Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-13
TRAP NESTS FINE DETECTIVES

Poultrymen who have never handled
! the individual men AS a unit, but Judge
the matter wholly by the records of
fiocks as whole, have frequently
claimed-and have found apparent rea-
son TO support the claim--that the
type of hen which lays we'll in winter
is not the type that lays well in sum-
mer: but trap-nest records of fiocks
that have been competently handled
for eggs all through the year do not
support that theory. The hen that
does not lay freely and proftably in
summer when properly handled, does
not. as rule, show up on the trap
nest records as having laid remarkably
well, either the previous or following
winter. There are exceptions. of course.
but they are relatively few. 1t is
most excellent idea 10 keep the stock
carefully culled of drones and mod
crate layers all the time. summer and
winter. 1t is the persistent layer
| that pays the year round profit in mar
ket eggs and she is the true laying
type" that trap-ncstcrs count upon to
pcrpetuate the prolific laying habit in
their stock.
Summer has its own peculiar condi-
tons that antagoniZe cgS production
and the profits are shrunken unless the
adverse conditions are overcome The
strictly fresh egg" is always in de-
mand. but eggs which are allowed 10
remain in hot nest. covered by sun
dry hens that visit the nest through
out the day. lose considerable of their
first freshness by night: whether the
eggs are TO be incubated. marketed
soon. or held i'll storage for future
marketing, their quality has been low
cred. Trap-nesterS remove the eggs
from the nests from three to five times
during the day; as Il rule the trap nest
is IN individual nest. and the layers
are not able to crowd two. three or
mole at once upon a nest of eggs over
heating eggs and hens. both. as is
frequently the case where the ordinary
box nest is used,
Then. again. trap-nesters have found
by experience that summer troubles
with broody hens are Erately lessened
by judiciouSly handling the traps The
frequent handling of the layers and
prompt removal from the nest seems
20 diminish their hrooding inclinations,
and 'hey are more easily broken up"
when they do become hroo6y Many
persistent layers in the incubating
breeds do not become broody a, all
when using the trap nests. but con-
tinue 10 lay right through the summer.
Egg eating is vice practically un-
known where these nests are used"
- the report OF many who have had
long experience with good trap nests
u IS an interesting fact that quite a
numbs OF ,he most successful trap
a-s;=rs installed and began TO use trap
nests during the summer months. Ey
AL HAY had become quite familiar
7-ith their use. and were in 4 position
20 exercise good judgment in trap
nesting and cul!!ns the pullets. and tho
y=2rLinS mems through the melting
p=-tod l. VIII be found that the great
ayers are r-!nsrEab.. for a tendency
:" r1o!t without apparent loss OF vigor.
and the: @ill continue TO lay during
considerable portion. or the whole.
o! that period.
II certainly is an excellent plan 10
get the trap nests installed during the
simmer months, become familiar with
handling them without loss of time,