Sheds. 19 



The yard should be sheltered from the north and east 

 s, arid where this is effected by the position of a shrub- 

 bery or plantation in which the fowls may be allowed to 

 run, it will afford the advantage of protection, not only 

 from wind and cold, but also shelter from the rain and the 

 burning sun. It also furnishes harbourage for insects, 

 which will find them both food and exercise in picking up. 

 Indeed, for all these purposes a few bushes may be advan- 

 tageously planted in or adjoining any poultry-yard. When 

 a tree can be enclosed in a run, it forms an agreeable object 

 for the eye, and affords shelter to the fowls. 



A covered run or shed for shelter in wet or hot weather 

 is a great advantage, especially if chickens are reared. It 

 may be constructed with a few rough poles supporting a 

 roof of patent felt, thatch, or rough board, plain or painted 

 for preservation, and may be made of any length and width, 

 from four feet upwards, and of any height from four feet at the 

 back and three feet in the front, to eight feet at the back and six 

 feet in the front. The shed should, if possible, adjoin the fowl- 

 house. It should be wholly or partly enclosed with wire- 

 work, which should be boarded for a foot from the ground 

 to keep out the wet and snow, and to keep in small chickens. 

 The roof should project a foot beyond the uprights which 

 support it, in order to throw the rain well off, and have a 

 gutter-shoot to carry it away and prevent it from being blown 

 in upon the enclosed space. The floor should be a little 

 higher than the level of the yard, both in order to keep it 

 dry and the easier to keep it clean ; and it should be higher 

 at the back than in the front, which will keep it drained if 

 any wet should be blown in or water upset. If preferred, 

 moveable netting may be used, so that the fowls can be 

 allowed their liberty in fine weather, and be confined in 

 wet weather. But the boarding must be retained to keep 

 out the wet. The ground may be left in its natural state 

 for the fowls to scratch in, in which case the surface should 

 be dug up from time to time and replaced with fresh earth 

 pressed down moderately hard. If the house is large and 

 has a good window, a shed is not absolutely necessary, 

 especially for a few fowls only, but it is a valuable addition, 



