"proper care of squabs and youngsters 163 



feed. Some will try to pick all of the large grains such as large 

 peas, while others will eat nothing but small grains. I have 

 even seen them refuse to eat anything larger than millet. There- 

 fore, a good assortment of grains is necessary, which should 

 include a small percentage of hemp, and especially so in cold 

 or damp weather when birds do not seem to eat freely. 



The feed should be kept in a convenient place and not very 

 far away from where the youngsters are in the habit of staying. 



Third, a good supply of fresh water must be kept within 

 easy reach of the youngsters. The water should be warm in 

 winter and cool in the summer time. Hot water in summer is 

 apt to give squabs a sour crop and if the water is too cold in 

 the winter time, they will not drink freely of it. Water should 

 not be allowed to stand any length of time in the squab house, 

 as it draws impurities and young birds are very susceptible to 

 ailments. 



Fourth, a good supply of grit, oyster shell and charcoal must 

 be kept within easy reach of the young birds. A mixture of one 

 part salt and five parts charcoal, measured by weight, is a 

 splendid thing for young birds. The salt will cause them to eat 

 the charcoal, which aids their digestion and keeps them healthy. 

 Salt will also make them thirsty and lots of water is very bene- 

 ficial to youngsters. 



A good plan is to sprinkle coarse sand or grit on the floor 

 daily. They will find the gravel in this way, while if it is put 

 in a receptacle they will not see it and are not apt to eat it if 

 they do. 



I favor the same nesting arrangement for young birds as for 

 old ones (that is the double nest box system as is described 

 herein), for the reason that it furnishes plenty of roosting 

 places, and the birds that want to get back where it is warm 

 can roost in the nest, while others prefer to roost out on the 

 running boards. In this way the weaker and more timid birds 

 have protection against the stronger ones and are not forced 

 to roost on the floor. 



A nest room, 8x10, with 40 double, 80 single nests, will amply 

 accommodate 100 youngsters, and that is about as many as 

 should be kept together. 



Youngsters should be separated into groups, according to then- 

 age and strength. A good plan is to go around once a week 



