WITH 4200 HENS 61 





 The final part is three supports to hold the running 



board in the open position. These should be six inches 

 long, one near each end and one in the center. To 

 get their proper position hold the running board squarely 

 at right angles to the nestbox (the hinges must first be 

 fastened to the 6-inch front board) and toe-nail the three 

 supports in place so that the running board drops on 

 them evenly. This is the best combination running board 

 and nest-closing arrangement the writer has ever seen. 

 It is the idea, one among many in use on our places, ot 

 the writer's father-in-law, Mr. W. C. Freeman. 



Above the nest is a protector, designed to prevent the 

 hens roosting over the nests. This is made of 3 pieces 

 of ^x6 stuff, nailed to S cleats, of proper length to cover 

 each section of nest boxes. The lower edge of it rests 

 on the slight projection of the top of the nest and the 

 upper edge lies against the studs. It is nailed to the studs 

 but not necessarily at the bottom. The nest boxes can 

 be lifted out at cleaning time if desired. An open space 

 is left between the studs which provides a meager foot- 

 ing for the more ambitious young pullets, but we seldom 

 if ever find one staying there all night; the position is 

 too uncomfortable. 



Broody Coop 



A broody coop is put in each compartment, under the 

 dropboard, and covers one-half the center section. The 

 bottom support or sill is made of one 1x6-7 and one 

 1x6-8, standing on edge and nailed together at right 

 angles. 



The outer edge of the front drop board joist serves for 

 the front plate and a strip of 1x3-7 is nailed to the joist 



