34 
THE POULTRY BOOK. 
small run with laths, wire-work, or net may be had recourse to. These wire-runs 
may be easily made so as to be movable, and the hens prevented flying over by 
stripping the ten flight- feathers of one wing, which will be found far more effective 
than cutting those of both wings. These small runs may advantageously be fur- 
nished with a common boarded coop, for shelter against sudden storms and rain. 
The remark is often made, that chickens reared in the country by cottagers are 
more vigorous and healthy than those bred in the most expensive poultry houses ; 
this is entirely owing to the more natural circumstances under which they are 
brought up. Fresh air, fresh grass, and fresh ground for the hens to scratch in, 
far more than counterbalance the advantage of expensive diet and superior 
lodging, if these latter are unaccompanied with the more necessary circumstances 
just described.' 
At the same time, when very early chicks are required artificial aids must 
necessarily be had recourse to. The hens in winter or early spring require 
housing ; a dry sanded floor in a sheltered out-house, or, still better, a corner of 
the poultry- woman’s kitchen, are conditions which must be had recourse to if early 
chickens are required for exhibition at the summer or autumn chicken shows, or 
for an early supply of table-fowl. 
