The partitions dividing the twenty foot sections of the roosting closets, as previously explained, are seven feet in width, extending out one foot beyond the dropping boards, which are six feet wide, and thus giving absolute protection to the hen, sitting on the roost, from any draughts which may be blowing through the House.
Two sets of roosts are placed in each roosting closet, each consisting of five perches, of two by two spruce, nine feet, ten inches long, rounded at the top and nailed to a cross piece of the same material. The first perch stands nine inches from the back wall; the others are thirteen inches from center to center. Birds larger than the Leghorns require more space between perches than here specified. The two sets of roosts are placed side by side, and are fastened at the back with a bolt, as shown in the plans. When the dropping boards are being cleaned, the roosts are raised up and fastened to hooks suspended in the ceiling. They are supported in front by a piece of joist one foot high securely nailed to the cross pieces of the roosts.
There are openings under the dropping boards in all the Houses for the egress and ingress of the fowls, with a runway leading to the ground underneath. These openings are securely boxed and are covered at top and bottom to prevent any draughts. The detail of these openings is shown in the plans at the back of the Book.
The nests are all made of boxes bought from grocers and other dealers in the neighborhood, and are much cheaper and better than any nests laid out and built by mechanics. They are put up in three tiers, and fill up the spaces between the windows, as shown in the detailed drawing.
The boxes are cut down to twelve by fourteen inches, which makes the best sized nest.
In the floor of each Laying House there are three hatchways dividing the length of the building into four equal parts. These hatchways are for convenience in removing the litter, and greatly facilitate the operation and reduce the necessary amount of labor, because a wagon can be backed directly underneath. If the wagon should be too high, shovel out a runway for the wheels.
THE CORNING COLONY HOUSE
These hatchways are made of two thicknesses of boards with roofing between and are rabbited and securely fastened.
The nesting material used is fine excelsior. This is better than straw or shavings as it does not offer a convenient home for lice, and, if the nests be thoroughly disinfected with Crude Carbolic and Kerosene, there is no danger of having any.