The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-09-12
Practical Information Given III
BulletinPre d.byFed-
eraL EXPERTS

WASHINGTON. Sept. ln.-The city
or suburban man who keeps pigeons
either for pleasure or as a source OF
some profit, will fnd much. practical
information in the nav Farmers, Bull
letin No. 6s4, SQUAD Raising" re-
Gently issued by the poultry special
lists Of the United States Department
OF Agriculture. To the city owner
the bulletin offers practical suggcs-
tons as to breeds, housing, care and
feeding Of pigeons to produce squads
for his own table or possibly for
sale.
No Gold Mine.
The bulletin opens with strong
caution to those thinking about raie-
Ing pigeons for profit. not to expscs
them to be an automatic gold. mine.
As result Of inquiries addressed to
hundreds Of commercial raisers Of
pigeons, the departments investiga-
tor finds that an annual profit Of also
for pair of breeders is considered
good. It is pointed out also that pig
ecns can not be left to themselves II
they are to be OF profit, and that prot
itablo squad raising calls for good
breeding stock, special experience,
business ability and a good, steady
market. To quote the author: There
have been many failures in squa )
plants, as the profits in this business
have frequently been greatly overas-
timated and the care of the stock
wrongly regarded as something very
easy in which anyone could succeed
Many people can keep pigeons sue
cessfully as a side issue, although his
requires constant oversight and care.
fui attention to details. SCI
As the price paid for squads is large
~ affected by their size and color OF
their flesh, the squah raiser should bo
very careful about selecting breeds
The Homer gems to be the most pop
nlar freed for squad raising. but the
Carhcaux pigeon q larger bird, has
recently become popular. Several
other varieties OF larger pigeons are
used, especially in crossing with the
Homer and Carneaux. Tho Runt !s
one of the largest. but is not as p.c-
life or as good a breeder or feeder 40
the Homer. Variety alone. however,
does not guarantee successful squabi.
Birds differ individually and they
should be selected for their produc-
tive power, quality and size OF squads
and their ability to feed and rear Off
spring. Breeders with dark colorei
skins. legs or beak may give a poor
er market quality Of SQUAD than those
bred from birds which have white or
lpinkish white skin and light colorsi
! legs.
Feed for Pigeons.
| Pigeons are most valuale as SQUAD
producers when from two. to six
years Of age, although many will
breed until they are nearly eight
years old. The small varieties mate
land breed at Ave or six months, the
large varieties: at eight to nine
months. The amateur. therefore,
should buy from . thoroughly rei
able dealer mated pigeons from two
to three years old, or secure young
birds six to eight weeks old ana mate
thcm at the proper age. IN mating
the breeders should be selected vita
a denite object. using males strong IN
points In which the females are weak.
This can be accomplished either
through. natural mating or through
forced mating by connning the birds IN
coops,. separating them by. meana q,
q movable wire mesh partition. which
can be opened after the birds have
seen each other for six to ten days.
Care should be taken not 70 have SS-
ira minated male b IL the loft because
these Interfere with sd,ia6 nr66un.