f) 
THE POULTRY BOOK. 
should also be considerably shorter than the house is long, in order to leave a 
space at each end for the nests, which may be advantageously arranged on the 
floor. If preferred, a moveable frame or roost, such as is shown in the accom* 
panying engraving, may be used. 
FRAME FOR ROOST. 
It is not essential to success that the nests should be upon the ground, though 
many persons always so construct them for the use of their hens, in conformity 
with the general observation that fowls, when left to themselves, usually do so. 
But, whether on the ground or raised somewhat above it, they should be warm and 
somewhat secluded. For a soft material to place within them we like straw, cut 
into short lengths by a chaff-cutting machine, as well as anything ; though some 
breeders prefer heath similarly treated. In cold weather, a thick bed of ashes 
under the straw will be found to retain the heat of the hen more completely, and to 
yield more satisfactory results. We shall, however, enter more fully into this part 
of the subject in our chapter upon the management of the hen whilst sitting. 
Perches, although essential to the lighter varieties, are not necessary for Cochins 
and Brahmas, who do better on a floor littered down warmly with straw, the same 
as for a horse, the straw being gathered up in the morning as is done by the groom. 
Some breeders of Cochins have a latticed floor without even straw. Other breeders 
have latticed benches raised about six inches from the floor ; and some give the 
birds nothing but a bed of sand to rest upon. All practical authorities agree in 
the opinion that for heavy birds to roost on narrow perches is productive of crooked 
breast-bones — a result that might be anticipated, as the pressure is unavoidably in 
one place during the whole roosting time. This deformity is a most serious defect 
in any specimens of poultry, but more particularly in those intended for the table. 
If perches are adopted for Cochins, they should not be more than one or two 
feet from the ground ; for, if higher, these weighty birds, with defective wings, 
are very liable to be lamed in descending. Wherever perches are employed, their 
oblique arrangement, one above and behind the other, has merits as regards the 
comfort of the birds, the economical arrangement of space, and facility for cleaning 
the house. Each perch thus forms a step to the one above ; and if the floor 
beneath be well sanded, a common road-scraper, or similar implement, removes 
the dirt with the least possible labour. In the annexed sketch the highest of the 
perches is three feet from the ground, and they are so arranged as to drop into 
niches formed by nailing pieces of wood on the bar that carries them ; these niches 
should be placed two feet apart. 
Latticed floors do not seem comfortable to poultry ; and as the manure that falls 
