Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1922-05-18
Nests Eliminate
Poultry Flock Boarders

The most preposseSsing hen is not
always the most industrious layer.
She may be the loudest cackler, but if
her owner uses trap nests she can
not fool him. He can check up on
results. The trap nest is so arranged
that when the hen enters she is con-
fined until released by the attendant.
Specialists of the department of agri-
culture say that the trap nest may be
used to advantage by the best breed
ers Of hens. II adds mechanical pre-
cision to judgment and experience in
Observation-Disclosures and maintaining
it at a high standard of egg produc-
ton. 1t tames the birds and tends to
stimulate laying. 1t furnishes defin-
ite knowledge of the traits and habits
of each hen. 1t furnishes the most
satisfactory basis for breeding, and
eliminates the non-productive hen.
In flocks of so or more, a three
compartment trap nest should be pro-
vided for every 10 hens. In smaller
flocks a slightly larger proportion of
nests is needed. Numbered bands are
placed on the legs of the hens and d
record is kept of their egg production
Frequent visits to the nests are nee
essary, especially when the hens are
laying freely and during warm
weather. There should eve be Tess
than three visits a day, and four or
five would be better.
The trap nest may be placed or the
walls of the pen or attached to the
underside of the dropping board. If
the latter course is taken, the front of
the nest should face the pen. The
may be made of wire to allow
good ventilation. The dropping board
will serve as a top. If the nest is
placed on the walls, Stats or wire at
a sharp angle should extend from the
of the nest to the wall to pre-
vent the hens from roosting on the
The trap nest is SO constructed that
when the hen enters, her back raises
the @ThisEreleas the catcher
and allows the door to close.
The catch regulated by a nail or
screw at the lower inside edge, should
set so that it just holds the door.
II should have a washer on the screw
20 prevent it sticking, and a board to
xeep away the nesting material. A
variation may be made for large or
small hens by shortening or lengthen-
ng the catch which supports the door
)r by adjusting the size of the tri-
notch in the door itself.
The following directions are given
" the departments poultry special
SITS for constructing a three-compart-
nent trap nest.
Cut four Is inch boards for ends
md partitions, IL inches wide by 10
inches long; enough Y inch boards
i9M inches long, laid le~ngthwise, to {
over the top, back and bottom; and |
ne strip 39M inches long and Ia I
inches wide, for the front of the nests. !
,ut three pieces of " inch board, IL |
inches long and 3 inches high, TO hold {
he nesting material away from the $
cor. !
Nail the top. back and bottom to the I
nds and partitions insert the 3-inch 2
trips in the nests, and make the $
uard mailing it to the left side of the
est. Bore a hole in the catch large u
nough that the catch will move freely $
hen screwed into position on the q
Ide. Place a washer an the screw be- n
ween the catch and the side of the a
est. Insert a screw at the lower edge e
{ the catch to stop it when set, SO z
lat the catch win just hold the door. .
Make the doors of the M-inch ma n
rial. IL inches by 6 inches, and cut y
triangular notch in the center, 4 {,
lches wide at the bottom. Put two u
rev yes in the top of the doors and
)re holes in the front of the nests, 2
ches below the top INSIDE measure
Ient) through which a $40 inch L
ire is to support the doors-
Attach to the front of the nests a
arrow strip upon which the hens can
mp. Place a button or a block of ii
God on the front of each partition to c.
I'D the door when the nest is closed. II
If the nests are to be placed di- Sc
city below the dropping board, a IL
ire top should be used with a g. 81
oh strip of wood on the fronf advp of n,