GETTING STARTED RIGHT . 27 



mated, just so they are old enough to mate and you get an equal 

 number of males and females, as they will mate up and go to 

 work promptly if you have favorable conditions. If you wish 

 to start on a large scale, you should first find a suitable place 

 for a squab plant. 



If you conclude to enter the squab business on a large scale 

 from the start, I would suggest that you proceed about as fol- 

 lows: First decide on a location. Of course the distance from the 

 market has something to do with the profits of the business, 

 but as freight rates on feed is as high as express rates on squabs, 

 in proportion to the amount consumed and sold, it is about as 

 well to be near the supply of feed as the squab market. As a 

 rule, the best section to enter the business is where you happen 

 to be located. 



For each 40 pairs of squab breeders it requires a ground space 

 8 feet wide and 26 feet long, 208 square feet, or about 2V2 square 

 feet to the bird. This allows for the Eggleston regulation squab 

 house, making each nest room 8x10 feet square, and a 4x8 feet 

 aisle in front, and an 8x12 feet fly pen. A 3-foot aisle and an 

 8x10 foot fly pen will do, if you are short of ground space. 



Each 10-unit plant will require a ground space 26x80, which 

 will house and care for 400 pairs of birds. To this should be 

 added enough space for a feed and killing house. 



With a small plant one can store feed in the aisle or pas- 

 sageway, or can even provide a small bin in the aisle for feed 

 purposes, but with a large plant it is necessary to have a feed 

 room, and also a killing room, either separate or together. These 

 rooms can be built in connection with the squab house, or a 

 separate building can be constructed for that purpose. 



I think the best plan is to build the feed room in connection 

 with the squab house, so that it will not be necessary to go out 

 doors in order to carry feed to the birds. A good plan is to 

 leave one or two units vacant in the center of a squab house for 

 this purpose, with a door entering from the rear, and doors 

 leading into the aisle or passageway to the birds on either side. 



Regular grain bins should be built around the walls of the 

 feed room, and they should be mice and rat proof. A large 

 convenient bin should be arranged for mixing the grain. The 

 mixing place should be large enough to permit the use of a hoe 

 or a scoop shovel for stirring or mixing purposes. 



