In discussing plans for a modern poultry house, let it be mentioned at the outset that this does not necessarily mean that our modern house will be expensive, any more than the one that is built on old ideas. In fact, many of the older houses were much more expensive than the modern houses of today. As long as the poultry building includes the necessary principles for the birds’ well-being, and this can be accomplished with little added expense, that is all that is necessary. In commenting upon the common faults of most poultry houses in the previous chapter, we found that they generally lack one, or all of such items as ventilation, dryness, sunlight, adequate floor space, protection from rats, protection from extremes of temperature, and simplicity of design. In arranging for a better house for our birds, let us plan to keep these factors in mind, so as to get the most from our birds. Whether we are to build a new poultry house, or to remodel an old one, we can design it so that all of these factors will be in evidence. If we have an old poultry house, or if we can buy cheaply an old poultry coop, that has fairly good lumber in it, we can probably do the remodeling somewhat cheaper than if we have to buy all new lumber. If we do purchase all new lumber, it is not advisable to get cheap lumber, but buy the first grade, because it is necessary that the walls of the house be air tight, and this is seldom possible with cheap lumber. We will first consider briefly the possibilities of remodeling an old poultry house. Probably the first thing that we will do is to cut some openings in the front of the house for windows and curtains. From one-half to two-thirds of the front should be devoted to window lights. The remainder should be left for the muslin curtains to allow for fresh air to enter, and for foul air to pass out. These should not be cut up too high, but start at least a foot below the roof, and have the window lights extend at least half way down the front of the house. The curtains should extend quite a bit further down to the bottom of the house, to allow the foul air sufficient opportunity to escape. We should next examine the other walls and roof to make sure that they are not drafty, nor leak water. Usually these walls can be patched up with other boards, or heavy roofing paper, so that no draft is possible. In northern climates, where weather below zero is common, best results will be obtained by having two thicknesses of walls, to protect against cold nights. Roofing paper is excellent to put between the two walls, or even on the outside to aid in this matter. If the roof leaks, it might be advisable to re-shingle part of it, and here again roofing paper helps in making it weather tight.