HATCHING AND REARING CHICKS 
ing chicks generate a surprisingly large amount of 
bodily warmth, and they should be made to become 
accustomed to do without artificial heat as soon as 
possible, both for their own hardiness and thrift 
and for the economy of the owner. 
The illustration entitled ‘‘ Coop No. 1 for Old 
Hen and Chicks,” shows an excellent brood coop 
for hen and chicks. It is 3x6 feet in size, 30 
inches high in the middle and 22 
inches high at ends. The illustra- 
tion shows one side of the coop, and the other side 
is just the same. The back is boarded up solid. 
The window in each side is 6x 18 inches. The 
wire screen is 12 inches high. The roof is covered 
with roofing fabric and hinged as shown in picture. 
To facilitate cleaning and to prevent damp sleep- 
ing quarters, the rear half of the coop has a remov- 
able board floor, which lies on blocks that raise it 
two or three inches above the ground. A slat 
partition may be placed in the middle of the coop, 
if this is desired, confining the old mother hen to 
the rear of the coop and giving the little ones the 
run of the entire coop. After the chicks are a week 
or so old they should be given their liberty out- 
doors, and then the hen may be allowed possession 
of the entire coop if this be desired. It usually is 
best not to allow the hen her freedom, as she will 
often lead the chicks into undesirable places, such 
as wet grass, shrubbery, etc. 
163 
Brood Coops 
