64 



AN EGG FARM. 



perches. There are 12 nests in each row, or 72 in all, 

 and as each nest is 1 ft. square and 1 ft. high, they 

 occupy 12 ft. in length. This allows a space of 4 ft. at 

 each end of the building between the nests and the 

 doors, and as the latter are planned of a sufficient width 

 to admit a wheelbarrow, and the perches are made so as 

 to be easily moved, opportunity is afforded to wheel in 

 or out the dry earth which fills the bottom of the room 

 halfway up to the top of the underpinning. There are 

 nests enough so that eighteen hens may be set at once, 

 and leave room for fowls that are laying. The nests are 



FIG. 22. HOUSE FOR SITTERS INTERIOR. 



placed so that the bottom of the lower ones are G in. 

 higher than the perches, this hight enabling attendant 

 to avoid stooping, as there is much work to be done 

 about the nests of sitting hens; while they are not so 

 high as to prevent the fowls reaching them by flying 

 upon the nearest perch, or as to render a ladder neces- 

 sary. The nests are made so that the hens enter them 

 at the front, where a 3 in. strip set edgewise prevents 

 the eggs from tumbling out. An alighting board pro- 

 jects 2 1-2 in. in front of each row of nests. 



