44 The Essentials of Poultry Raising 



abundance of sunshine to enter the house. Plenty of sunshine 

 in the house ensures a dry house and healthful conditions for 

 the birds. 



The water rack is eighteen inches high, an elevation that pre- 

 vents the birds from scratching litter into the water, and thereby 

 contaminating it. 



The front opening is thirty inches from the floor. The drop- 

 pings board is arranged horizontally and is thirty inches above 

 the floor. 



The perch pole is eight inches above the droppings board. It 

 is made of lumber, two inches by four, with corners planed off 

 and laid flatwise. The perch pole should fit loosely into notches 

 in its supports so as to be removable in case of mites. 



The nests should be at least eighteen inches from the floor. 



93. Capacity of Perch Poles. Two feet of perch pole space 

 should be allowed for each three hens. 



94. Size of Nests. For small breeds, such as Leghorns, the 

 nests should be fourteen inches square. For medium-sized birds, 

 such as Rhode Island Reds, the nests should be fifteen inches 

 square. For the large breeds, such as the Brahmas, the nests 

 should be sixteen inches square. 



95. Floor Space. Where birds are kept indoors two or three 

 months or more, as they are in cold climates, four square feet 

 of space per bird should be provided. \\^here birds run out the 

 entire year, as in warm climates, less floor space is required. 



96. Poultry House Equipment (see Chapter VIII). The fol- 

 lowing is a list of materials for the house: 



Front corner posts, 1 piece, 4x4 inches, 16 feet long. 



Sills, 4 pieces, 4x4 inches, 12 feet long. 



Back corner posts, 1 piece, 4x4 inches, 12 feet long. ' 



Rafters, 6 pieces, 2x4 inches, 14 feet long. 



Plates, 2 pieces, 2x4 inches, 12 feet long. 



Cross pieces for front opening, 2 pieces, 2x4 inches, 12 feet long. 



For broody coop, 1 piece, 2x4 inches, 12 feet long. 



Perch poles, dressed all sides, 2 pieces, 2x4 inches, 10 feet long. 



Supports for droppings board, 2 pieces, 2x4 inches, 10 feet long. 



