216 



AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURE. 



Buildings. There is immense scope for the display of 

 taste in poultry buildings. Our concern will carry us amongst 



For a Small Lot. 



For a Small Place, as for Breeding Pens. 



orections put up for use mainly ; leaving decoration to the 

 taste of the owner. The absolute requirements are tight 

 roofs, through which water cannot 

 enter, close walls, and floor of dry 

 earth, raised sufficiently to prevent 

 the inroads of dampness, even in wet 

 weather. Ventilation is best pro- 

 vided for by windows or shutter 

 openings. Wood, iron, slabs, bark, 

 and other materials are available 

 for buildings. When shade or 

 shelter can be secured from trees or 

 vines, the advantages are very decided. 



Roosts, Nests, Water, &c. Much of their comfort and 

 health is dependent on how fowls .roost. The roosting 

 and laying places of hens should be sufficiently tight to 

 protect the inmates from rain, wind, and enemies. There 

 should be no roosting on trees and fences. Place roosting 

 sticks, at least 3 inches thick, across the building about 20 

 inches apart ; no roost should be higher than 3 feet. A 

 good plan is to have the roosting sticks set upon a levelled 

 frame ; in any case they should be so arranged that at any 

 time they can be removed, cleaned, and replaced with the 

 least trouble. Nest-boxes (barrels and kerosene cases 

 answer well) are placed in the quiet, shady, out-of-the-way 

 places, where birds are not likely to roost on them. 

 They should always be supplied with dry sand or 

 soil, gum leaves, &c., and each contain a nest- 



