Perches and Nests 115 



platform. It is desirable to have the platform 

 some distance from the floor, in order that the 

 fowls may occupy the floor space underneath the 

 platform. This will permit the construction of 

 perches, and, at the same time, will allow the 

 fowls to use all of the floor space. The perches 

 may be supported by brackets secured to the 

 side wall, as shown in Fig. 39. 



Nests. In the construction of nests in poultry 

 houses, at least three points should constantly be 

 kept in mind. First, the nest should be situated 

 in a place which is more or less dark; second, 

 it should be readily accessible to the fowls from 

 more than one side; and, third, it should be 

 constructed in such a way that it can be readily 

 seen, easily cleaned, and thoroughly disinfected. 

 Since it is important to give the fowls as much 

 floor space as possible, it is usually best to have 

 the nest attached in some manner to the side or 

 end walls of the building. In a general way it 

 may be said that the number of fowls which a 

 poultry house will accommodate depends on the 

 floor space and air space which the house con- 

 tains. Anything, therefore, that unnecessarily 

 occupies floor space will diminish the capacity 

 of the house. Various plans of arranging nests 

 have been adopted, and it is difficult and probably 

 impossible to say which is the best. Each has 

 advantages and disadvantages. A somewhat sim- 



