Movable Coops.

I recommend these very strongly to the farmer, as useful to shut up birds in for breeding, to keep purebred bens in to test their laying, and to rear chickens in. It keeps chickens healthy, and safe from every enemy except the thief.

It is simply a low-sided box without a bottom, the top being wired over (the bottom also, if chickens are put in it), and is intended to be placed on grass, and moved to fresh ground every day. At one end is a shelter. Under this a low roost if for grown birds, and a settle if for hen and chickens. The sides should be 20in. high, and the wire mesh too small to let a rat through. Boxes with lids are placed outside, open towards inside of coop, for the water-vessel, and for grit. The birds must have an opportunity to dust themselves now and than, and must be examined for lice regularly.

Light active birds thrive best in such a coop, the heavier breeds often getting too fat.

The size for ten fowls could be 5ft. by 8ft., but more space would be an advantage.