HOME-MADE CONVENIENCES 173 



between the coop slats, and hip and back injuries be- 

 come common. The remedy is a good-sized weaning 

 coop, with a low, broad roost. Entering it in the day- 

 time they learn to like the roost, and soon, to use it 

 at night, also. Those which do not must be taught to 

 do so. 



During the hottest six or eight weeks, my preference 

 would be for a coop constructed chiefly of wire except 

 for the roof and the side next the prevailing wind, which 

 we will make the back. The roof should overhang to 

 protect the end birds from rain. This coop may have 

 two one-inch by three-inch strips nailed together to form 

 each corner angle. A similar strip may be used at the 

 top, on both sides and in front. A ten-inch board should 

 follow all around the bottom. Such a coop, being so 

 light, must be anchored to the ground, or it may become 

 a flying machine during any high wind. It may have 

 a floor or not, as the owner chooses. Generally, I pre- 

 fer a floored coop. The back is to be of matched stuff, 

 or carefully battened. If theworker has been foresighted 

 enough to plan his early coops on the right scale to per- 

 mit this, the panels which closed the baby chicks se- 

 curely may now be used as buttoned-in fronts to the 

 weaning coops, which will need an upright strip at 

 center to help this plan, and also for strength. More 

 of these coops throughout the country would mean many 

 more good birds in the fall. 



In raising motherless chicks without a brooder, a 

 handy inclosure may be made so as to be easily mov- 

 able from any spot which has become undesirable, at 

 will ; from soiled ground to clean, from shade to sun, or 

 the reverse, from wind to sheltered corner. Half-inch 



