346 Animal Husbandry 
catch the fowl about the shank. This hook should have a rather 
wide aperture so as to permit the shank to be easily caught, but 
the lower part of the hook should be sufficiently restricted to 
prevent the shank from being easily withdrawn. The successful 
poultryman will be constantly in search of appliances that will 
reduce his labor to a minimum (Fig. 139). 
Fic. 139. — Outdoor feed hopper. A place for each kind of food. 
565. Yards, parks, and ranges. — Among poultry, as well as 
other farm animals, exercise is essential to thrift and constitutional 
vigor. On farms where fowls are given free range, this is abun- 
dantly provided for and need receive little or no attention. On 
the other hand, where it is necessary to restrict the range of the 
fowls, the matter of exercise becomes a serious question, partic- 
ularly among young fowls and among the egg-producing breeds. 
While there is an utter lack of agreement among poultrymen 
as to the proper amount of park-space to provide, yet it would 
seem that sixteen square rods would provide ample yardage for a 
flock of fifty hens. While such a yard could be more cheaply 
