HOUSES AND YARDS 33 



Indeed; where a great number of fowls is kept, 

 more than one will be necessary. The interior 

 should be fitted up with a row of nests ; in fact, 

 a broad wooden shelf, divided into compartments 

 a foot and a half square, covered over with a roof 

 sloping to the front. The additional height at 

 the back gives better ventilation to the sitting 

 hens; and this has more to do with their health 

 and comfort, and consequent good hatching, than 

 most are aware of. Generally speaking, sitting 

 places are too close and confined, showing a 

 marked difiference, indeed, to those selected by 

 the hens themselves if allowed freedom of choice. 

 A sitting-house being a necessary evil in a 

 poultry establishment, let us make it as comfort- 

 able as possible to the poor hen during her 

 retrdite. Each nest must have a folding flap in 

 front, to secure the hen from any intrusion on 

 the part of her neighbours, and to confine her if 

 at all inclined to vagrancy. The flaps should be 

 numbered, and a few air-holes pierced in each ; 

 the lower panels of the nests be made to slide 

 out and in, as after each occupancy it is advisable 

 to have them washed. The sitting-house yard 



