HOUSING AND HYGIENE 



285 



In bedding the nests the same care should be taken as is 

 suggested for the hatching nest (see page 184). 



Nests for ducks should always be on the floor. In fact 

 there is no need of nests where the floor of the house is kept 

 well bedded with straw. 



Perches. — Perches are necessary for chickens, but not for 

 waterfowl. The droppings of the former adhere to the feathers 

 if the birds are not on an elevated perch. With water- 

 fowl the voidings are semifluid and the feathers so arranged 



Fio. 157 



The dropping board should be removable for spraying. (Courtesy of 

 Missouri State Poultry Experiment Station.) 



that soiling does not occur. The perches should be removable, 

 free from cracks, located where there is no possibility of 

 drafts, and comfortable. The roosting quarters are likely 

 to be the part of the house most often infested with mites. 

 Unless the perch is free from cracks and can be removed so 

 as to expose the ends, it is very difficult to reach the mites and 

 their eggs. Unless the eggs are reached and killed, spray- 

 ing only gives temporary relief. In order to avoid drafts 

 the perches will be located as far away from the windows 



