CHAPTER IX 

 MOULTING AND COLOR BREEDING 



MOULTING 



Like all other feathered animals, pigeons moult (shed their 

 feathers, once a year. They commence to moult in the summer 

 and finish getting their new feathers before cold weather, and 

 thus nature has provided a way for them to ke^p cool in hot 

 weather and warm in cold weather, and at the same time be 

 annually supplied with a new suit. 



During the moulting process a bird will shed every feather, 

 but only a few at a time, so at all times they are partly covered 

 with feathers and have enough so they can fly. At the height 

 of the moulting period, however, it is sometimes difficult for 

 some birds to fly, especially if they have not moulted out evenly, 

 which is sometimes the case, caused by poor condition or insuf- 

 ficient feed of the proper feather producing value. 



Birds require food during the moulting period with a lot of oil 

 in it Sunflower seed, millet, hemp or peanuts are all good 

 feather producing feed, sunflower seed being the best for the 

 purpose, millet next. 



Mr. Mushet says: "Probably there is no period in the life of 

 the pigeon that requires more attention than during the time 

 of moulting, not only on account of the breaking down of the 

 muscular tissues, owing to natural conditions, but also the drain 

 on their vitality incidental to the production of a complete cover- 

 ing of new feathers. 



Too great care cannot be given birds during this trying ordeal. 

 At this time the birds are more than ever subject to ailments 

 and while they may have gotten bravely over their moultings, 

 many troubles which are apparent later may be traced directly 

 to adverse conditions, which, under ordinary circumstances, 

 would be of little importance." 



To sum up the matter briefly, I would suggest that all lofts 

 be thoroughly cleaned before moulting and disinfected wdth 



113 



