KIND OF HOUSE TO BUILD 199 



trapnest are simplicity, cheapness, and accuracy in opera- 

 tion. The Oregon Station trapnest has been in use 12 

 years (Utah Station Bulletin 92 and Oregon Station Cir- 

 cular 4). As the hen enters this nest her weight closes the 

 door, making it impossible for her to get out or another 

 hen to enter. The opening in the nest is made just large 

 enough for one hen at a time to enter. 



It is necessary to visit the nests several times during the 

 day to release the hens, and there should be enough nests 

 so that there will always be some vacant, otherwise eggs are 

 liable to be laid on the floor. For a flock of fifty hens, 10 

 or 12 nests will be sufficient if they are visited often enough. 



The nests may be built singly or in groups. They may 

 be set in the wall of the house, or inside the wall. They 

 may also be made and set up outside, separate from the 

 house. It is sometimes an advantage to release the hens 

 from the top instead of through the door. This can be 

 done where there is only one tier of nests. Occasionally a 

 hen is slow in coming to the door to be let out, and by pull- 

 ing the nest out or raising the cover, the operation of releas- 

 ing the hens may be more quickly performed. With the 

 small, active breeds there is not much trouble on this score. 

 They come quickly to the door. The heavier breeds, like 

 the Plymouth Rock, usually take their time in coming out, 

 and sometimes have to be pulled out. Where they can be 

 reached from the top this trouble is overcome. 



The dimensions given are for small fowls and medium- 

 sized fowls up to about six pounds. It will be necessary to 

 add an inch or two to the dimensions for the large breeds 

 and increase the size or width of opening for the door. 



How to Make It. The Oregon trapnest can be made 

 by any one who can use a saw and drive a nail. It can be 

 cut out of a 12-inch board, 10 feet long. The material con- 

 sists of: one board 1 x 12 inches x 10 feet; six screw eyes, 



