214 PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 



position as indicated. In the spring when the breed- 

 ing stock no longer requires quarters in addition to the 

 roosting room, the scratching shed may be used to ad- 

 vantage as a brooder house or colony house. 



Each of the two parts should have a full sized door 

 in one end. 



In addition to the extra lumber secured from the 

 tops and backs of the boxes, a small amount may be re- 

 quired to finish the structure and its interior fittings. 



FEXCING. 



MATERIALS. Fences for poultry yards may be made of 

 pickets, laths or narrow strips of boards, nailed upon a 

 frame of scantling. 



If the strips are placed obliquely rather than verti- 

 cally, upon the horizontal bars and a second layer of 

 strips nailed over the first at any desired angle, an 

 attractive lattice is formed. By running vines over the 

 lattice work its appearance may be further improved. 



Common wire poultry netting, one inch mesih for 

 chicks, two inch mesh for bantams, and two or three 

 inch mesh for the larger breeds of fowl, is very com- 

 monly employed for making fences. This material is 

 difficult to stretch straight and to keep from bulging or 

 warping, after it is in place. The posts for such fencing 

 require to be placed rather near together. Eight to ten 

 feet apart will answer. 



Boards are often used for the base of such a fence; 

 especially where it divides adjoining yards containing 

 male birds that are inclined to quarrel. If they try to 

 fight through wire netting they are very likely to muti- 

 late their combs or wattles on the fine wires. Netting 

 of one inch mesh may be used for the lower two feet of 

 the fence if it is more convenient or economical than 

 boarding. 



Woven wire fencing made with the meshes small at 

 the lower part and increasing in size towards the top is 

 extensively used. It requires fewer posts than the poul- 



