The Hen Coop. 197 



them, but cannot stand or get into them. They are made 

 both in ware and zinc, and can be obtained at reasonable 

 prices. 



Aftei the hen and her brood have had their first feed, they 

 should be removed to a coop, either placed in a shed (such 

 as we have before described), or in some warm, dry, sheltered 

 spot, where the sun will reach. A lawn, a meadow, a wood, 

 or, in fact, any place that is grassy, and, what we have said, 

 will answer ; but it must be away from the ordinary hens, 

 as they are very apt, from jealous motives, to interfere with 

 chickens ; and, for the same reason, coops must not be too 

 near each other, without some provision to prevent the hens 

 fighting, which will not be to the advantage of the young 

 broods. Coops of all patterns, shapes, and sizes can be 

 obtained, but if cheapness be desired more than appearance, 

 a box or a barrel is capable of being made into a good coop, 

 hy any one handy with tools. The things to be sought for 

 in a coop are— that it shall be dry above and below, ventilated, 

 but free from draughts, easily moved about, having laths or 

 bars at the front, so that the chicks can get out and in, but 

 not the hen, and have a folding shutter, so that the whole 

 can be closed up at night. If the ground be dry and sandy 

 in its nature, or, when the coop is in the shed, there need be 

 no floor, as the straw used will be sufficient ; but, if it be at 

 all damp or cold, a wooden floor should be used. A flour 

 barrel, which can be bought for a quarter* will make two 

 good coops, if the head be fixed on and the barrel itself sawn 

 in two. Laths can then be nailed on to the only open part, 

 constituting it the front, and two or three staves can be taken 

 out of the under sides, so that there will be no floor, or it 

 can be raised up above the ground by wooden feet or bricks, 

 which should always be done when a wooden floor is used. 

 Thus in a very simple manner can a capital coop be made, 

 and at little cost; but if something better is needed any 



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