Purdue University Agricultural Extension Service Poultry Department
P - 27
May, 1951(250)
MASONRY POULTRY HOUSES
by
Alexander Gordeuk Extension Poultryman
Some Advantages of Masonry Construction 1) It lasts a long time. 2) It's cheap to keep  up. 3) It's ratproof. 4) It's more fireproof than most other types of construction. 5) It's easy to build. 6) It’s easy to clean and to keep clean.
Choosing the Masonry Material The chief item to consider is cost. After that one should consider whether the material is available
locally. Of course, such things as appearance can also influence one's choice.
Masonry material suitable for poultry housing is concrete, concrete block, cinder block, glazed tile, unglazed tile, brick and stone.
Insulation Values of Such Materials In colder climates or especially in houses where brooding is done the insulation value of the wall
should be known. Even in laying houses, it is well to have warm, dry walls to keep out cold in winter and heat in summer.
An 8-inch wall of clay tile or cinder block has about the same value as a wall of 1/2 inch insulation board over paper and studs. If the holes in the tile or cinder block are filled with some sort of granular insulation, the insulation value of the wall is doubled.
_____________Type of Construction____________________Insulation Value
3/4- inch drop siding, paper,	studs.......................  1.71
3/4-inch drop siding, paper,	1 inch	wood	sheathing, studs. 2.69
1/2-inch insulation board, paper, studs.................... 2.28
8-inch solid concrete wall............................... 1.44
8-inch concrete block.....................................  1.77
8-inch cinder block...................................... 2.38
12-inch cinder block........................................ 3.58
8-inch hollow clay tile.................................    2.44
6-inch hollow clay tile...................................  1.85
8-inch cinder block filled with dry	cinders...............2.56
8-inch cinder block filled with best insulating
material for purpose.................................... 5.00
16-inch solid stone wall....................................2.05
8-inch common brick........................................ 3.18
Two 4-inch lightweight concrete block walls with
1" cavity...............................................3.3
With wall cavity filled with granular insulations.......... 5.5