AMERICAN POULTRY CULTURE 
there may be on the roosts, only a portion of the 
lower space is occupied, while the higher poles are 
crowded, and the fowls are as compactly pressed 
together as if the packing process had been done 
purposely in order to get all the fowls as high up 
as possible. 
There are several potent objections to such 
roosts, not only so far as the health and com- 
fort of the fowls are concerned while they are 
sleeping, but also because the roosts are unsightly, 
unhandy and filthy. By all the fowls striving for 
the topmost perch they frequently crowd each other 
off, and harmful results often follow such accidents. 
Even when there is no crowding, the highest 
perches are so far removed from the floor that 
heavy fowls often fall when getting off in the morn- 
ing, or if they do alight properly, the distance is 
so great that their feet are often injured and some- 
times even bruises and jars to the body result. 
The best perches are from two to three inches 
wide, slightly rounded at the upper edges, and 
one or two inches thick, or heavy enough to pre- 
vent sagging or breaking with the weight of the 
fowls. It is best for the roosts not to touch the 
walls of the house at any place, as otherwise lice 
and mites can spread all over the building. In this 
event it becomes impossible to totally exterminate 
them; but if the roosting fixture is not attached to 
the house in any way the vermin cannot get off the 
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