DOGS, CATS AND POULTRY 
653 
used for panels and at the bottom, against which the door 
'^alls. A string, 8, is added to open the door and liberate 
the hen. 
Fig. 97. Plan of Trap Nest— End View. The Figures Refer to the Same Parts 
as Those of Fig. 96. 
By breeding according to the information supplied by 
the trap nest, the egg production has been raised to upward 
of three hundred eggs from one hen in a year. 
4. How TO Secure Fertility in Eggs. 
A following out of the suggestions here given, in prin- 
ciple at least, is bound to bring success in securing fertile 
eggs. 
It is absolutely necessary to have the male and female 
of the proper sort. To be such they should possess the 
following characteristics. 
The male should be of medium size — in accordance with 
the class of fowl — strong, healthy, vigorous and active. He 
should be such as is attentive to all the females of his 
flock. It frequently happens that a cock bird takes a par- 
ticular fancy to certain females. This should be watched, 
and when found to be the case remedied by a change. Re- 
member that with age cock birds, as well as other males of 
the animal kingdom, become useless for breeding purposes. 
The female should also be of medium size and possess 
a strong, healthy physical make-up. Pullets a year old to 
two years of age are better than those younger or hens that 
are older, for egg production for breeding purposes. 
