134 DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



well to gratify this natural feeling in the construction of their 

 nests. A screen of lattice-work in front of the boxes, or a few 

 evergreen boughs properly placed, will secure the required 

 seclusion without preventing the circulating of the air. 

 In reference to the poultry-yard Mr. Bement says : 

 "Where it is intended to keep a large number of fowls, let 

 the yard be of ample dimensions, which of course must be reg- 

 ulated by the number intended to be kept. Those contracted 

 seven-by-nine pens which meet our eyes throughout the country 

 are not calculated to answer the purpose for which they were 

 intended. Half an acre, at least, for every hundred fowls (and 

 more than that number should never be kept in one flock), is 

 little space enough for them to roam in ; and in order to unite 

 all the advantages desirable in a poultry-yard, it is indispensa- 

 ble that it neither be too cold during winter nor too hot during 

 summer ; and it must be rendered so attractive to the hens as 

 to prevent their laying in any chance place away from it. To 

 shield them from the chilling blasts of winter and the scorch- 

 ing rays of the sun in summer, we would recommend planting 

 evergreens on the borders of the yard, and shade trees in the 

 center. This, with a good covering of grass, would leave little 

 to be desired on that part. And if the fowls can have access to 

 a grass field occasionally, and the soil dry, then, so far as the 

 ground and situation are concerned, nothing to be wished for 

 remains. 



" A picket fence, from six to seven feet high, will be suffi- 

 cient to prevent the fowls from flying over." 



14. Feeding. The fowl is as omnivorous as a pig or a man, 

 and perhaps a little more so ; nevertheless grain is their staple. 

 Of this they ought to have a variety, as they do not thrive so 

 well when fed constantly with one kind. Corn, wheat, barley, 

 oats, and buckwheat make good feed for them. It is better to 

 have all kinds of grain, intended for feeding fowls, and espe- 

 cially corn, coarsely ground or cracked. It will be. found that 

 they require a smaller quantity in this state. It should be 

 scalded, or at least mixed to the consistency of a stiff batter 



