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 
Fria. 151.—Two common types of sitting:geops. 
depends upon the season of the year when the hatch is to take place. 
Protect the nest both from rain water and soil molsmreg@le make 
it so that it can be closed at night. 
The following points should be considered in collage cting 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 
