POULTRY, BIRDS AND BEES 253 



what. The hens enter from behind. The high par- 

 titions between the nests prevent the hens from go- 

 ing from one nest to the next, so they are not likely 

 to disturb one another and break or dirty eggs. When 

 gathering the eggs the board in front is opened. These 

 nests should be loose, so that they may be taken out to be 

 aired, sunned and sprayed, when desired, to keep them free 

 from mites and lice. 



The Floor. — A cement floor covered with a little sand 

 and clean litter is the best for a poultry house, as it can be 

 kept dry and clean with very little work. 



With a poultry house as described, one can keep poultry 

 clean and comfortable the whole year through. 



Questions: 



1. What can you say regarding the size and arrangement of 

 windows in a poultry house? 



2. What advantages are there in having the roosts and other 

 inside fixtures of a poultry house removable? 



3. Describe a good arrangement for nests in a poultry house. 

 Arithmetic: 



1. How many yards of muslin in a strip 16 ft. long and 3 ft. 

 wide? How much would it cost at 12c. per yard? 



2. How many feet of lumber would be required to build a plat- 

 form 3 ft. wide by 16 ft. long? (Allow 1-6 for matched lumber.) 

 How much would it cost at $30.00 per thousand feet? 



3. To make a row of nests 12 ft. long, as described above, requires 

 2 pieces 1 x 8, 1 piece 1 x 10, and 1 piece 1 x 12 — all 12 ft. long, and 

 1 piece 1 X 12, 20 ft. long. How many feet of lumber are required? 

 How much would it cost at $^4.00 per thousand feet? 



FEEDING LAYING HENS » 



Rations for Laying Hens. — It is not easy to determine 

 the amount of feed eaten by an average laying hen. If a 

 person is to study the poultry business from a practical 

 point of view he must know approximately the requirements 

 of his flock. It must be remembered that food requirements 

 vary; but it is well to have some basis for one's calculations. 

 We submit a few rations that have been fed by practical 

 poultrymen, successfully. The following rations are based 

 on the requirements of an average laying hen for one day. 



Ration No. 1, reported by the Cornell Experiment 

 Station. See Bulletin No. 212, page 11: .175 lbs. wheat; 

 .07 lb. ground bone; ,022 lb. cabbage. 



