POULTRY ENEMIES. 



As every poultry-yard is more or less infested with, or annoyed by rats, 

 weasels, skunks, and other vermin, we have been induced to give in these 

 pages what we can find upon the subject of interest, and 



HOW TO PREVENT THE DEPREDATIONS 



of vermin on poultry. The most common enemy has proved with us to be 

 rats. We have had them frequently carry off chicks and ducks fully a 

 quarter grown, to say nothing of the depredations they have committed on 

 broods but a few days old, in some instances carrying off whole clutches in 

 the course or a few nights. 



THE COMMON STEEL TRAP. 



We have used the common steel trap, for catching rats, with good success 

 in our poultry-yard, but after a time the varmints become shy of its open 

 jaws, and it fails to perform the good offices we desire to have it. We have 

 then taken to the 



COMMON BOX TRAP, 



which is shown in fig. 1, and with which we have been quite successful. It 

 can be made by almost any one who is conversant with the use of tools, 

 requiring a few boards, nails and wire in its construction, and will last for 

 years, with any ordinary care. 



HOW THE TRAP IS MADE. 



The top and bottom of the trap are made of oak boards one inch thick and 

 twenty inches square. It is divided into two parts, making really two dis- 

 tinct traps. The corners are of wire about one-quarter inch diameter, and 

 the sides and partition of No. 7 wire. Holes are bored both top and 

 bottom and the wires inserted. The corner wires are riveted, holding the 

 trap firmly together ; the doors are of oak, three-quarter inch thick, and are 

 kept in place by a cross wire on the top board of the trap and by two small 

 staples near the bottom edge of the door, which slide on the upright wires on 

 each side. The treadle, X, is also oak, working on the upright pin, O, as a 

 fulcrum, and being held in place by the wire hook, V, working on a pivot at 



