A SELF-SUPPORTING HOME 



sideration, because, beyond the first outlay 

 for birds, there is little expense. 



An old shed will do quite well for their 

 home; or, if you have not one to spare, 50 

 cents will buy a large dry-goods box from the 

 store in your village, which can be converted 

 into a good, serviceable coop five birds 

 need only three by four floor space. Turn 

 such a case on its side ; put two strips of four 

 by four quartering across the bottom, to keep 

 it from the damp of the earth; rip off the 

 top, and cut the ends diagonally across from 

 front to back, so that when the top is replaced, 

 you have a roof with a pitch of half a foot; 

 then take the strips of board that formed the 

 original top (now the front of your coop), 

 and fit them together evenly on the work- 

 bench; or, if you haven't arrived at that mas- 

 culine dignity, the kitchen table. Measure 

 and cut two lengths of single slats to fit 

 across; nail on boards six inches from each 

 end, to form cleats to hold all the pieces 

 together, and form a solid door for the front 



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