Coops for Chickens 65 



inches longer than the floor they will, if started 

 flush with the front comer of the floor, extend be- 

 yond the rear guard board and come flush with the 

 edge of the back, so nails may be driven through 

 the scantling on the edge of the sides, into that 

 on the edge of the back, making a firm joint. 



This completes the coop, except for the top and 

 front. 



The top is made of two pieces of wall-board two 

 and a half feet wide, edged and braced like the 

 other pieces. The center brace, when the strips 

 are pieced, should be a six-inch board, to give the 

 middle a firm support. These will probably be six 

 feet long, unless an overhang is desired, but new 

 measurements should be taken now, after the 

 sides are up, so the top will have its edges even 

 with the back and sides. It is a simple matter to 

 drive a few nails through the edge pieces of the 

 top into the side trimmings, which will hold it 

 solidly in place. 



Roofing paper of any good grade may easily be 

 laid over the top, so it will extend beyond the edge 

 four inches. In the picture this overlap is partly 

 removed, showing the joint between the top and 

 side pieces. 



