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 10x12 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. Thenesting 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 enemics is more easily maintained. 
After Rice and Rogers, Cornell Bulletin 274. 
Fie. 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. 
