THE NEW POULTRY PLANT. 99 



The building is divided into 15 sections. The close par- 

 titions between the pens are 2 feet high and made of 2 

 inch plank. These 2 inch partitions form strong trusses to 

 which the studs supporting the central plate are thoroughly 

 nailed. This saves the floor from sagging from the weight of 

 the roof when it is covered with snow. An elevated plank- 

 walk, 4 feet wide, runs along the whole length of the front 

 of the building, and rests on the cross partitions just mentioned. 

 The walk, being 2 feet above the floor, allows the hens to 

 occupy the whole floor space. This part of the floor is lighted 

 from the front by the small windows spoken of above. Above 

 the close partition, the pens are separated from each other and 

 from the walk by wire netting of 2 inch mesh. A light wooden 

 frame door, covered with wire and hung with spring hinges, 

 leads from the walk clown 3 steps, each a foot wide, into the 



pens. 



The back ends of the cross partitions, 4 feet out from the 

 back wall, are carried up to the roof, so as to protect the birds 

 from currents of air while on the roosts. The roost platform is 

 along the back wall. It is 3 feet 2 inches wide and is raised 

 2 feet above the floor. There are 2 roosts made of 2x23/2 

 inch spruce, with cross pieces nailed firmly across each end. 

 This roost frame is hinged to the back wall of the house and 

 is readily turned up out of the way when the platform is to be 

 cleaned off. The roosts are 10 inches above the platform; 

 the back one is 1 foot from the wall and the front one is 1 

 foot 4 inches farther away. 



Two sliding nest boxes are hung under the platform in each 

 pen. These boxes are 1 foot wide, 1 foot deep, and 3 feet long, 

 with a low partition across the middle, and a hinged door in 

 front through which to remove eggs. The hens enter through 

 the back end, which is always open. The darkness in the inner 

 nest box tends to prevent them from learning the habit of egg 

 eating. The nest boxes are readily pulled out and carried out 

 of doors for cleaning. 



A coop 2x2 J4 feet is hung in each pen, in which to confine 

 would-be sitters and extra males. 



A feed trough 8 inches wide is hinged to the partition, 8 

 inches above the floor, and is turned up out of the way and 

 7 



