2 LEAFLET 9 6, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



small for enemies to enter. The run may have board sides or may be 

 built on a light frame ; it should have no bottom, so that the chicks 

 can graze and gather insects. When this enclosure is shifted to 

 new turf frequently, sanitation is adequate and growth is pro- 

 moted. Protective measures require only slight and inexpensive 



Figure 1. — Movable coops and runs. 



departures from the usual free-range system used on farms and 

 will prevent many of the losses caused by predatory enemies. 



Use of brooding and rearing houses is another important step in 

 preventing losses through predators. These houses may be built with 

 adjoining wire-covered yards (fig. 2), or small ones may be on run- 



Figuke 2. — Poultry house with enclosed runs. 



ners and the yards may be of portable construction, so that the whole 

 equipment can be moved to fresh ground. Portable fencing is sup- 

 ported on light poles put in the ground in holes made with a crow- 

 bar. The lower course of the fence may have a single furrow turned 

 over its base, and the courses of the sides and top of the yard can 



