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varieties kept, and the climate they are in. In jome places fowls d< 

 well without houses, merely roosting in the trees; and roost anywhi 

 and everywhere, which proves how well poultry will do under proper 

 conditions; for if they can pay without attention or can- bestowed 

 upon them, how much better would they pa} with it. Game 

 fowls certainly do oot require a house and prefer to roost in the 

 trees. The only disadvantage of the practice is that they become very 

 wild and difficult to catch. A large Poinciana tree, a fig-tree, or 

 banyan-tree makes a capital roosting-place, and gives them good 

 shelter. Still, it is best to have a house for them for many reasons, 

 even if it, be but a roof with a bach wall to support and cover the 

 wide, sloping, ladder-like perches. This is the roughest and readiest 

 fowl-house for the small breeder to put up. It must be built with the 

 back to the quarter from whence the worst winds come, as strong 

 winds affect fowls even more than heavy rain does. 



" The lighter the fowl houses are the better, and the less harbour 

 there is for vermin. For roosts there is nothing better than the wide 

 ladder for the light active varieties, and for the heavier -such as Lang- 

 shans, Brahmas, Cochins, &c, &c— single perches no higher than two 

 or three feet from the ground. All perches or roosts should be round, 

 and of a size and strength to ensure confidence. One of the most com- 

 mon mistakes made by poultry people is giving the fowls square roosts. 

 A little observation will show that all the branches, twigs, &c, of the 

 trees are round. Nature has fashioned the birds' feet to grasp them ; 

 fashioned them indeed purposely for holding on to a rounded surface, 

 and, more than that, so formed them that while sitting on the rounded 

 perch they (the feet) are, as it were, locked on to it, and cannot fall 

 off unless the bird stands up first. Directly the leg bends (when the 

 bird perches in fact) the toes become clasped ; when the bird stands 

 up they relax. Consequently square perches must either be constant 

 pain and misery all night, or else a source of anxiety and worry be- 

 cause of their insecurity. As the hen can only rest on the square 

 perch and in sleep, sudden shock, or any disturbance among the others 

 would fall off. The effort to hold on and to grasp the sharp edges of 

 the square roost must cause great pain. It is clear this item of the 

 perches is a very small matter, but it means a good deal to the hen. 

 Study the fowls as a whole class, note their habits and customs, then 

 take each breed and closely observe its ways, and finally learn to know 

 and understand the nature and special characteristics of individual 

 members of the flock till each fowl is a separate friend. And you must 

 learn to know them thoroughly if you would make a success of farm- 

 ing them. The best roost of all is a strong straight rod, slightly 

 dressed or flattened on the underside, and it should be strong and per- 

 fectly firm. Chickens that have always roosted on rounded perches 

 very seldom have crooked breast-bones. 



" Where a large number of fowls are kept, it is advisable to have 

 more than one house, as overcrowding is sure to bring disease. Let 

 the houses be as airy as possible without being cold, draughty, or damp. 

 It is a moot question among breeders whether the floor should be of 

 boards or earth. Earth is best provided the locality is not damp. 



" Every morning dry earth, mixed with sand or a little dry lime 

 should be scattered under the roosts to cover the droppings, which 



