASIfl 111,111
-1
DEPTS. OF AGRI. ENG. & POULTRY HUS8ANDR
U. S. DEPt OF AGRICULTURE COOPERATING

0.S.C. LAYING HOUSE

FRONT ELEVATION or 2
OREGON I PLAN NO. 2.ee SHEET I

DESIGNED BY. H. R. SIN NARD, R.A.

W. L. G. W,L,GRIEBELER,A.E. ; W.t 000NEY,PH.