Guard against Enemies 95 



one door were provided. This arrangement, how- 

 ever, may not be found to be applicable on many 

 farms, particularly where but one small house 

 is needed. 



Vermin, etc. Rats and mice often become seri- 

 ous pests in poultry houses, particularly if grain 

 is 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 entirely 

 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 great- 

 est freedom from rats and mice. Isolated build- 

 ings 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 according to his 

 best judgment. It may be necessary in some cases 

 to cover entirely small yards in which young chick- 

 ens are kept, with netting, in order to protect them 

 properly from hawks and crows. A covered run for 



