HOUSES AND YARDS. 25 



inch mesh), eight itieii high, boarded up two feet 

 from the groimd between the yards, to prevent 

 the cocks fighting through the wire. This is the 

 most dangerous of all warfare, as the birds injure 

 themselves in the meshes, and (Dorkings espe- 

 cially) are apt to tear their combs and toes in them. 



In each yard there should be a water- vessel, and 

 a small, low lean-to shed, under which is the dust- 

 bath — viz., a box, filled with dry ashes, or sand 

 and lime rubbish. This shed also serves for shelter 

 from rain and sun. It should be placed against 

 the front of the hen-house, sloping to the front. 

 A trap, a foot and a half square, must be cut in 

 the fencing round each yard, to admit of the fowls 

 being let out to the grass park, and each house 

 should open into its own yard, for the convenience 

 of cleaning out, catching the fowls, &c. 



It is of advantage to poultry houses to be en 

 suite, communicating with each other by doors, 

 to allow them to be cleaned from end to end 

 without the necessity of passing through the 

 yards ; and there must be a trap from the house 

 into the yard for the egress and ingress of the 

 fowls at pleasure. I would recommend that all 



