182 POULTRY HOUSES. 



My plan for nests, is what is called the secret nest. It is well 

 known that hens love to make their nests in a very secluded place, 

 and this form of nest appears to gratify this propensity. They are 

 made thus : Make a platform of boards, two feet wide, and say ten 

 feet long, (or any length you choose,) fastened against the back wall 

 of the building, about three feet from the ground ; above and along 

 the outer edge of this platform, nail a board on the edge, one foot wide, 

 leaving an opening in the middle and at each end, eight or nine inches 

 wide, and divide the remaining space into compartments a foot square. 

 This leaves a passage way between the wall and nests, nearly a foot 

 wide. Make a cover sloping from the wall, and so as to open with 

 hinges. This affords easy means of examining, and at the same time 

 as much secrecy as the hens seem to desire. 



The yard for three hundred fowls should contain from one half to 

 one acre, but if you have not the ground to spare, seventy-five by one 

 hundred feet will answer. Have a part of the ground fresh dug up 

 as often as once a week, when not frozen ; and give the fowls gravel, 

 broken oyster shells, crushed bones burnt, old lime, mortar, <fec., and 

 under cover place dry sand and ashes for them to roll and scratch in. 

 Give them a variety of food, as corn, oats, wheat, barley, buckwheat, 

 <fec., and a little chopped meat 



Respectfully yours, <fec,, P. MELENDY. 



There are many other considerations pertaining to poultry 

 houses that may be mentioned, but the most important points 

 are touched in the preceding matter, and my limits will not 

 admit of using more space on this subject. I will, however, 

 call your particular attention to the fact, that all of our large 

 breeds of fowls require perches not over eighteen inches or two 

 feet high, and they must be flat, and about three inches wide. 



