54 THE TRAP NEST TEXT liltoK 



conditions, the sitting hen will always be in some demand and her 

 treatment will continue to be an important consideration. The natural 

 sequence of the several stages of the reproductive instinct or passion may 

 be described thus : First, the passing' down of ihe eggs from the ovaries ; 

 second, the mating; third, the production of a "litter" of eggs by the 

 female-; fourth, incubating the eggs; fifth, brooding the chicks until they 

 are able to care for themselves. - In their wild slate birds possess this 

 instinct in its most complete development. Under domestication the 

 reproductive trait has been modified and changed to meet our demands 

 for a greater number of eggs than the natural exercise of the normal 

 reproductive function would give us. 



The profitable domestic hen is, in a degree, an artificial product. The 

 unprofitable domestic, hen — and her name is leg'ion — is either the result 

 of degeneration, caused by unsuitable feeding and care and haphazard 

 breeding, or a reversion to ancestral types. 



Not only has selection and breeding from superior specimens (often 

 without design) practically eliminated the incubating trait in many hens, 

 but keeping them under conditions where they are frequently disturbed 

 by their mates and the attendant, compelled to exercise, and their eggs 

 not allowed to accumulate in the nests, tends to overcome the inclination 

 to sit. and keep them laying. 



The desire to accumulate a nestful of eggs is one of biddie's strongest 

 ambitions. If the eggs are removed as fast as laid, the bird is deceived 

 and continues to lay egg number one — as she figures it — for a period 

 that may be long or short according to the individual tendency or capac- 

 ity of the bird and the good judgment and skill of the feeder and 

 caretaker. 



If the eggs are allowed to remain in the nest this desire to accumulate 

 is soon gratified, and, other conditions being favorable, unless the incu- 

 bating tendency is dormant, the bird will spend more and more time 

 upon the nest until egg production ceases and broodiness is confirmed. 



If sitting hens arc desired out of their natural season, the Hock should 

 be fed generously on corn and other heat-producing food to induce a 

 feeling of general well-being and the layers allowed to remain on (he 

 nests, undisturbed, as long as they desire. If trap nests are used the 

 hens should not be removed unless they want to get out. Their eggs 

 can be marked with the birds" numbers, and the date, and returned to 

 them. On no account should Ihe attempt he made to force them to sit. 

 by artificial restraint, until broodiness is partially developed. If open 

 nests are used, they should be well supplied wilh nest eggs covered with 

 cloth to prevent chilling the birds. When a hen lias voluntarily remained 

 upon the nest over night she should lie removed, preferably at niifht, to 

 a place especially provided for (he sillers, whether she has stopped 

 laying or not. Here peace and quiet, plenty of whole corn, grit and 



