9 



air, to have a constant supply of fresh air, and a warm roosting 

 pen. Formerly, this house was equipped with double doors, walls, 

 and windows; it was as tight as a drum, and there was a constant 

 dampness during the winter, owing largely to a lack of fresh air. 



R R 



a a 



D 





Fig. S.— Crossed section of closed pen. R, R, roosts ; D, dropping board. 



The substitution of a curtain for the door on the south side will, we 

 are satisfied, admit abundance of air and do away with the dampness. 

 This house will accommodate from 40 to 50 fowls. 



GENERAL RULES FOR BUILDING. 



Every hen should be allowed at least 6 square feet of space in 

 the scratching pen, and about 4 square feet in the roosting pen. Each 

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

 about 9 inches of perch room ; Leghorns, etc., about 8 inches : and 

 Brahmas, 10 inches. 



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

 several reasons for this. Fowls of the heavier breeds cannot fly high, 

 and those of the lighter breeds frequently injure the soles of their 

 feet in jumping 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 fen" two 

 perches, the first being placed 

 eiofht to ten inches from the 

 wall. 



Most poultry men prefer 

 roosts 2 inches by 2 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 pre- 

 vent this. (Figs. 9 and 10.) 



\^ 



I 



Fitcs. 9 and 10. Front and back views of nests. 

 (Poultry Craft.) 



Nests are usually made from 12 to 15 inches square. 



