Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1912-06-21
aovs CAN RAISE PIGEONS.

Rows az a rule, everywhere, like to
own and work with animals OF some
lind Perhaps there are no animals
hoy, like SO we'll as pigeons, and the
average interested farm boy will make
. success with this class of birds If
ha ia given material for good equip.
ment, The boy, shown in the accom-.
nanying picture, has made a success
With pigeons, growing them for sale
AZ breeding stock and the squads for
market purposes. =.
In keeping and raising pigeons not
or,v must a suitable house be built
Int an inclosed shed or flying pen
a. we'll. Pigeons cannot be success
m,,v kept on the farm. or any place.
unless they are confined. All of them
will wander and stray away more or
less, and some, like the homers, will
Immediately fly back to their place
Of birth when removed unless they are
confined.
In building the pigeon house, it's size
will be determined by the number of
birds to be kept. A house eight feet
wide, ten feet long and about six feet
to the caves will be suitable for the
average farm boy, who. does not ,ex-
meet to 20 into the business extensive
". Such q house may be divided into
two rooms. or used as one room, and
# will easily accommodate two or
three dozen pairs. The flying pen
should be much larger than the house
and ten to twelve feet high. 1t should
be large enough SO that the, mature
birds can fly considerably for exer-
else. The flying pen is constructed Of
poles or light timbers as frame
work, to be covered on the sides and
ton with poultry netting. It joins and
becomes a part Of the pigeon house.
Small openings are provided In the
house wall connecting with the flying
pen for the use Of the pigeons. These
are fitted with sliding doors so that
they may be kept closed or opened in
handling the birds. There should also
be a large door from the outside and
from the house leading into the flying
pen. The outside door may be frame,
covered with wire netting, while the
inside door should be solid so as to
be closed for protection in cold and
stormy weather. The house proper
should contain two or three large win
dows to admit plenty of light. and
these are to be covered on the inside
with wire netting to prevent the es-
cape of birds when the windows are
open In summer.
One wall inside OF the pigeon house
Is fitted with shelves about ten inches
wide, with eight to ten inches be-
tween shelves. On these shelves are
. to be placed the trays or nest boxes
in which the pigeons are to lay their
eggs and rear their young. For this pur.
pose 1t is best to use small wooden or
earthenware dishes or bowls, manu-
featured and sold for the purpose. as
they are easily handled, cleaned and
disinfected ..., ..
z A good matched board floor Is the
/ best kind Of floor for the pigeon
house or loft, and on this floor are to
be placed boxes containing feed and
water. The feed should consist Of a
!. variety of mixed small grains, grit,
salt and shells. A variety must be
furnished, since the birds are in con-
nnement and cannot seek food on the
open range. II they do not receive
the kinds Of food necessary for all
their growing and producing needs,
they cannot be expected to do we'll
p and In some cases death of the birds
and failure will result. The follow
ing feeds in a mixture are recommend
ed: Wheat, kaff1r corn, cracked corn.
Canada peas and bird millet. In ad-
dlt1on to these, about twice each
week some hemp seed is supplied.
!, Grit, oyster shells and salt are kept
before the birds all the time Do not
forget the salt, as pigeons are fond
1 OF 1t and must have 1t for health and
growth. Also, give them charcoal. In
winter more cracked corn in proper
y uon to the other feeds should be sup
I. Piled to furnish warmth in cold wealth
er
Birds are clean animals and pigeons
keep themselves clean by bathing in
! water Owing to this habit, large
basin of water must be kept in the
pigeon house. and this must be re-
aewed often with a large flock. It Is
delight to see pigeons battle in a
z Oasln OF water. They like to play in
water apparently better than boys do
IN the "old swimming hole"
From the fact that the birds are
Kept IN confinement, every attention
must be given for their comfort and
necessities. Everything must be kept
% clean as possible to avoid insects
ana disease. Litter must be supplied
.or nest building; water must be given
.o[ drinking and bathing: rats and
v.ner enemies must be kept out, and
-. birds In general must be looked
.lter and studied. Selecting and mat
tines. y =; ? -
Pigeons differ from other domestic
unas IN several ways. One of these is
Mst the parent pigeons feed their
. . from predigested food from
nelr own crops. The young (squabs)
4 .emaln on the nest till they are sew.
n cr0l weeks old and nlr,ost 10. ,or1a