HEN-HOUSE. 57 



greater degree of warmth. This is a good 

 plan, but it is liable to some objections. It 

 is more accessible to vermin, such as skunks, 

 minks, and weasels ; it is, I think, rathei 

 more favourable to the increase of lice on 

 the fowls, and, on account of the increased, 

 difficulty of cleaning it out, is liable to be 

 neglected. I have, at least, observed thi& 

 latter circumstance in several buildings thus 

 constructed, although it must be acknowl- 

 edged that this is not an objection to the 

 plan itself. 



The hen-house should, of course, be con- 

 nected with the yard, and the entrance 

 must be by a small opening just large 

 enough to admit a fowl. In districts where 

 foxes, minks, and other noxious animals are 

 numerous, it is well to have this opening a 

 few feet from the ground, with a small pro- 

 jection upon which the fowls can alight. It 

 should also be furnished with a small slide, 

 to shut them up when it is necessary to 

 catch or examine them. I have seen the 

 upper part of a cow-stable converted into a 

 fowl-house, where a want of means has pre- 



