Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-08-31
BY JOHN A. PORTER.
igeon Expert of Porterdale, Ga.)


I am a utility pigeon breeder and
have found the business not only prof
liable. but extremely interesting
The average person is disposed to
smile when you state to him you are
breeding pigeons as a business propo-
sition, but a careful investigation into
the matter will convince him that as
compared with poultry, pigeon breeding
not only requires very much less CAPT
tai and labor, but If properly handled
is more remunerative l am speaking
from the standpoint of utility pigeon
breeding
One has only to look over The Ma
tional SQUAD Magazine or any of the
other utility pigeon publications to
convince himself of the immense
growth of the squad industry,
SQUAD Replace Game.
The large increase in the consump-
tion of squads is due in a great meas
ure to the scarcity of game and the
stringent laws prohibiting the sale of
same in the hotels and cafes.
Five or six years ago scarcely any of
the hotels in the South offered squads
on their menu, but today they not only
occupy prominent places thereon, but
are more frequently given special men
ton.
The people in the North awoke a long
time ago to the fact that there was not
a more delicious and appetizng morsel
than a well prepared squad.
af bo
| highest priced dishes offered on the
menu cards of the best cafes in New
York and other Northern cities.
Breeders First Steps.
Before going into SQUAD farming one
should familiarize himself with the diff
ferent breeds of pigeons as much as
possible, and settle definitely just what
breed is best adapted to his require
ments After he has done this, the
next thing to do is to procure plans for
his plant from some one of the sue
cessful pigeon breeders, as his success
will depend as much on any one thing
as on the proper construction of his
lofts
Here in the South where insect pests
! are more numerous than they are in
the North, it is necessary that the
! houses be we'll ventilated, but that they
be kept flee from draughts. The nest
boxes should be made of ample size
with sliding bottoms. so that cleaning
can be done quickly and effectually.
! As a general rule not over so pairs of
breeders should be confined in one pen,
and it must he seen to that they have a
plentiful supply of clean drinking water
at an times. 1t is also necessary to
| furnish them with a basin in which
they can battle at least twice a week.
Pigeons Seldom Sick.
If the lofts are properly cleaned and
ventilated at regular intervals it will
be found that pigeons are free from
practically all diseases, provided clean,
sound grain is fed. The diet should
consist of wheat. cracked corn. kajio
corn, Canada peas and other grains and
seeds-the greater the variety the bet
ter.
For nesting material tobacco stems
are good, but nothing can equal red
cedar shavings if you are where they
can be procured.
The writer usually takes an old tele-
graph pole and runs it through a plan
ing machine until ii is reduced to shay
ings. They certainly have tendency
to keep off lice and mites.
About the Best Breeds.
A word as to the different utility
pigeons to breed, and l will close. Some
of the best breeds are as follows:
Homeos., Carneaux, Maltese Hen. Swiss
Mountain Mondaine and White Kings
There are probably more Homeos in
use than any other one breed. THIS
the writer believes. is due to the fact
that they have been bred very much
i longer in this country. and as "a rule
are very much cheaper.
Personally, the writer prefers either