98 VArTzsvsG. 



blackbirds, and are then considered all tlie greater deUcaey. 



If yonr chickens were hatched out in December, early in Teh- 

 mary yon can pnt them np to &t. Their coops or cages should 

 be placed in a warm dark sheltered place. There are a variety 

 of different coops or x>en8 recommended by different antborities 

 on poultry to fat chickens. I do not remember to have eeen one, 

 however, which is, to my mind so suited to the parpoae as this 

 fd which I give a descrix>tion. 



As far as the general con&rmation of the coop goe^ it is made 

 on tiie same plan as many others; but the adaptable shelf whidi 

 is its chief feature is entirely my own idea, and if adopted would, 

 I feel sure, give general satisfaction. 



The coop itself is made of boards, sides, back, and ends of 

 front; centre of front is barred, with the two middle bars mov- 

 able. It stands on legs between two and three feet in height, 

 the roof sloped snfScient to allow the rain to run easily ofL 

 To hold four chickens at the same time the coop should be 

 about five feet in length, four in breadth, and three in ieight — 

 that is, above the legs on which it stands. If the birds are kept 

 in sqiarate divisions then a little more length will have to be- 

 allowed for the partitions. This will give ample room for the 

 birds without uncomfortably cramping them. 



The bars in front of the coop should be wide enoogh apart to 

 allow the birds to get their heads through eamly to get at 

 their food, which should be given them on a shelf or board. 

 The shel^ when not in use, being fixed on hinges, would fold 

 down in firont of the coop. This is a much better plan than 

 having a trough for food fixed ontnde, as so many coops have, 

 the objection to it being that the food soon gets sonr — ^I mean 

 what is left after the birds have fed — sticking to the sides of the 

 trongji, which, if it is a box-like fixture, it is next to impossible 

 to clean jwopcrly. 



The shelf shonld have an upright lath nailed to it to prev^ 



