TYPES OF NESTS 



147 



(2) Nests should be so constructed that it is easy for the atten- 

 dant to see and remove any eggs in them. 



(3) They should be constructed large enough for the birds to sit on 

 the nest; 12 x 14 inches may be required for the large breeds and 8x 

 12 inches or 10 x 12 inches for the light breeds. If nests are too large, 

 eggs are broken by two or more hens crowding into them at once. 



(4) Nests should be movable, so that they canbe easily taken out 

 and thoroughly cleaned. The nesting material is the first place in the 

 house where mites and lice are usually found, and if they can be con- 

 trolled there, freedom from such enemies is more easily maintained. 



A B C 



After Rice and Rogers, Cornell Bulletin 274. 



FIG. 95. Four ways of locating nests, end boards are removed to show construction. 

 Eggs are taken out from the covered nests by raising the door, d. 



Number of Nests. There should be nests enough so that the 

 hens will not be compelled to crowd. Number is determined by 

 the size of the flock in the spring or during the heavy laying 

 season. A safe number is one nest to every three or four layers. 



Materials used. Wood smoothly planed is usually used in the 

 construction of the nests. White or yellow pine boards, tongued 

 and grooved, from four to ten inches wide, can be economically 

 used in building most any type of nest. Soap-boxes, nail-kegs, 

 lemon-crates, and egg-cases are often made over into good poultry 

 nests, but they are less sanitary than well-made nests. 



Types of Nests. There are a great number of types and designs 

 in nest construction, each having advantages and disadvantages. 

 Figure 95 shows some of these types. 



