CHAPTER VIII. 



POULTRY FIXTURES. 



IN THE planning and arrangement of the various appliances 

 which are necessary for the proper equipment of a poultry house, 

 the following features should be considered, as poor fixtures, im- 

 properly designed and located, do not serve their purposes in the pen : 



Simplicity. All interior fixtures should be of simple design 

 and construction, thereby making them more sanitary and reducing 

 labor in caring for the birds. 



Cleanliness.- As many of the appliances as possible should be 

 portable, so as to be easily taken from the wall or standard and 

 readily cleaned out of doors. By having them movable, there are 

 fewer crevices in which to harbor lice and mites. Cleanliness is 

 of paramount importance in the laying house. All fixtures should 

 be constructed with this idea in view, having as few joints as pos- 

 sible, and so designed that they can be taken apart, if necessary, 

 to reach all unexposed parts. They should be so made that a 

 disinfectant solution, when thoroughly applied, will reach all parts. 



Location. The house is designed for the birds, the capacity 

 being determined largely by the number of square feet of floor 

 space; therefore, none of the portable fixtures should be placed 

 on the ground, but should be raised above the floor at least a foot 

 (Fig. 93), on elevated platforms or hanging on the walls. Atten- 

 tion to this one feature will give birds more room for exercise, or 

 more birds can be kept in the house, thus reducing the cost per 

 bird. In order to economize wall space, in some pens, it is necessary 

 to plan carefully the arrangement of the fixtures. 



Perches. It is the natural habit of all kinds of poultry (not 

 including water fowls) to perch or roost at night on elevated places, 

 as branches of trees. It is not a good practice to allow mature 

 birds, of the heavy breeds, to roost directly on the floor. For the 

 heavy Asiatic breeds low perches should be provided, only a foot 

 or two above the floor. The natural tendency of birds of the 

 lighter breeds is to seek as high roosting places as possible, and 

 thus protect themselves from enemies and from cold. 



The perches should be placed on the lowest side or back of the 

 house, farthest from the curtain front, as this part of the house is 



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