Coops for Chickens 57 



the floor of the coop tight." How do you know, 

 and when do you find out if you are troubled by 

 rats? Well, some morning when you go out and 

 fipd your chickens half gone, and the rest dead 

 about the coop, with small holes in their necks, 

 or just over their wings, you will know that 

 you are troubled by' rats. It wiU then be time 

 to put a floor in the coop and wait for next 

 year. 



Rats, cats, dogs, hawks, weasels, thunderstorms, 

 and spells of stormy weather must all be faced 

 before the flocks wiU be large enough to look after 

 themselves. 



Unless you are in a position to give chickens 

 adequate well-planned shelter when they are ready, 

 don't start. You will be discouraged, and lose 

 interest in a venture which should be successful, 

 and is of great importance to every one who shares 

 family life. 



This does not mean an. expensive outfit; far from 

 it. The coop in the picture gives perfect protec- 

 tion from rats, cats, and other enemies. It keeps 

 the chickens dry under all conditions, and gives 

 them ventilation on hot nights . If everything were 

 paid for, it would have cost less than a dollar; but 



