The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1919-01-02
HE homing pigeon. also
commonly known as the
carrier and homer"

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I@KgU carrier and ''homer,
tA-Ng is so named because it
has the instinct to find its home
loft after being shipped long dis
tances and released.
The birds are slightly larger
than the common pigeon, and have
strong, powerful wings and we'll
developed chest. Some are of
gray or drab color; some are red
or rust colored and others are
nearly black. The wings are slight
ly checked and have two semi circle
marks near the end. They have
large, white wattles around the
eyes and on the nose.
These birds are used in several
ways, such as SQUAD raising, racing
and carrying messages.
In SQUAD raising, the homer out
classes all other pigeons. The
youngsters grow very rapidly, are
very plump and the meat is white.
When prepared for the table they
make sweet, delicious morsel.
Some of the rules of poultry
raising are also applied to SQUAD
raising. The birds must be kept
free from lice and mites as much
as possible. Too many birds pen
ned together does not bring good
yesults. The breeding stock should
be confined, with a large wire cage
built on a frame outside the loft
for them to exercise in,
Waste of feed, cats, rats, and
small boys that use a slingshot or
rifle, and disease are some of the
things that must be guarded against
if the business is to succeed.
Sportsmen find great pleasure in
raising and training birds for rae
ing purposes, which requires much
time and patience.
Thoroughbred breeding stock
should be used for all purposes. If
racing birds are to be bred the
best way to start is by buying
some old birds that have been in
races and proven their worth.
These birds must be confined of
course, for if given their freedom
will fly to their old loft.
When the youngsters are about
two weeks old, an aluminium band
is slipped over the foot and on to
the leg. AS the bird grows the
foot becomes bigger of course, and
the band is on to stay. On this
band is number or initial by
which a record of the bird is kept.
When the bird is big enough to
fly it must be given its freedom so
as to develop the wing muscles for
long continuous flights, and at the
same time become acquainted with
the lay of the land in the vicinity
of the loft.
When actual training begins the
birds must be forced to fly for
about half a day for while. then
the time is gradually heightened.
The morning is the time for this
work and it is not hard to keep
them going, for they seem to en-
joy it and fly a great deal, in large
circles, without being driven.
The next step is to take the birds
for short flights. This is accom-
plished by taking them out three
or four miles, first in one direction,
then in another, and liberating
them. When released they shoot
up into the air, circle once OF
twice to get their bearing and then
start for home with a speed that is
amazing.
It is also necessary to train them
to 90 into the coop Immediately
upon arriving. This is done by
putting peas and kafir corn, which
pigeons like very much, into the
coop, so when the birds arrive
home they 60 in to get some. The
reason for this will be seen later.
After this preliminary training the