Enemies of Poultry 89 



kept in these buildings. For the same reason, it 

 is generally best to locate the poultry houses some 

 distance from other farm buildings, particularly 

 from those in which grain is stored. Every farmer 

 well knows how difficult it is to store grain for 

 any considerable length of time and keep it en- 

 tirely free from these pests. While convenience 

 of access is of prime importance, yet often 

 it is best to make a slight sacrifice of labor in 

 order to secure the greatest freedom from rats 

 and mice. Isolated buildings will probably give 

 the greatest satisfaction in the end. Mice will 

 probably not be troublesome in poultry houses 

 unless grain is stored in these buildings, but rats 

 are likely to give more or less trouble, particularly 

 in brooder houses and in pens or yards frequented 

 by young chickens. 



In some localities crows, hawks, skunks and 

 other poultry enemies give some trouble, and 

 one must plan to meet these annoyances ac- 

 cording to his best judgment. It may be neces- 

 sary in some cases to cover entirely small yards, 

 in which young chickens are kept, with netting, 

 in order to protect them properly from hawks 

 and crows. A covered run for little chickens is 

 described in the chapter on feeding. Skunks 

 may be excluded by proper fencing. Wherever 

 vermin are numerous enough to give serious an- 

 noyance, all possible ingenuity should be exer- 



