206 POULTRY BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT 



domestic fowls, retains the power of flying. This is another 

 instance of where the poultry breeder is helpless in chang- 

 ing the nature of the hen. In another thousand years or 

 two the wings of fowls, through disuse, may diminish in 

 size and strength to such an extent that poultry fences will 

 be cut down to a height that will serve only to keep the hen 

 from walking over them. As it is, the wing is a part of the 

 hen which, no matter how valuable it may originally have 

 been to her, is now positively a detriment not only to the 

 poultryman, who is making a considerable investment in 

 fences, but to the neighbor engaged in gardening. 



The Height of Fences. In practice, fences are usually 

 made from 4 to 6 feet high, the lower fence for the heavier 

 meat breeds and the higher for the light breeds. Even 6 

 feet is too low for some of the Leghorns or other small 

 breeds, but fences are seldom made higher than this. By 

 clipping the wings, or one wing of each fowl, the 6-foot fence 

 will be high enough for the smallest or most active fowls. 

 "Where it is not desirable to clip the wing, it will be neces- 

 sary to make the fence about 8 feet high for the active 

 breeds. 



Material. Poultry fences are almost invariably made of 

 poultry netting. It is made of galvanized wire and the 

 size ranges about 18-gage to 20-gage, usually 19 or 20. For 

 a durable, substantial fence, the 18-gage is recommended. 

 The durability of the wire depends upon its being well 

 galvanized. For adult fowls 2-inch mesh wire is used ; for 

 small chicks 1-inch or %-inch mesh. The posts should be 

 set 10 feet apart, not more than 12. A 2 x 4-inch post 

 treated with a preservative is heavy enough, though a 4 x 4 

 will last longer. 



Shade and Fruit Trees. Shade is very necessary for 

 fowls in summer. This may be secured from fruit trees 



