37 FUNDAMENTALS OF AGRICULTURE. 



On severe cold or stormy nights these openings may 

 be partially closed with curtains of duck, muslin, bur- 

 lap or other suitable material. 



Roosts. A tight roost platform, made of smooth 

 boards, should be built about 3 feet from the floor to 

 catch the droppings, to allow an attendant to get under 

 it to catch the birds when necessary and to retain the 

 floor area. The roosts should be from 8 to 12 inches 

 above the platform, i foot from the wall, and hinged 

 to the wall so that they may be swung out of the way 

 when the platform is being cleaned. If more than one 

 roost is desired, a distance of 15 inches should be al- 

 lowed between the roosts. Three or four roosts may 

 be conveniently joined together and fastened, the same 

 as mentioned for one roost. 



The roosts may be made of 2 by 3 inch lumber placed 

 edgewise and rounded off at the top. A space of 8 to 

 10 inches should be allowed for each bird. 



The roosting place should be furnished with a cur- 

 tain of duck or muslin, to provide a warm sheltered 

 closet for the fowls at night. This curtain should be 

 hinged at the top and hung to the ceiling during the 

 day. 



Nests. The nests should be placed with the en- 

 trance towards the wall so as to keep it dark. Hens 

 are not so apt to eat eggs in a dark nest. The nests 

 should be about i foot wide, i foot high and i foot 

 long, with partitions high enough between them to pre- 

 vent the eggs from rolling out, and low enough so that 

 the hens may go from nest to nest. Hinged covers in 

 front of the nests are convenient for removing the eggs. 

 The nests should be so constructed that they may be 

 removed easily when it is necessary to clean them. 

 Straw makes excellent nest material. 



Feed Trough. In building a feed trough it is neces- 

 sary to construct it so that the birds cannot get into it 

 with their feet and spoil the feed. The Maine Experi- 

 ment Station* uses a trough with slatted sides, and a 



* Farmers' Bui. 357. 



