Layout and design
The Hen House and the Goose House lie on either side
of the House of the Fowlkeepers, one to the west, one to
the east (fig. 466). They are the same size and identical
in design. Each consists of three concentric circles, drawn
at diameters of 12½, 27½, and 42½ feet. The only entrance
to each is on the side facing the House of the Fowlkeepers.
The enclosures are identified by metric titles written in
capitalis rustica (a distinction not accorded to any other
building housing animals):
PULLORUM HIC CURA ET PERPES NUTRITIO CONSTAT
HERE IS ESTABLISHED THE CARE OF THE CHICKENS
AND THEIR CONTINUOUS NOURISHMENT
and:
ANSERIBUS LOCUS HIC PARITER MANET APTUS ALENDIS
THIS PLACE IS WELL FIT FOR THE SUSTENANCE OF GEESE
The intermediate bands are not provided with titles, and
the inner circle is decorated with an eight-lobed rosette—of
the same design and probably the same apotropaic purpose
as the corresponding symbol in the two church towers.
The interpretation of these two circular poultry houses
poses problems.
