POULTRY FOR PROFIT 67 
the droppings will not fall in the scratching 
litter and soil this part of the scratching area. 
These dropping boards are usually placed about 
six inches under the perches, and extend as 
far forward as the perches do. This makes 
the job of cleaning the poultry house quite a 
simple operation. It is advisable to sprinkle 
some sand over the dropping boards to absorb 
the moisture and bad odor. 
We have to give the birds a comfortable, well 
secluded place to lay their eggs. This is some¬ 
times done by placing the nests, or the part 
facing the front wall, covered over with a 
board, that can be raised by means of a hinge, 
when collecting the eggs. The hen can be 
made to enter the nest from the rear, and if 
conditions are so that the nest is darkened, 
then the hen will prefer this place to any 
other place in the house. Nests can also be 
placed along the front wall, underneath the 
windows, or on either side of the house. How¬ 
ever, up to the present time, below the dropping 
boards seems to be the most popular place for 
the nests with most poultry men. 
Every poultry house should have a dust box. 
This is a box partially filled with dust or fine 
