6o The Hen at Work 



with their highest part. This leaves an opening in 

 front four or five inches wide, which allows free 

 ventilation. The opening should be covered with 

 wire netting having a one-inch mesh. 



The door is nine inches high, by seven wide. 

 This gives free passage for all but the big Asiatic 

 birds. With Brahmas one inch more should be 

 allowed for comfort, though it is surprising how 

 small an opening will let hens out. As an experi- 

 ment just leave a four-inch hole somewhere in the 

 fence and find out for yourself. 



Up the sides of the door one-inch strips are 

 nailed, one inch back from the edge, on the out- 

 side. Two-inch strips the same length, nailed so 

 they make a groove one inch deep, will hold a 

 board an inch larger all round than the opening 

 so it will slide up and down, and effectually shut 

 out intruders of all kinds. 



At the bottom of the coop nail skids, pieces 

 of board five inches wide, so they raise the 

 box three inches from the ground. These also 

 help in pulling the coop about from place to 

 place. 



It is of great importance to keep the bottom of 

 the coop above the ground, for wet is dangerous 



