The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-17

connected with the home, said
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson a day or
two ago. Nowadays the pigeon flock is
not confined TO the youngster, but many
older persons are successfully raising
pieeons and SQUADS and making a good
living out of il, too In view of this fact
I have had the subject of SQUAD raising
looked into thoroughly and have obtained
some interesting information regarding
pigeon culture that will doubtless 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 choos-
ing the site of ones own home. An I'M
healthy location for man would most likely
prove unhealthy for the pigeon. A damp
place or one exposed TO extreme heat or
cold or wind is to be rejected. The spot
selected should be well. 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 an ideal site and will re-
ouire minimum amount of expense and
daily work in caring for the stock.
1.-The house is as important 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. In no case should a
house be built for more than $50 pairs Of
birds, nor more than fifty pairs be kept in
each section. 1t must be designed to be
easily and well ventilated and easy to keep
clean, secure from attacks of mice, rats
and other animals 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-light window. The south side
should have two six-light window sashes in
each section and the north side two six
light windows. All the windows should
slide so they can be opened any space de-
sired and should be covered on the outside
with wire netting TO prevent the escape OF
the birds Ventilation Is secured by closing
the doors or windows on the side the wind
is blowing and opening those on the oppo-
site side TO the extent which may be neces-
sary.
t<dCn DdIlllsoh DtlNttn the SttAloAS
should contain a window covered with net
ting, of same size s the gable windows
and corresponding with them. thus per-
hitting q circulation OF air through the
entire building. A projecting ventilator
should be built over the center Of the roof.
In moderate climates IL is not necessary
10 plaster the inside walls, but In cold
climate this should be done. All the inside
doors between the sections should be made
OF netting, and should have springs 10
make them close as one passes through.
Nesting places should be made so as 20
provide a nest for each pair OF birds with
two or three 10 spare. and should be made
of inch boards twelve inches wide, with
parallel cross cleats nailed on nine inches
apart and set upright twelve inches apart,
with the edges nailed against the partition
and securely fastened top and bottom.
These boards should be against the wall
and thus make nests twelve inches square
and nine inches high. The floor OF each