Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-16
HOW TO KEEP PIGEONS
SQUAD RAISING A SOURCE OF
GREAT PROFIT.
Agricultural Department Tells How
Birds Should Be Kept and Cared
for to Get Results.


rotary of Agriculture Wilson to a Star
reporter day or two ago. Nowadays
the pigeon flock Is not confined to the
youngster. but many older persons are
successfully raising pigeons and squads and
making a good living out Of 1t. too. In
view Of this fact have had the subject OF
SQUAD raising looked into thoroughly and
have obtained some interesting information
regarding pigeon culture that will doubt
less prove of great value. To start at the
beginning, we have found that in selecting
a site for the home of the pigeons as much
care and Judgment should be exercised as
in choosing the site of ones own home
An unhealthy loca ton for man would most
likely prove unhealthy for the pigeon.
damp place or one exposed to extreme heat
or cold or wind Is to be rejected. The spot
selected should be we'll drained. should be
facing south or east, should be free from
instructions which would shut out the rays
of the morning sun and should be sheltered
either by trees or buildings from the north
and west winds.
Such a place. with small stream of
running water for drinking and bathing
an essential to the health OF the pigeons
will be ideal site and will require
minimum amount Of expense and daily
work in caring for the stock.
The house is important as the site.
Some successful breeders prefer single
houses holding not more than fifty pairs
of birds, but several single houses will cost
considerably more to build than one house
in several sections holding fifty pairs of
birds each and giving the same capacity as
the single houses.
Capacity Of House.
"In no case should a house DO built FOR
more than 30 pairs of birds. nor more than
fifty pairs he kept in each section IT
must be designed to be easily and well
ventilated and easy to keep clean. secure
from attacks of mice, rats and other ami
mails and not subject to draughts of air
Light and ventilation should be provided
for in the following manner: Each gable
near the peak should have a four-fght
window The south side should have two
sx-light window sashes in each section
and the north side two six-nght WINDOWS
All the windows should slide. 80 they can
be opened any space desired. and should
be covered on the outside with wire net
ting to prevent the escape of the birds,
Ventilation Is secured by closing the doors
or windows on the side the wind ia blowing
and opening those on the opposite side to
the extent which may be necessary
Each partition between the sections
should contain a window covered with
nettingD of the same size as the gable WIN
dow and corresponding with them. thus
permitting a circulation of air through the
entire building. A projecting ventilator
should be built over the center of the roof
In moderate climates 1t IS not necessary
to plaster the inside walls. out In cold
climate this should be done. All the in
side doors between the sections should be
made Of netting and should have springs
to make them close as one passes through.
Nesting places should be made so as to
provide a nest for each pair Of birds with
two or three to spare. and should be made
Of inch board twelve inches wide. with
parallel cross cleats nailed on nine in hes
apart and set upright twelve inches apart
with the edges nailed against the parti-
ton and securely fastened top and bottom
These boards should be against the wall
and thus made nests twelve inches square
and nine inches high. The floor Of each
box can be removed easily for cleaning.
Nests should not be placed directly on the
floor II possible to avoid 1t. No provision
should be made for Derches within the
house.
Provision for Exercise.
"The house completed provision for the
proper exercise of the birds is the next
considera ton. This is secured by erecting
a wire netting cage or fly connecting with
each of the sections in the house by means
OF small opening The ground should be
as level as possible and the cage should
give ample room for flying easily. The birds
are allowed to pass from the house to the
fly by means Of a small door in each sec
ton of the house to the corresponding sec
ton in the fly. Slides should cover these
doors SO they can be operated easily when
combining the birds either to the house or to
the fly.
ITO beginners who desire to start with
twenty five pairs or less temporary struct-
ures can be imprOvised.
THE best variety of pigeon for SQUAD
raising is the straight homer They are
large and healthy and good workers. They
are good feeders and are of quiet DISPOSE
ton when properly mated and their eggs
are seldom infertile: The dragon is con-
sidered an excellent bird by some breeders.
but most of them give first place to the
homer cross between the two generally
gives good results, and this Is oftentimes
done because some breeders think the
straight homer costs too much. In select
ing stock. however. the beginner should
consult an experienced breeder. very
important detail in SQUAD raising Is the
proper mating of the birds. Care must be
ia Ell not TO inbred. Under no circumstances
should nest mates be allowed to breed. If
they should mate they should be separated
until a new mate Is chosen by each Nest
mates can be told If they are properly
marked when SQUADS. When desiring to
Increase the stock 1t is always best to get
a few pairs Of mated birds from some other
breeder.
Must Be Properly Fed.
Though the houses may be well con-
structed and the birds we'll selected no sue
cess will be had unless the birds are prop
erly fed and cared for. While IT is true that
some breeders have had some success for
a while In feeding cracked corn and wheat
long continued feeding in those two staples
alone have been shown to have an i'll eff
feet In their free state pigeons can select
a variety of foods, and this should be
membered when they are in confinement.
Regularity in the time of feeding should be
strictly observed and a generous supply of
fresh clean water should always be at hand
for drinking purposes
Now to summarize 1t will pay to have
q good house. thoroughly clean and white
washed on the inside. with plenty of good
clean food regularly. plenty of fresh clean
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