Housing and Supplies - Raising Poultry - page 30

sides, top and bottom framework of the door. Then cut the plywood to attach to
the frame the proper width for the top and bottom to nail the door together.
Be sure to allow for winter contraction of the frame around the door, caused
by freezing temperatures. Give yourself a 1-inch (2.5 cm) gap at both the top and
the bottom. A tight seal looks great, but come midwinter you'll have a problem
when you can't open the door.
4. Nail the 2×4s (5×10 cm) that make up the door's width to the top and bottom of
the two long 2×4s. I use the roofing nails, but you can also use 10-penny nails.
5. Cut a piece of plywood to completely fit that door frame or, if you'd like a window
in your door, cut it so that it fits neatly into the bottom half and cover the top
half with heavy gauge wire for a seasonal window. This allows for more light,
provides more ventilation during the summer, and can easily be covered with
plastic in the winter.
For a permanent window, cover the top part with a fiberglass panel. So-
metimes called greenhouse or patio paneling, this material is cut with simple met-
al cutters and nailed on with roofing nails. (Keep in mind that a fiberglass window
will not act as a vent, but it will allow sunshine to enter throughout the year.)
6. If you'd like a sturdier door, cover the plywood section with sheet metal reinforce-
ment. Simply cut the metal to cover the plywood and use the rest of the roofing
nails to affix it.
7. Using roofing nails or 1¾-inch (4.5 cm) screws, you now need to mount the sides
of the door with heavy-duty strap hinges or T-hinges. Simply place the hinges on
the door and nail or screw them into the frame so that the hinge works freely over
the edge of the door.
8. To hang the door, set the door in the open space and place an inch-thick (2.5 cm)
piece of scrap board under the door on top of the bottom support board of your
structure. This keeps the door from being too tight at the bottom. Using roofing
nails or screws, now attach the hinges to the frame of the building. Remove the
scrap board from the bottom and the door should swing freely.
9. Now you can add the 2×4 (5×10 cm) supports at the midpoint of the two remain-
ing walls, as on page 29 , step 1.
10. Finally, nail sheet metal to the remaining openings on the sides of your building
and your structure should be totally enclosed.
The Roost
You now are set to go inside your new small structure and place a roost. If you're raising
chickens, the roost needs to be about 3 feet (1 m) off the ground and can sit horizont-