ADVANTAGES OF TRAP NESTS 



149 



They are used on many of the large poultry plants where special 

 breeding pens are kept, and then only during the winter and early 

 spring months. Breeders of fancy poultry find much benefit from 

 their use, as they are able 

 to study the qualities trans- 

 mitted by each individual. It 

 is possible to make matings 

 with a greater degree of cer- 

 tainty as to the results which 

 will be obtained. Increased 

 profits come largely through 

 the keeping of better birds; 

 this means the selection and 

 breeding from the best. This 

 requires the use of trap nests 

 in all special breeding flocks. 



If trap nests are used, they 

 must be attended to regularly 

 and the birds let out at fre- 

 quent intervals. A complete 

 round should be made at least 

 every hour, starting at nine 

 o'clock in the morning, until 

 the laying is over for the day. 

 If this is not done, the vital- 

 ity and usefulness of the 

 birds confined is greatly 

 impaired, and their pro- 

 duction is sure to decrease. 

 Much labor is thus re- 

 quired, but trained persons 

 are not necessary. 



Designs of Trap Nests. 

 In the great variety of 

 trap nests used a common 

 principle is employed to 

 catch the layer. As the 

 hen enters the nest the door is automatically closed behind her, 

 either by her own body weight, as is the case with the Cornell and 

 Pearl nest, or by the release of a trigger as in the Connecticut nest. 

 With most trap nests the hen is forcefully confined until released. 



B. 



Fio. 98. Pearl or Maine State trap nest, 

 side removed. A, open ; B, sprung or shut. The 

 weight of the hen on the hinged bottom keeps 

 the door closed. (Photo by Raymond Pearl.) 



This type of trap was designed by F. H. Stoneburn, formerly 

 of Connecticut Agricultural College. 



FIG. 99. Improved Connecticut trap nest. 

 Centre nest open; the hen on entering raises the 

 door and allows the trigger to fall; this locks the 

 door shut until the attendant comes. (Tops re- 

 moved for photographing.) 



