Evening star., 1919-09-28

In the American Encyclopedia of
Agriculture an article by one Of our
most prominent authorities on poul-
try matters classifies pigeons as poul-
try, but many authorities reject this
classification, and with good reason.
II we accept the widely quoted defini-
tion Of poultry, which places under its
head all domesticated birds raised for
their feathers, eggs and meat the
young Of which are not helpless at
birth. we must reject the pigeon. as
It's young is helpless at birth and for
many days thereafter. However. be-
cause OF their close association with
poultry in the thoughts Of many peo-
pie shall devote this article to dis
cussion Of pigeons and their manage
ment.
The production Of squads for market
has for many years been found to be
a quite profitable undertaking by
many individuals having their homes
in our outlying towns and suburbs.
Occasionally small plants are located
in the more congested parts Of the
city and. like chickens, pigeons are
kept as a side line. One Of the most
successful squad raisers in New Eng
land is druggist IN Providence. r. I.
The work of caring for the birds is
not laborious and can easily be done
by women. as demonstrated by the
wife Of one Of our we'll known physi-'
clans in the suburbs of Baltimore
city. e.. ~
Z OF the many varieties of pigeons.
there are only about two or three
which are popular in this country as
squad producers. The Homer and the
Carneaux are quite prolific and give
US squads that dress from three-quar-
ters to q pound apiece.
The problems involved in the man
agegment Of pigeons. such as breed
ing, housing and feeding. are very
like those involved in the manage
ment Of chickens. The houses must
be comfortable, free from drafts and
dampness. Fresh air. however. is es-
sential, as Is an abundance Of sun
light. This necessitates q somewhat
elevated site for the house. with well
drained soil, especially as the yards
should be kept as dry as possible. On
most plants the pigeons are kept con-
fined to the buildings and the yards
are wired in with poultry netting on
both the sides and top. No special
type Of house Is required. usually an
old barn, milk or meat house or car
riage house Is available and may be
easily remodeled or fixed up to- suit
the needs Of the pigeons at little or
no expense.
II a new building is required, q very
simple structure may be constructed
like the one recommended by Mr.. Lee
of the United States department. after
geon plants throughout the country.
Such house can be built at mini
mum cost. It Is from ten to fifteen
feet from front to back (though 1t
may be made smaller) with double
pitched roof. six feet from floor to
to the ridge. which permits the care
taker to stand upright in any part Of
the house. The width Of most pigeon
houses is less than their depth. most
OF the space being taken up by the
nests on each side. tho roosts and the
caretaker in handling his birds and
cleaning the house. Much Of the pi-
geonS time, when not employed in
Matching or caring for the young, is
spent out Of doors in the flies (the
lwire-inclosed yards). It is usually ad
twelve to eighteen inches above the
ground, and in order to afford greater
protection from rats the posts may be
covered with tin or galvanized iron,
or inverted basins may be placed on
the top Of the posts and the house set
ally used and are made of two layers
Iof boards with one thickness Of roof
ing or building paper between the
layers. There can, however. be no
serious objection to flooring Of con-
crete. provided T. is properly laid and
which should be changed at intervals
Where concrete is used the house, Of
course, Is not set up on posts, the
concrete hoor and foundation wall be-
ing suhicient protection from rats.
geon house are not Of the open front
type like those commonly used in our
poultry houses. Fresh air Is necessary
to maintain the health Of the pigeons.
but the house must be kept as COM
Portable as possible because. Of the
Ill effects OF low temperatures upon
the young squads. which during the
early stages Of growth are delicate
and easily killed by unfavorable cli-
matte conditions. There should be
from two to three small windows In
each pen, which combined would not
Of the front wall. placed we'll up near
the caves so that the sunlight may
penetrate we'll to the rear. For . house
ten feet wide and eight feet high In
front, two windows. each two feet
square. would be sumcient, while one
| twelve feet wide and eight feet high
would require three windows OF like
dimensions.
In warm weather all windows
should be opened. but as the weather
grows colder 1T will be found neces-
sary to close them, though in each
PEN. muslin should take the place Of
glass In one Of the windows. Under
the windows about four feet above
| the foor. openings four inches wide
and ffve inches high are cut and just
beneath landing or lighting boards
from six 10 seven inches wide for the
pigeonD to festron are flxed both in-
| side aud outside the house. r
Wa1e over tho window openings II
unnecessary except to keep out the
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