24 THE TRAP NEST TEXT HOOK 



back far enough to leave sufficient margin for the hens to move freely 

 in front of the nests. 



Such an arrangement, in its general conception, economizes space in 

 the greatest degree. No floor space, or indeed any space that would be 

 needed for anything else, need be used. It is more agreeable as well 

 as more convenient for the attendant to attend to the nests than would 

 be the case if they were situated under the roost-platform where he or 

 she must stoop when removing the hen and egg often approximating 

 certain disagreeable and unsavory accessories. The hens like such an 

 arrangement, apparently, as well as the attendant. 



If there is a single objection to this nest-plan a three years test has 

 not revealed its importance to me. There are some theories opposed to 

 it and they are in a measure correct theories. I carefully nursed them 

 for awhile, but when you find a theory, however good it may be, that 

 can, with propriety, be improved in the interest of convenience it is well 

 to change it even if you have to make a change of front at the same 

 time. My general description will admit of various modifications to 

 suit different houses and flocks. 



Platforms for the trap nests may be hung from the rafters with fur- 

 ring or supported from below. They may be of any height preferred, 

 from one to four feet above the ground ; or two platforms may be used 

 one above another. If one platform is 20 inches above the ground and 

 another 20 inches above that, three rows of nests may be used, one row 

 on the ground and two more above. Thus two platforms, each S feet 

 long, would accomodate fourteen nests and seven more on the ground 

 would give twenty-one nests, enough for from forty to sixty hens, 

 without sacrificing but little floor space. The space beneath tins 

 lower platform, rf open at the ends, will be cooler in summer than 

 that beneath roosting platforms as usually situated. 



A very good point to remember when arranging nests on a scratching 

 floor, or water pails, grit boxes etc. that are near the floor, is that hens 

 scratch away from the light. The litter will be thrown toward the 

 back of the pen. If Ideal nests, made after the styles shown in figures 

 2, 3 or 6 are used on (he scratching floor, back to the light and near the 

 wall, the litter will not be likely to interfere with the trap. 



EGGS LAID OUTSIDE THE NESTS. 



When eggs are laid outside flic nests there must be a reason for it. 

 There may be an insufficient number of nests, or some of them may be 

 too light, or too dark, or improperly located in the pen; they mav be 

 infested with vermin, or some of the hens are too fat. Whatever the 

 cause may be it should be searched out and remedied as far as possible 



If boxes are so situated or constructed that they are so dark that the 



