The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-11-27


Poultry men have turned topsy-
turvey the old adage about the bird
in the gllded cage, as they use the
gilded cage. In the guise of a modern
trap nest, as a modern bookkeeper to
facilitate keeping records Of egg pro-
duction. These records identify the
strikers from the workers In the flock,
as well as protect against the loss Of
valuable eggs produced In catch-as-
catch-can nests.
A trap nest Is laying nest SO ar
ranged that after hen enters 1t she
is confined until released by the at
tendant. The use Of trap nests is es-
sential in breeding poultry for both
egg production and exhibition where
pedigree records are used In select
Ing either females or males, and has
a place In mass selection for increas-
ing egg production. Trap nests are of
value in wedding out poor layers and
increasing the average egg yield of the
flock, but are not generally used on
account of the large amount of labor
required to operate them. They merit
q place on breeding farms where they
can be used In selecting the chaff from
the wheat In the line Of egg produc-
ton and superior individuals. Some
poultry breeders trap nest their pull
let's during their first six months of
laying and use this as basis in select
Ing their breeders for egg production.
One Nest for Four Hens.
One trap nest should be provided
for each four hens kept In flocks of
80 or more, while more trap nests are
necessary In smaller fiocks. The hens
are marked with numbered bands and
a record is kept Of their egg produc-
tion. The nests should be visited at
least four times daily and preferably
much more often, frequent trips be-
ing especially necessary when the
hens are laying freely and during hot
weather. This trap nest may be at
tached to the underside of the drop
ping board with the front facing the
pen and arranged so that 1t can easily
be removed. or 1t may be placed on
the walls Of the pen. If the nest is
placed under the dropping board, the
latter will serve as a top for the nest
and the rear of The nest may be of
wire to allow good ventilation In warm
weather. If the nest is placed on the
wall, Stats or wire should be inserted
from the front of the nest to the wall
at sharp angle to prevent the hens
from roosting on the nest.
Close az You Enter Doors.
When the hen enters this nest she
raises the door with her back which
releases the catch or trigger and al
lows the door to shut. The catch
should be set so that its edge Just
holds the door, which position is regu-
lated by screw or nail at the lower
inside edge Of the catch. Washers
should be placed on the screw on both
sides Of the catch or trigger to pre-
vent 1t from sticking. The guard
around the catch keeps the nesting
away from the catch. The
length Of the catch which supports the
door and the triangular notch In the
door may be varied slightly for very
small or very large hens, IL this is
found necessary.
In constructing three-compartment
trap nests cut four seven-eighths-inch
boards for ends and partitions, II
Inches wide by 1871 inches long, as
well as three one-half-inch boards
39h inches long. laid lengthwise, to
cover the top. back. and bottom, and
two strips 1914 inches long and 11s
inches wide for the front of the nest
and for the front extended rail. Cut
three pieces of one-half-inch boards
II inches long and inches high
to insert In the nest to hold the nest
Ing material away from the door. The
total quantity Of material needed will
be one seven-eighths-inch board II
inches wide by Sh feet long for the
ends. partitions. and front of the nest,
and two one-half-inch boards 10
inches wide ana 10 feet long for the
top, back, bottom, and front rail Of
the nest. II wire is used on top of
the nest, an equal number of square
feet of one-half-inch lumber can be
subtracted from the amount stated. |
Nail the top, back. and bottom to the
ends and partitions, insert the three
Inch strips In the nests, and make the
guard, mailing 1t to the left side of
the nest. Bore hole In the catch
large enough so that It will move
freely when screwed into position on
the side, and use a washer on both
sides Of the catch.
Completing the Nest.
This catch should be made Of hard
wood SO that It will not wear readily
around the screw which holds Il In
place. The catch is made Of material |
,ne-half inch thick and Is IN inches |
vide at the upper end and inch
vide at the lower end. Place screw
It the lower edge Of the catch to stop |