104 



platform to catch the droppings, far enough below to permit cleaning 

 without removing perches. 



In long houses the usual location of the roosts is in the rear. This 

 places the roosts farthest from the open front and in the place freest 

 from drafts except in the case of wind blowing through the open 

 windows, and also least in the way. 



Dropping platform 



For the best sanitary conditions, a tightly constructed droppings plat- 

 form should be built under the roosts. This makes frequent cleaning 

 easy and allows the construction of the nests directly beneath. It is much 

 cheaper to build the nests in this place than on the wall. The latter con- 

 struction requires a special inclined cover. Wall nests, furthermore, are 

 too high for heavy breeds, and occupy space which is frequently needed 

 for hoppers, water devices, and the like. 



The nests 



Nests must be convenient for gathering the eggs and for cleaning. 

 They must also be somewhat dark to prevent the hens from scratching 

 the nesting material out, thus breaking the eggs and learning to eat them. 

 They must be secretive to gratify the hen's natural desire to hide her 

 eggs. 



In constructing the nests it is desirable to give at least 12 to 15 inches 

 head room. The nests should be about 14 inches square and 6 inches 

 deep. Hens prefer large nests, and the nests should be deep enough to 

 prevent eggs from being rolled out and to contain enough straw so that 

 the eggs will not strike the bottom. At the same time they should not be 

 so deep that fowls will break the eggs when getting into the nest. 



Fine straw is the best nest material; sawdust stains eggs; excelsior 

 wads up and sticks to hens' toes; rye straw is too coarse. Nest egg? 

 should be provided. The hen then feels a sense of security. That is 

 wh;y hens like to lay in the same nests. The nests in Figs. 64 and 66 

 are constructed as a box framework which rests upon and is hooked to 

 the bottom platform. The construction makes easy cleaning possible by 

 simply loosening the hooks and drawing the frame outward. The back 

 of the nest cleans the platform as the frame is drawn out. Upon replacing 

 and refastening the frame the nests are ready for clean material. The 

 nests can be closed tightly in front by a long-hinged door, making them 

 dark and secretive. The hen enters the nest from the rear through the 

 opening under the platform. Both the nesting and roosting devices for 

 a 2O-foot pen should be cut in half for easy handling. Roosting in nests 



