274 



Poultry-yard Fittings. 



[AUG., 



deep to prevent sagging, but for shorter lengths the depth may 

 be from three and a half to four and a half inches. Perches of 

 this scantling must not be laid flat unless they are very short or 

 are supported in the middle. The half-round perch is still 

 found in many modern houses, and it is undoubtedly a good 

 shape. Rough poles split in halves, with the bark left on, are 

 not suitable, as they harbour insects, and it is impossible to 

 keep them clean. The rectangular perch may be improved by 

 having the upper corners slightly rounded off with a plane. It 

 is advisable that all perches should be planed smooth so that 

 the irregularities which remain in the wood after it is sawn 

 may not hold dirt and insects. 



The importance of having moveable fittings cannot be over- 

 estimated, not only for the reasons already mentioned, but also 

 because it is impossible to fight against an outbreak of disease 

 or a plague of insects if everything within the house is not 

 capable of being easily moved. 



The roost described is of the plainest and simplest type, but 

 for practical purposes it is as good as any. With the object of 

 preventing the attacks of vermin several plans have been 

 proposed, but the strictest cleanliness can be maintained if the 

 roosts are of the simple kind described. Roosts are also made 

 with divisions to prevent overcrowding, but these have proved 

 cumbersome and have met with little favour. 



Nest Boxes for Laying-Hens, — These may be placed either 

 within the roosting house or outside it, and their position must 

 be determined by circumstances. If the house is commodious, 

 with plenty of room in front of the roost, there is nothing to be 

 said against placing the boxes along the front wall, as the hens 

 will go into such a house in the day time to lay. If there is 

 a scratching shed attached, it is always preferable to place the 

 nests in this shed, because it is the natural place of resort for 

 the hens in the day time, and they will lay there more readily 

 than elsewhere ; but in this case there should be a connecting 

 door between the house and the shed, so that the hens have 

 access to the nests at all hours. 



During the summer months, when hens are laying] freely, it 

 may no be easy to arrange enough nests within the house to 

 accommodate all the layers without taking up too much floor 



