HATCHING AND REARING CHICKS 



ing chicks generate a surprisingly large amount of 

 bodily warmth, and they should be made to become 

 accustomed to do without artificial heat as soon as 

 possible, both for their own hardiness and thrift 

 and for the economy of the owner. 



The illustration entitled " Coop No. I for Old 

 Hen and Chicks," shows an excellent brood coop 

 for hen and chicks. It is 3x6 feet in size, 30 



inches high in the middle and 22 

 Brood Coops . . . , , r^. ... 



inches high at ends. The illustra- 

 tion shows one side of the coop, and the other side 

 is just the same. The back is boarded up solid. 

 The window in each side is 6 x 1 8 inches. The 

 wire screen is 1 2 inches high. The roof is covered 

 with roofing fabric and hinged as shown in picture. 

 To facilitate cleaning and to prevent damp sleep- 

 ing quarters, the rear half of the coop has a remov- 

 able board floor, which lies on blocks that raise it 

 two or three inches above the ground. A slat 

 partition may be placed in the middle of the coop, 

 if this is desired, confining the old mother hen to 

 the rear of the coop and giving the little ones the 

 run of the entire coop. After the chicks are a week 

 or so old they should be given their liberty out- 

 doors, and then the hen may be allowed possession 

 of the entire coop if this be desired. It usually is 

 best not to allow the hen her freedom, as she will 

 often lead the chicks into undesirable places, such 

 as wet grass, shrubbery, etc. 



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