8 
Colorado Experiment Station 
ought not to cost more. A poultryman should be able to do his own 
building, even if he hires it done. By knowing how, it will be done 
right and to hire a carpenter for every little job is costly. 
Nests .—Nests placed on the ground outside and against the build¬ 
ing, covered with a slanting board to shed the rain, are sometimes very 
satisfactory; make openings through the wall of the house into the 
nests. If within the building, they should be above the floor and or¬ 
ange boxes will be found to answer the purpose. They are preferable 
to expensive lumber nests as they can be destroyed when mites infest 
them. When trap nests are used, one nest should be provided for each 
two or three hens, otherwise half the number of nests will be sufficient. 
Fixtures .—All fixtures, such as grit boxes, feed hoppers, water 
dishes, etc., should be placed above the floor. The hopper shown on 
this page is built between the 2x4 studding and is roomy, convenient, 
clean, and can be made with box material. 
Feed Hopper 
Roosts .—Many use 2x4 material for roosts; a piece 2x2 is better 
and costs half as much. A round pole is objectionable, as it soon splits 
and the cracks offer a lodging place for mites. Instead of using hinges 
to fasten the roosts to the wall, a nail will answer the purpose if run 
through the piece supporting the roosts into the studding. The roosts 
may then be swung up out of the way when cleaning. They should be 
about ten inches above the platform, which is easier cleaned if covered 
with litter from the floor. 
Water Supply .—No other water system can equal a living stream 
or spring, and if the fowls can help themselves at will, so much the 
better for them and for their keepers also. Every device or convenience 
that lessens labor, especially if it costs little or nothing, means so 
