ROOSTING COMPARTMENTS 



137 



of the fowls, but perhaps the nests as well. They should consist 

 of matched boards — 8-inch. roofers or 6-inch tongue-and-grooved 

 fence boards are just the thing, and secured to their framework 

 at right angles to the rear wall, never lengthwise of the house. 

 The reason for this is apparent : there is a tendency for the boards 

 to warp and curl, which would seriously interfere with scraping 



(Graund fine 



Fig. 96.- 



(Cornell Experiment Station) 



-Cross-section of laying house 16 feet deep, built on continuous plan, 

 any length desired. 



the boards at cleaning time if the hoe or similar implement had 

 to oppose these cracks and irregular places. 



Roosting Curtains. — When the roosting compartments are 

 arranged as described above, it is a simple matter to fit the fronts 

 of them with curtains, which may be lowered on extremely cold 

 nights and hooked up to the ceiling in the daytime, a practice, 

 however, which is not necessary except in very cold climates. 

 Heavy unbleached muslin or a light duck tacked to a wooden 

 batten or pole makes a good arrangement. 



