124 Farm Poultry 



are considered just as safe and much better for 

 heavy-bodied fowls. More or less clumsy, heavy- 

 bodied fowls ascend to high perches with difficulty, 

 and are likely to be injured in alighting from any 

 considerable elevation. Convenient ladders or walks 

 may be constructed, which will enable the fowls to 

 approach the perches without great effort, but there 

 are always times when clumsy fowls will attempt 

 to fly to the floor, although injury to themselves 

 may result. Leghorns and other egg breeds may 

 safely perch somewhat higher than the Asiatics, 

 and if the buildings are well constructed this may 

 be an advantage in cold weather, as the fowls will 

 undoubtedly find it somewhat warmer on high 

 perches than on low ones. For houses in cold lati- 

 tudes that have large cubic contents for the number 

 of fowls they contain high perches may be quite 

 desirable, particularly if the roof or ceiling imme- 

 diately above the perches be partitioned so as to 

 exclude drafts quite effectually. 



Only movable perches should be constructed. 

 A 2x3 scantling, set edgewise, with the upper 

 corners rounded, answers every purpose and makes 

 a satisfactory perch. Poles or narrow boards may 

 be used, but whatever material is selected the 

 perches should be so constructed that they will 

 be firm and will not tip or rock when fowls alight 

 on them. A small scantling is easy to secure firmly 

 and also to clean and to disinfect. Underneath 



