286 POULTRY PRODUCTION 



or doors as possible. In an open-front pen this will usually 

 be the back side. 



In order to insure comfort the perches provided should 

 allow from six to eight inches room for each bird and be 

 fifteen inches apart. All perches should be on the same level 

 to avoid the crowding that results from the effort of all to 

 sleep on the topmost perch. Good rest is as essential to 

 chickens as to any other class of live stock. The most 

 common material used for perches is 2 x 4 lumber. This 

 may be laid on the side or placed on edge. In the latter 

 case it is well to round the upper edges to avoid bruising 

 the feet. 



If a dropping board is used in connection with the perches 

 it should be of the very best of matched material and tightly 

 made so that there will be no cracks for mites to find their 

 way, into. It should be removable so that the ends may be 

 easily accessible when spraying. The dropping board should 

 be far enough below the perches to permit its being cleaned 

 without removing them. 



Dust Wallow. — The advisability of furnishing hens with a 

 dust bath is a question upon which poultrymen differ. The 

 great arguments in its favor are that the hens like it and it 

 helps to keep down the lice. However, even where a covered 

 wallow is furnished, it makes the house dirty and fills the air 

 with dust particles. Almost invariably the hens will come 

 outside the inclosure before shaking themselves. If it lessens 

 the labor of fighting lice it increases the necessity of the 

 rather frequent cleaning of the house. 



Broody Coop. — ^The broody coop is a great convenience for 

 breaking up broody hens, isolating injured fowls, or for keep- 

 ing extra male birds where one is alternating males. For its 

 main purpose of breaking up broody hens it should be ton- 

 structed with a slatted bottom. It is often convenienc to 

 locate the broody coop at the end of the dropping board, 

 but it may be fastened to the wall or suspended from the 

 roof. 



Feeding Shelf. — ^It is necessary to have a place where the 

 watering device and feed hoppers can be kept so that the 

 hens cannot scratch the litter into them. For this a shelf, 



