The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-18
MODEL PIGEON
FARM LOCATED
/ NEAR CAPITAL
James Baird, New Yorker and
Former D. C. Business man,
/ Profits from Old Hobby
BIRDS HAVE APARTMENTS
Live Comfortably as City Folk.
as They Breed Squads
Destined for Hotel Tables

Probably the greatest pigeon
breeding plant in America is
located just a few minutes ride
from the exclusive residential
section of Cleveland Park on
Massachusetts, Avenue Heights
overlooking the river. It is
known as Baird's Farm Pigeon
Lofts, and is owned by James
Baird, Of New York, formerly Of
Washington, the president Of the
George A. Fuller Construction
Company.
His Hobby.
Mr.. Baird is one OF the country's
most successful business men. The
first money he ever made in his
life he made from pigeons when q
boy, and all during his busy career
he has looked forward to the time
when he could go back to his early
hobby and enjoy few birds.
Somewhat over q year ago, he
bought q pair OF very fine birds at
tina Washington Poultry Show, and
from that beginning he has in
creased the number Of birds and
he has over 5000 pairs at work
and capacity for 1000 additional
pairs which he expects to- rear this
spring.
The Baird lofts are unique in
many respects. In the first place,
they represent the last word in
economy and efficiency. They CON.
sist Of long buildings divided into
separate breeding pens, each pen
accommodating 100 birds. They
have automatic feeding devices,
running hot and cod water, large
bathtubs where the pigeons can
take their daily baths, for pigeons
hathe more frequently than human
beings IL the facilities are offered
them.
In each one of these pens, which
accommodates 100 birds, there are
separate nesting compartments for
each pair, so that the pigeons,
which are not entirely unlike HUI
man beings in their daily routine,
can carry on their domestic affairs
just as comfortably as dweIlers in
our great apartment houses.
Has Three Varieties.
Baird's farm specializes' in three
varieties OF SQUAD pigeons. Most
important Of these are the regis
tered White Swiss mondaines, the
young of which at four weeks Of
: age weigh nearly two pounds. Next
IN size are the White Kings, of
which the young will average slight.
~ under one pound in weight. Then
there are the homers, which have
been used for many, many years
not only to carry messages, but to
rear the tender and juicy squads
which are such delicacies on the
table. The homer squads have al
most as much breast meat on them
rs the other varieties, but they do
not possess such a large bone or
carry the length of body.
At Baird's farm, pigeons are rear
ed not only for the table, but for
the exhibition pens. Probably the
highest priced stock in America is
found on this farm. Undoubtedly,
birds there have been purchased at
almost fabulous prices in order to
insure for the plant the very finest
stock in the world.
Take Prizes.
During the recent winter show
season, the White Swiss and racing
homers from Baird's farm took the
highest honore at a number Of the
largest pigeon exhibits in the coun.
try.
The plant itself is under the i'm
mediate direction Of Lieut.. J. J
MacAtee, who formerly had chargt
of the racing pigeon service for thu
United States navy. Mr.. MacAte,
Is regarded as an authority on thu
mating and rearing of pigeons ant
1t is his expectation to conduc
Baird's- farm pigeon lofts on
strictly business basis, making ever,
bird pay its way with a profit be
sides.
His immediate object IL to I'll
the plant to capacity with breeders
In doing this he will select the hes
Of the young reared on the farm
this year. When that is done it /
his expectation to be able to furnisl
to the hotels, hospitals and privat
families of Washington stead,
supply Of squad pigeons, and Il
addition to that he already has re
ceived offers of contracts to suppl
some of the foremost hotels of New
York and the summer resorts alon