316 NATURAL INCUBATION AND BROODING 



south side of a stone wall if available. High ground should be 

 selected, so that during long periods of wet weather the water 

 will not collect in or about the shelters. If possible they should 

 be placed near the residence, so that they can be carefully watched. 

 Materials used for such Shelters. As a matter of fact, a great 

 variety of materials are used in the construction of individual 

 coops. Small A-shaped (Fig. 151) or shed-roof coops represent 

 the best types, since they are easy to construct and answer all 

 the purposes. Barrels placed on the side may be used, and tight 

 boxes or berry crates are often satisfactory if a piece of water- 

 proof paper is placed over the top. The protection necessary 



Fio. 151. Two common types of sitting coops. 



depends upon the season of the year when the hatch is to take place. 

 Protect the nest both from rain water and soil moisture, and make 

 it so that it can be closed at night. 



The following points should be considered in constructing a 

 special sitting house of the large type: (1) It should be proof 

 against rats and skunks, that is, made so that the front of the 

 coop can be covered at night with small-mesh wire to keep animals 

 from entering. (2) It should be free from large cracks or crevices 

 and have a smooth inside finish, because of damage from mites. 

 (3) It is a great advantage to have a false bottom in each nest. 



The small coops can be used with or without such bottom, 

 but it is most useful when the chicks are very young, or early in 

 the spring when the ground is wet. Moreover, by having the 

 bottom movable it is much easier to cleanse the inside. The coop 

 should be built with the idea of using it for a brooding coop after 

 the hatch, and it should be so planned as to confine the hen yet 

 give the chicks freedom. This can be done by putting slats over 

 the front of the coop, sufficiently far apart to allow passage of the 



