THE POULTRY BOOK. 
3 
when plucked, and consequently lessens its market value ; the perches, therefore, 
for heavy fowls should be at least three inches in diameter ; nothing will be found 
to answer better than a fir or larch pole about nine inches round, split down the 
middle, and each half placed with the fiat side downwards. The position of the 
perches is even a matter of greater importance than their size. From seeing that 
fowls, when at large, frequently ascend to a great height in the trees in which 
they roost, many persons imagine that high perches in a fowl-house cannot be 
disadvantageous : they forget that, in descending from a tree, the bird flies a con- 
siderable distance, and alights without violence on the ground ; whereas in a 
confined fowl-house this is impracticable, and the bird flutters down almost 
perpendicularly, coming into contact with the floor with great force. The keel of 
the breast-bone of Dorkings is often broken by these falls ; and corns, and that 
slow chronic inflammation termed bumble-foot, are the inevitable result of this 
error in the position of the perches. 
A very convenient arrangement of the nests and perches, where one shed or 
house alone is devoted to roosting, laying, and hatching, is for the perches to occupy 
the centre, and the slanting supports on which they rest to be so slightly inclined 
that the fowls can readily walk down them instead of flying off the upper perches. 
A footway at each end will give ready access to the laying-boxes, and this without 
rendering it necessary for the dirt to be trodden upon, — a point of considerable im- 
portance where there is a due regard for cleanliness. The laying-boxes should be 
placed against the sides of the shed, and covered with a sloping board, so as to 
prevent any birds from roosting upon them. If they are raised about two feet from 
the ground, an additional row of baskets or loose boxes can be placed on the floor 
underneath. 
Where such economy of space is not absolutely necessary as to require the nests 
to be placed in a row, the employment of loose baskets will be found preferable, as 
they enable the whole nest to be removed and thoroughly cleaned after the hens 
have hatched, and from their not being so closely crowded together they do not 
afibrd such a harbour for fleas and other vermin. 
We have always found that the eggs hatch much better if the nests are made by 
placing a cut turf, and a shovel of mould, sand, or ashes, in the box or basket, and 
on this a little short straw. In this way a convenient hollow nest is obtained, that 
prevents the eggs rolling out from under the sitting hen. In cold weather the eggs 
are thus kept of a much more equable temperature than in nests made simply of 
loose straw. 
In a recent number of the Canada Farmer a design for a poultry-house is 
given, which offers a difference of arrangement from those usually constructed in 
this country, and which, with some slight alterations believed to be improve- 
ments, is rej)roduced in the accompanying cuts, representing the external and 
sectional elevations, and the plan of the structure. 
The house is octagonal, that form being chosen as offering a greater internal 
space for the same extent of wall than the square form. The door occupying one 
B 2 
