234 USEFUL HINTS 



good, cheap house may be constructed from two 

 piano boxes at a cost of about $3. A simple way to 

 make such a house is to remove the boards from the 

 tall sides of the boxes, place them on two joists, open 

 sides facing each other, and then spike them down 

 securely. Use the boards removed to patch up the 

 open gaps between the boxes, and then cover with 

 some good roofing material. Put in the door and 

 windows, place your nests and roosts, and you will 

 then have a house to accommodate a dozen hens. 

 A good idea is to raise this house a couple of feet 

 from the ground, inclose the back and two ends with 

 boards, leaving the front open, so that the hens can 

 use this space for a scratching place in bad weather. 



