They should be placed in an open ended basket on the floor and fed and watered there. It is quite probable that this basket will constitute their home for the first seven to ten days they are in the young bird loft. This procedure removes all fear of baskets from their mind and they will always regard a training basket as their second home. The second step is the training of the youngster to trap. It is essential that pigeons trap immediately upon return from any flight, in order that messages carried by them can be delivered with the least possible delay to the officer in charge of the operations room.
Successful trapping requires the services of two pigeoneers.
The young are taken from the nest when 1, weeks old and placed in a compartment by themselves. They are then old enough to care for themselves, but not yet strong enough to fly. Place them on the lighting board or trap. Have the assistant shake the can rattle inside the loft. The youngster, which has been kept hungry, hears the can rattle, knows by this time it means food and will pass through the trap or dormer to receive food.