POULTRY KEEPING AND BEEKEEPING 217 



As the chickens are maturing, the most active and vigorous 

 and the largest may be selected as those which will probably 

 be the most productive. Another method is the use of the 

 trap nest. This is a nest so constructed that as a hen enters 

 a nest, she is shut in and kept there until released. By 

 putting numbered leg bands on each pullet, the number of 

 eggs which each lays in a certain time may be determined, 

 and so the best layers may be selected. These nests, how- 

 ever, require close attention and must be visited several 

 times a day to release the hens and keep an account of the 

 eggs laid; but they are the only means of determining the 

 exact number of eggs laid. Even if they are used for 



FIG. 77. Front view of henhouse. 



only a few weeks at a time during various seasons of the 

 year, they may be a great aid in the selection of the best 

 layers. 



Hatching the eggs. The question of whether the eggs 

 shall be hatched by hen or incubator depends largely on 

 the number of chickens to be raised. Small numbers can 

 be raised very satisfactorily by using hens; large numbers 

 require an incubator. While this and the brooder that is 

 required after the eggs are hatched are rather expensive, 

 there is the advantage that they can be used at any time 

 and large numbers of chickens can be raised. 



Poultry house. Many types of poultry houses are in 

 use. The essential points are that they shall be so arranged 

 as to keep dry, receive sunshine, and be well ventilated. 



