1906.] 



Poultry-yard Fittings. 



275 



Space, and in this case it is advisable to place a few nesting 

 boxes in the runs. Hens have a natural inclination to lay out 

 of doors when the weather is favourable, and it will be found 

 that they prefer outside to inside nests. A convenient plan for 

 outside nests is to procure some half-barrels, barrels of any 

 size sawn in halves, and to put them side by side near a wall in 

 a secluded place. These can then be covered by a shelter made 

 of corrugated iron sheets or of boards, set on a light frame, so 

 that the hens have room to reach the nests and to leave them 

 at will. A few outdoor nests of this kind will accommodate a 

 large flock of hens if the barrels are of fair size, for several hens 

 will make use of one nest. 



Fig. 2. — Nest Boxes, Facing Wall, Entrance at Ends. 



The number of nests required to accommodate a flock of 

 laying hens depends very much on the birds, but as a rule 

 three or four commodious nest boxes will suffice for a dozen 

 hens, but this number may not be enough if the hens are 

 quarrelsome, or if they frequently become broody, or if each 

 hen is accustomed to spend a long time in the nest. Some hens 

 which are never broody spend but a short time in the nest, and 

 will not fight and break the eggs if another hen intrudes on 

 them before they leave. Hens of this kind require fewer nests. 



It is generally considered advisable that the nests should be 

 arranged in a dark and secluded place, because hens are 

 naturally inclined to hide their nests, End are more likely to 

 deposit their eggs in such a place than in a more exposed 



Z 2 



