CHAPTER III. 



The best style of nest to use. One or two compartments; which? The 

 two-compartment Ideal. The care of the nests. Collecting eggs. Record 

 Keeping. Using the nests open. Separating the layers from the non-layers. 

 Brief Pointers. 



THE BEST STYLE OF NEST TO USE. 



IN THE majority of cases the style shown in figure 5 of the plan- 

 sheet — the one with the hinged front — will be the most satisfac- 

 tory. This style is to be used facing the attendant and the light. It 

 can be used under the droppings-boards, on a shelf, on an unlittered 

 floor, or, by nailing aboard on the bottom, projecting 8 inches in front, 

 it may be hung on the wall. This hinged-front style is the one pre- 

 ferred by Mr. M. K. Boyer, and it was largely due to his criticisms of the 

 other styles that I was led to make a most thorough test of this one 

 that justifies me in recommending it us the best in most cases. Very 

 nervous hens will not be as contented in them as they will in a box 

 facing the wall and having a solid back, but careful handling will soon 

 tame such birds sufficiently. 



The styles shown by figures 2, '.) and f> are best adapted for use on a 

 littered floor, facing the wall and about one foot from it. The litter 

 will not interfere with the operation of the trap. The style shown in 

 figure 2 is the most economical to prepare as no hinges are needed, but 

 it is more difficult to handle the hen, and, if nervous, she is likely to 

 get away from the attendant. The style shown by tig. 3 has the 

 advantage that the rear door being hinged at the bottom drops down 

 and deep litter in the pen will not interfere with its being opened. 



The style shown in tig. (3 is the best one of these three styles. It 

 will not lie much trouble to clear away what litter may pile up against 

 the back and when the door is opened the hen is nut so likely to leap 

 upward toward Ihe light that, with Hie drop-down door, is first ad- 

 mitted from the lop when the door is being opened. 



Having described these several styles and given my opinion of their 

 comparative merits, thai may or may not agree with others, I recom- 

 mend that, after reading the directions regarding the location of the 

 nests in the pen, the style or styles of nests that are desired lie selected 

 and enough boxes be obtained to lit up at least one pen completely. 

 Prepare, all of these boxes for the application of the attachments. 

 Then make, or have made, enough attachments to lit up allot the boxes. 

 Then bang and adjust the attachments, following the directions 



