In both years the cold house is better than the 3rd. 



Houses No. 1 and 2 were about 4 degrees warmer than House No. 

 4. The curtain front house (No. 2) was usually one degree warmer than 

 the house with moveable windows (No. 1). 



The houses with straw lofts are cooler in summer. 



The birds in House No. 3 were not as healthy as those in the other 

 houses. This applies particularly to the Wyandottes. 



Were I building a house for my own use I would prefer a house 

 like No. 4 with a front similar to No. 2. 



The curtain in front of the roost is useful in zero weather. It 

 saves the combs of the male birds. 



General Rules for Building. 



Every hen should be allowed at least six square feet of floor space. 

 Each bird of the Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte, and such breeds, requires 

 about nine inches of perch room; Leghorns, etc., about eight inches; 

 and Brahmas ten inches. 



-*?* 



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Figs. 5 and 6. Front and Back Views of Nests. (Piultry Craft). 



Roosts should be made low, or near the ground. There are several 

 reasons for this. Fowls of the heavier breed cannot fly high, and those 

 of the lighter breeds frequently injure the soles of their feet in jump- 

 ing from high perches. 



When dropping boards are used, they should be moderately low 

 down, to admit of easy cleaning. Dropping boards should be made 

 of matched lumber, and should be 20 inches wide for one roost, and 

 three feet for two perches, the first being placed eight to ten inches 

 from the wall. 



Most poultry men prefer roosts two inches by two inches, with edges 

 slightly rounded. 



Nests. — Many use only old boxes; but such nests, if near the 

 ground, are apt to induce egg-eating. Dark nests prevent this. (Figs. 

 5 and 6.) 



Nests are usually made from twelve to fifteen inches square. 



