History and description of the chicken house at Tallgrass Prairie NPres

Tour Stop 5: The Chicken House

This limestone structure was built into the hillside and topped with an arched stone roof covered by sod, both acting as insulation for Mr. Jones' chickens. Even in the heaviest rain, the Chicken House remained dry and the chickens kept warm.

Ventilation is very important for egg production, so Mr. Jones provided the chickens with two skylights through the sod. Today, they are covered over for safety, but originally the skylights could be opened for ventilation.

The south-facing windows are large enough to admit the sun freely and are positioned to give the most sunlight on the floor during the cold winter months. The twenty-five inch thick walls keep the coop free from dampness in the rainy season, warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. The most important requirement in raising poultry is pure air and good ventilation. The south windows can be slid opened to work in conjunction with the ceiling vents, allowing air to flow freely throughout the house. The two openings in the ceiling can be adjusted depending on the weather conditions, temperature, and seasons. This was truly the Cadillac of chicken houses. The house was also used as a cowboy bedroom later in the ranch's history.