CHAPTER II 

 GETTING STARTED RIGHT 



THE WAY TO START 



Whether one starts in the squab business on a large or small 

 scale depends upon the capital he has to invest, the conveniences 

 at hand and the time he can devote to it. 



There are two ways to start in the pigeon business. With a 

 few pairs in a back yard or an immediate start with several 

 hundred pairs, with substantial houses and ground room to run 

 a good sized plant. If you go into the business with a few pairs, 

 you should, as near as practical, follow the same methods, adopt 

 the same equipment, and pay as much attention proportionately 

 as you would if you had a large plant with several thousand 

 birds. In this way you will establish yourself so that when your 

 plant grows you will know just how to expand and successfully 

 operate it. 



In outlining, therefore, the way to start and the essential 

 things to do, I will vary only where it will be necessary to 

 explain the difference between the buildings and ground re- 

 quirements for a large plant and a small one. If you are going 

 to start with a few pairs you should first prepare a suitable 

 place for your birds. Carefully survey the premises to determine 

 the most practical place available, always remembering that 

 there is a right and a wrong as well as a best way to do every- 

 thing, and that this applies to the squab business whether con- 

 ducted on a large or a small scale. 



A section of almost any building will do for a nest room. 

 A chicken house, bam loft, a garage or an attic will do to start 

 with. A south or east exposure is the best. The place should 

 be thoroughly cleaned, made rat and cat proof. A floor space 

 4x6 feet is about as small as can be used with any degree of 

 satisfaction, and if convenient a larger space should be provided. 



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