YARDS AND FENCES-, '^ ibf 



compartment of a poultry house to its corresponding yard, the out- 

 side gates need be used only in taking care of yards, removing and 

 replacing litter, sand, etc., and with such infrequent use it is not 

 necessary to make their opening and closing in any degree " auto- 

 matic." None of the many (so-called) automatic hinges, springs, 

 catches, bolts, etc. used on outside gates work well for both open- 

 ing and closing and give security in strong winds and against dogs 

 or other small animals that might try to force them. For this reason 

 most poultry keepers whose stock is quite closely yarded, after a 

 little experience with outside gates, abandon their use for regular 

 passage in getting from flock to flock in the same building, and 

 go through the house, where the use of spring hinges and weights 

 to make doors self-closing and secure without fastening is practical. 



Construction of gates should correspond to construction of fences, 

 the gates being made as light as is consistent with strength. For 

 fences up to four feet high small gates may be of either lath or wire 

 netting on a light frame of furring. For higher fences heavier 

 material should be used. For openings for the passage of a cart the 

 frame must be stiff and well braced. The width of a single gate 

 is usually adapted to passage with a wheelbarrow. The maximum 

 requirement is three feet. For the ordinary-sized garden wheelbar- 

 row two feet eight inches will answer, but there is no gain in cutting 

 down the width, and it is an advantage to have gates so wide that 

 a man with a wheelbarrow does not have to consider his knuckles. 



Hinges for light gates, little used, may be as small as four inches, 

 either a strap or a T- hinge being used. For gates much used, heavier 

 hinges are preferable. A hinge too light for the use to which it is 

 put not only gives out quickly but allows the gate to sag and rock. 

 Hooks with staples or screw eyes make the most convenient and 

 economical fastenings. They should be so adjusted that the gate 

 is held snug when closed. 



