The Scratch Shed - "The latest idea in poultry houses is to provide an open shed attached to the roosting room, in order that the fowl may have a place for exercise in the open air during the winter months. If the floor is kept covered with several inches of straw, chaff, leaves, or other light dry material, the whole grain is scattered in this, the fowl will get abundant exercise in scratching for their feed. This keeps them warm as well as busy and they are healthier for it, lay more eggs, and are more fertile."(Barn Plans and Outbuildings, 1881) The scratch shed was in essence the chicken's gym, void of treadmills, cycles, and barbells. The front of the shed was closed off in severe weather. The scratch shed has been converted to a vehicle storage shed over the years. The original structure had a series of windows on the front side.