306 



HOME LIFE IN FLORIDA. 



We have spoken elsewhere of triangular coops for little 

 chickens in the nursery. Now, this triangular shape is a 

 good one also for a movable poultry-house in its simplest 

 form. 



Of course, for this purpose it must be considerably larger 

 than if designed merely for a hen and brood ; there is no 

 need that it should stand higher, but its length should 

 be proportionate to' the number of fowls to be housed. 



All of the material used should be as light as possible, with- 

 out sacrificing strength. Quarter-inch boards, nailed to 

 end-laths, three feet long and overlapping like weather- 

 boarding, are best for the roof, which, of course, is in two 

 pieces or sides. When these are put together by means of 

 hooks or screws (the latter being preferred) one side should 

 project at the top above the other to shed rain. 



It does not matter much at what angle the sides are 

 joined to form the pitch-roof, so that height enough is left 

 for the perches, which run from end to end, lengthwise, 

 the nests being set on the ground against the ends. 



The triangular ends of this simple poultry-house are 

 made either of battens nailed across, close enough to keep 

 out skunks and opossums, or else of wire-cloth ; trap-doors, 

 one at each end, that are closed at night, complete this 

 little poultry-house, in which are combined lightness and 

 strength, safety and ventilation, 



