FIBST LESSONS IN FOUL'IUY KEEPINd. 



43 



LESSON vr, 



Rearing Chicks With Hens. 



BEFORE discussing the care of cbicl^s with hens, we must consider the question of 

 coops for hens with chicks. As we found in the last iesson that the necessary appli- 

 ances for hatching chicks with hens were very few, simple, and inexpensive, and that 

 the point of most importance was to provide quarters where the hens and nests would 

 be as free as possible from all kinds of interference, and at the same time the place be con- 

 venient for the attendant; so in rearing chicks with hens we find that the appliances essential 

 when conditions are ideal are simple, and that a variety of makeshifts, costing practically 

 nothing, are used by poultrymen. As special conditions have to be considered, we have to 

 give more attention to providing appliances to meet those conditions, yet in no case need these 

 appliances be such that a. man handy with tools could not make them for himself with little 

 expense tor material. 



The primitive style of chicken coop was probably an old barrel lying on its side on the 

 ground, with stakes driven into the ground 

 across the open end, to confine the hen while 

 giving the chicks liberty. A wide board closed 

 the end of the barrel at night, or at any time It 

 was desired to confine the chicks; this board 

 being simply set in position and held there by 

 a stone, brick, or block of wood. Barrels are 

 often so used still. 



An improvement on this form of quickly 

 Improvised coop was the box turned over on Common ji Shaped Coop. 



one side, with slats nailed across the open front. Should be not less than 12 inches wide; 14 or 16 Inches 

 With boxes of good size, and fairly substantial is beltei-. Length o£ sides about 3 ft. 



construction, such an arrangement is still a good one where there are few enemies to molest 

 the chicks, and they can have good range. The principal objection to it is that the hen is rather 

 closely confined. 



Of coops made for the purpose, the simplest is the common \ shaped coop illustrated above. 

 I do not recommend it except as an emergency coop. It can be quickly and easily made, and 

 almost any old material will work intojt, so if a coop is needed in a great hurry this will do, 



A better form of this style coop is the A shaped coop with pen and movable shelter board 

 shown in the accompanying cut. 



This coop may be made either with or without floor. If to be used on heavy soil that holds 

 the water after a rain, it should have a floor. If used on land that drains quickly, no floor is 

 needed. Many people use and like Ijhese a shaped coops. It has always seemed to me that 

 must be because they were used to them, and had not tried the other style. I might use such 

 ooops temporarily, but for a regular thing I prefer a box coop in its general makeup resem- 

 bling the coop shovrn below with knock down pen. 



