Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1920-09-10
PIGEONS REQUIRE A
VARIETY OF HARD GRAIN
SQUADS are Fed Pigeon Milk Mixed
With Grain by Parent Birds
Also Plenty Of Pure Water

Squads are reared and fed by botn
of the parent birds on grain, mixed
with athick. creamy mixture called
pigeon milk. produced in the crop of
the pigeons. 1t is essential that the
pigeons have a plentiful supply of
grain and fresh pure water at all
times while they are rearing SQUADS il
rapid growth of the young. is to be
secured. Pigeons usually feed the
squads shortly after they themsel, es
are fed. and should not be disturbed
at that time. Care should always
be taken not to brighten or disturb
pigeons or squads any more than is
absolutely necessary. II the paren:
birds die the squads may be removed
to other nests where there is only one
SQUAD of the same size, or they may be
fed artificially. although this process
takes considerable time.
MANY val IttCS VI grains dTe uSeu III
feeding pigeons. A good mixture Of
staple grains may be made of equal
parts by weight of small whole corn,
hard. dry wheat, kafir corn. Canada
peas, and vetch. with a small guam.
tity (abOut S per cent each) of hemp
and millet seeds added during the
moult!ng period. Other grains which
may be substituted for or added to
these are peanuts, dried garden peas,
cowpeas, clipped oats or hulled oats,
buckwheat, Egyptian corn. and milo
maize, while a small quantity Of stale
bread. rice, rape, millet. canary or
sun-flower seed may be fed for vari-
ETY.. Canada peas are expensive, but
seem to be essential to the best
results. especially during the breed
ing season. Peanuts, cowpeas, and
dried garden peas give quite good
results and sometimes are used in
place OF Canada peas when the latter
are high In price. Soy beans do not
seem to be SO we'll liked by pigeons.
Tender green feed. such as freshly cut
clover, alfalfa, and chard, lettuce.
plantain leaves and chickweed may
be fed, but is not essential.
A variety Of good. hard. thoroughly
dried grains is necessary. Grains
that are in poor condition should not
be fed. Old grains that are hard are
much better than new, soft grains.
especially for pigeons with squads.
New. soft grains of any kind should
never be fed to pigeons, as they will
cause bad results IN the flock, often
resulting in heavy loss. particularly
among SQUADS. Feed whole corn ard
avoid cracked corn, as the latter often
causes canker. Pigeon corn. which
Is smaller and harder than common
corn, Is used extensively for pigeons.
Many pigeon breeders reduce the pro-
portion of corn during the summer,
feeding from one-half to three-fourths
less than in winter. Red wheat Is
COuCiOCACu UCttCi tudn WultC WuOoS
by many pigeon breeders. Good wheat
screenings are often fed with success,
but are not as desirable as clean.
sound, hard grains.
Pure drinking water, grit. sifted
oyster shells. and charcoal should be
kept before the pigeons at all times
Salt is fed to pigeons in various forms,
and supply is generally considered
essential. Pigeons not accustomed to
eating fine salt may eat too much il
given large quantity at one time.
although it is used with success by
many careful feeders. Salt may be
fed in lump form, such as rock salt.
or as fine salt moistened and baked
into a hard lump. without danger Of
the pigeons eating too much. Mixtures
of commercial grits containing vary
ing proportions of grit, charcoal.
oyster shells, and salt are used by
many pigeon raisers. A mixture OF
this kind may be made Of so pounds
Stacked lime. 40 pounds of granite
grit, 40 pounds Of oyster shells. 10
pounds of charcoal, pounds of salt,
and 8 pounds of venetian red. Such
mixtures are relished by the pigeons
and seem to have some value in keep