AMERICAN POULTRY CULTURE 



there may be on the roosts, only a portion of the 

 lower space is occupied, while the higher poles are 

 crowded, and the fowls are as compactly pressed 

 together as if the packing process had been done 

 purposely in order to get all the fowls as high up 

 as possible. 



There are several potent objections to such 

 roosts, not only so far as the health and com- 

 fort of the fowls -are concerned while they are 

 sleeping, but also because the roosts are unsightly, 

 unhandy and filthy. By all the fowls striving for 

 the topmost perch they frequently crowd each other 

 off, and harmful results often follow such accidents. 

 Even when there is no crowding, the highest 

 perches are so far removed from the floor that 

 heavy fowls often fall when getting off in the morn- 

 ing, or if they do alight properly, the distance is 

 so great that their feet are often injured and some- 

 times even bruises and jars to the body result. 



The best perches are from two to three inches 

 wide, slightly rounded at the upper edges, and 

 one or two inches thick, or heavy enough to pre- 

 vent sagging or breaking with the weight of the 

 fowls. It is best for the roosts not to touch the 

 walls of the house at any place, as otherwise lice 

 and mites can spread all over the building. In this 

 event it becomes impossible to totally exterminate 

 them ; but if the roosting fixture is not attached to 

 the house in any way the vermin cannot get off the 



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