UARAOBUBNT OF CHICKENS. 93 



ftnua, espeoiiiUy in tailings, than the other cereals mentioned, 

 and cannot uyure her little family, even if she does give them 

 a grain or two. 



For the first week or two the ooop should be placed in a warm 

 sheltered spot, but taken into a safe place at night. As the 

 chicks gain strength it should be moved on to a' grass plat. The 

 ordinary-shaped coop, with a sloping roof and barred front, is as 

 good a one as any, only I should advise handles, strong wooden 

 ones, being fixed to each side to facilitate movement. .Boarded 

 bottomed coops are not desirable — ^it is far better to place a bot- 

 tomless ooop on the ground — else you might have small wheels 

 to your coops to push them along when . changing their place. 

 In a case of emergency, or if the expensF of a ooop cannot be 

 incurred, an old cask or beer-barrel makes a very fair coop. 

 Knock out one end and put laths across, leaving one to draw in 

 or out, and take out the staves lyhich rest on the ground. The 

 barrel should be propped on each side to prevent its moving, and 

 a tarpaulin must be provided to throw over it at night to prevent 

 any rain soaking in the knocked-out end, and ifpil serve as a 

 cover for the opening, which must be closed, for fear of cats, 

 foxes, rats, and such creatures. Holes for ventilation must be 

 drilled in this cover. I have reared many a healthy small brood 

 in a barrel in this way. It is easily rolled, too, into a fresh place, 

 and if you have not coops enough, and do not know where to 

 stow your small families, barrels or boxes must be turned to 

 account. 



The chicks when about a week old should be allowed a little 

 liberty. The old hen might be turned out with them for an 

 hour or so during the warm part of theday, only she must be 

 watched in order that she does not lead them into mischief. 

 About this time, too, their food should be changed; less soaked 

 food and more small grain be given instead — ^giits, boiled barley, 

 and other articles of diet before advised. 



