Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-05
{ Weekly Bureau of In
formation for All Who
Till the Soil or Arc In
tteresfed in Milking Homes
AN INCREASING DEMAND
EVERY DAY FOR SQUADS


demand for squads to-day than can be
met by the people engaged in raising
them for the markets of the cities of
Virginia, and those Of other states
easily reached from Virginia and this
demand is increasing every day.
Few people comparatively under
stand the squa b IA Using business. aud
some Information pertaining TO the
business In general may not lie out
OF place Just now.
The hen pigeon usually lays two
eggs iii three days before she starts
TO set. II more than two eggs are
laid II is advisable 20 remove the extra
ones. as pair OF pigeons can raise only
two good squads At one time. The
period Of incubation Of pigeon cEgs is
about seventeen days, Both the male
and the female pigeon sit on the eggs.
the male usually relieving the female
during part or most Of the day. Pigeon
eggs are usually fertile IL the pigeons
are healthy and properly fed. especially
when they have free range one SQUAD
Casually the maic) frequently matches
first. and where there are several eases
where one SQUAD outErows its nest
mate. IL may be advisable 10 sort the
squads in the nests. making the pairs
as uniform rs possible In size and age.
They should usually he changed in
the nest, however. before they are ten
days Old IT which time their parents
stop feeding them on pigeon milk.
Squads arc reared aud fed by both
Of tho parent birds on thick, creamy
mixture called pigeon milk. produced
In the crop OF the pigeons. Ii is very
essential that the pigeons have pien-
tiful supply of grain while they are
rearing squads III rapid growth Of the
young is 10 be secured. Pigeons usual
~ feed the squads shortly after they
themselves are fed. and should not be
he1 ot hat
advisable to water them before they
are fed. Care should always be taken
not to brighten or disturb pigeons or
SQUADS any more than is absolutely
necessary. II the parent birds die the
squads may sometimes he removed to
nest where there is only one SQUAD,
or they may he fed artiflcally. AL
though this process takes considera BILE |
time.
variety OF good. hard grains is
essential I" success. and grains which
are in poor condition should not he
fed. Old grains. which are hard. are
better than new. soft grains. especially
for pigeons with squads Good wheat
screenings are often fed with success.
Clear drinking water grit broken
oyster shell and charcoal should be
kept before the pigeons ALI the time
Salt is fed in various forms and
supply Of this material is generally
considered essential Salt may he fed
III lump form. such rock sal, or
fine salt moistened and baked into
hard lump. without danger of the
pigeons eating too much.
Fans OF water should be provided
daily except during the winter They
should be used only about twice
week during the winter.
SQUADS are fed by their parents m
til they are marketed. which is usually
At from three and one-half TO four
and one-half weeks OF age. They must
be sold about this age, ms the period
during which they are ready for mar
kct rarely exceeds week. Squads
are in good market condition when full
~ fcathered under the wings, which
is usually about the time they begin
10 leave their nests. and if not killed
OF this time they soon lose their baby
fat and their flesh begins TO get hard
Catch the squah to he marketed In
the morning before they arc fed by
their parents. so that their crops will
he empty. Squads are usually killed
N the same manner poultry by cut
ting the arteries In tho back part OF
the roof of tho mouth and piercing the
brain. but il sent to market without
plucking they are usually Killed by
wrtnging or breaking the neck The
latter Is done by pressing the thumb
against tho place where the homes OF
the neck Join the head. until tho head
Is dtslocated In sticking, the SQUADS
nre hung by their legs on nails or
hooks. with their wings double locked.
After they arc stuck, tho feathers are
Immediately plucked clean with th-
exception OF the head. and tho birds
are cooled either by placing them in
cold warSr or, 10y hanging them In
cool place. The crop should be cut
open and Thoroughly cleaned If II con
tans any feed.
Squads should be graded according
to size and quality, as darR -colorcd
and small squads tend 10 lower the
price paid for an entire shipment Of
mixed squads. They are usually
packed for shipment in good supply
OF cracked ice, breasts UP with mar
amin paper between each LAYER OF ice
and squads. Some express companies
have special rate for squad ship
menta. which should be secured wher-
ever possible. Tho express charges on
small shipments OF squads reduce the
profit materially. making ii difficult 10
sell the squads from a small flock at .
proft. II they have to be shipped to
commission men. As tho period at
which squad is right for market is
not over one week. II is necessary to
have good sized flock to have over
one dozen squads ready FOR market nj
one time. 4 local market which viii
take any number OF squads Is a great
aid to the small producer. Where one
has small flock IL usually pays hest
TO build II up Until 1t is large enough
10 mako good sized shipments Of