4 GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF POULTRY. 



exposing the fowls to any direct draught. The best plan is to 

 have an opening at the highest point of the roof, surmounted 

 by an opening of slats put together in the well-known fashion 

 of Venetian blinds. 



A south or south-east aspect is desirable, where it can be 

 had and to have the house at the back either of a fireplace or 

 a stable is a great' advantage in winter ; but we have proved 

 by long experience that both can be successfully dispensed 

 with if only the two essentials are combined, of good ventila- 

 tion with perfect shelter. 



We do not approve of too large a house. For half-a-dozen 

 fowls, a very good size is five feet square, and sloping from 

 six to eight feet high. The nests may then be placed on the 

 ground at the back, where any eggs can be readily seen ; and 

 one perch will roost all the birds. This perch, unless the 

 breed kept is small, had better not be more than eighteen 

 inches from the ground, and should be about three inches in 

 diameter. A rough pole with the bark on answers best : the 

 claws cling to it nicely, and bark is not so hard as planed wood. 

 By far the greater number of perches are much too high and 

 small ) the one fault causing heavy fowls to lame themselves 

 in flying down, and the other producing deformed breast-bones 

 in the chickens. The air at the top of any room or house is, 

 moreover, much more impure than that nearer the floor. 



Some prefer a movable perch fixed on trestles. In large 

 houses they are useful, but in a smaller they are needless. If 

 the perch be placed at the height indicated, and a little in 

 advance of the front edge of the nests, placed at the back, no 

 hen-ladder will be required; and the floor being left quite 

 clear, will be cleaned with the greatest ease, while the fowls 

 will feel no draught from the door. 



Besides the house for roosting and laying, a shed is neces- 

 sary, to which the birds may resort in rainy weather. Should 

 the house, indeed, be very large, and have a good window, 



