OCR Text |
Show CARING FOR EGGS PROPERLY Ample Number of Nests With Good Supply of Nesting Material Should Be Aim of Poultryman. Poultry keepers may easily reduce the number of dirty or soiled eggs and losses that result. First, an ample number of ness is, of course, necessary, neces-sary, but an ample number means no more than, and probably not as much as, are usually directed by poultry writers. Laying houses are, as a rule, provided with enough nests, but where the keeper falls down is in failing to supply enough nesting material aDd floor litter. Obviously, the nesting material must be clean, or the eggs become soiled by contact, and it must be sufficient in quantity, or the eggs are often broken by dropping upon the floor of the nest. In bouses where the dropping boards are above the nests, and the custom is to sand the boards, small stones often drop into the nest and breakage results re-sults when newly laid e.gs fall upon them. The condition of nests should be noticed daily, and the nesting material ma-terial replenished when necessary. An ample and clpan litter on the , floor is also very essential whn an A-l clean product is sought. Pa-tlcu-Iarly is this true when the hens arc allowed outdoors during wet weather. The litter acts as a foot mat for the hens on their way to the nests. |