106 COOPS. 



to permit the chickens to run in and out. 

 Some of these should have boarded bottoms, 

 to be used according to the season ; but per- 

 haps it would be better still to have a num- 

 ber of platforms always on hand, to be used 

 as occasion may require. In wet seasons, 

 or in early spring, these, platforms should be 

 always put under the coops, and should be 

 large enough to project four or five inches 

 in front. 



It is a good plan to have a broad and 

 short piece of board on which to place the 

 food and water. In the ordinary mode of 

 supplying chickens with water by means of 

 small troughs, they are apt to get into the 

 water, and become chilled and die. To ob- 

 viate this, get two tin pans, or earthen sau- 

 cers, such as hold flower pots, one somewhat 

 smaller than the other. Place them within 

 each other, and fill up the space between 

 with water. To render this more accessible 

 to the very young chickens, it may be well 

 to sink the larger pan into the feeding-board, 

 and nearly on a level with it. This board 

 may be fitted with leather hinges, so as to 



