POULTRY 



221 



the windows to avoid drafts. For this reason the north side 

 of the house is usually the place for them. They should be 

 placed at the same level to prevent crowding of the fowls which 

 is so customary, where they are arranged at different levels. 

 A platform should be placed under the roosts to catch the 

 droppings, far enough below to permit cleaning without re- 



FIG. 54. Barred Plymouth Rock rooster. (Kaupp.) 



moving the roosts. The working rule for roosting space is to 

 allow 6 to 8 inches for each fowl with the roosts placed 12 to 

 15 inches apart. 



The Nests. The nests should be convenient for gathering 

 the eggs and should be removable for cleaning and disinfecting. 

 They must be somewhat dark to prevent the hens scratching 

 the nesting material out and thus breaking and eating the eggs. 



In constructing the nests one should allow from 12 to 15 

 inches head room and the nests should be about 14 inches 

 square and 6 inches deep. It is a good policy to make large 



