124 AMERICAN SQUAB CULTURE 



crop, a case of constipation, running off of the bowels, an in- 

 active liver, a clogged gizzard, or even a severe cold, it will eat 

 but little, if anything, and naturally "go light." Hence a certain 

 remedy to cure "going light" would not suffice. That which 

 would be good for a cold or a soup crop might not be beneficial 

 for some of the other ailments mentioned. 



Before one can intelligently doctor a bird, he must first diag- 

 nose its troubles or at least form a conclusion as to the cause. 



The old saying about an ounce of prevention being worth a 

 pound of cure especially applies in the pigeon business. The 

 proper care and attention and a simple remedy given at the 

 first sign of sickness will keep pigeons in the best of condition. 



Birds that get sick should be put in a pen by themselves, 

 where they will not be bothered by the aggressive cocks in the 

 loft. Such a place should afford plenty of light and fresh air 

 (no draught), be warm in winter and cool in summer. They 

 should be provided daily with fresh water, grit, salt, charcoal, 

 oyster shell, and have plenty of appetizing food. 



A good plan is to apply the same general principle of treat- 

 ment to a pigeon as one would to a person, using one's best 

 judgment as to how much treatment is practical and profitable, 

 and basing opinion upon knowledge of what can be accom- 

 plished. 



The most common cause for "going light" is lack of nourish- 

 ment. The pigeons actually are starving for want of nourish- 

 ing grain like Canada peas and pigeon peanuts. "Going light" 

 is also seen in females driven too hard by the males. Such 

 females should be removed from the breeding pen and rested. 

 There is no germ cause for "going light." 



SORE EYES 



The principal cause of sore eyes among pigeons is colds, due 

 to dampness or overhead drafts. The symptoms of sore eyes 

 caused from colds are: First, swollen eyelids, followed by a 

 slight discharge and gummed up eyelids to the extent of total 

 closing of the eye. To cure sore eyes caused by colds, cure the 

 cold by removing the cause, then nature will take its course, 

 provided the birds are accorded the proper treatment, such as 

 plenty of fresh air, good wholesome feed and pure water. The 



