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 pio- 
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 
B. 
Fia, 98.—Pearl or Maine State trap nest, 
sideremoved. A,open;B,sprungorshut. 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, formcrly 
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.) 
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. 
