POULTRY KEEPING 617 



as well as wild birds. They prefer roosting high in trees. They 

 make their ne^ts on the ground, which often consists of little more 

 than a slight depression. As a rule the nests are secluded and 

 usually are some distance from dwellings. The breeding season be- 

 gins about the same as that of wild birds, that is in April or May. 

 Breeders usually expect upwards of 50 or 60 eggs a year from each 

 hen, and sometimes secure even more than a hundred. Guinea 

 hens make poor sitters, as they are restless and are inclined to range 

 when they should be on the nests ; when they do set, however, they 

 are likely to leave the nests as soon as a few chicks are hatched, and 

 they go off with them and frequently leave many eggs that would 

 hatch in a few more hours of incubation. Guinea chicks are hardly 

 more than half as large as chickens. They grow rapidly, however, 

 but like young turkeys are sensitive to cold and dampness. 



Feeding. Wheat, corn, oats and buckwheat are recommended 

 as suitable grains for guineas, in fact, as with other classes of poul- 

 try, a mixture proves more satisfactory than any single grain. Little 

 guinea chicks need feeding almost immediately after hatching. 



Marketing. In Europe guinea fowls are considered very de- 

 licious table birds and they are also prized in some parts of the 

 United States, especially in the South, and are much relished by 

 those who have discriminating tastes. The demand for them in the 

 markets is increasing considerably. In support of that statement 

 may be said that a fashionable hotel in New York uses about a thou- 

 sand a month during the late winter and spring months. When 

 well cooked the birds are attractive in appearance and the flesh, par- 

 ticularly of young birds, is tender and of especially fine flavor. 

 (Agr. Dep. F. B. 234.) 



SQUAB RAISING. 



In selecting the site for the home of pigeons as much care and 

 judgment should be exercised as in choosing the location for one's 

 own home. An unhealthy location for man would most likely prove 

 unhealthy for the birds. The spot selected should be well drained, 

 should face the south or east, if possible, should be free from ob- 

 structions which shut out the rays of the morning sun and be shel- 

 tered either by trees or buildings from the north and west winds. 

 Such a place with a shallow stream of pure running water will make 

 an ideal site and will require a minimum of expense and work in 

 caring for the stock. 



Size and Capacity of House. Some successful breeders prefer 

 single houses holding not more than 50 pairs of birds, but five of 

 these houses will cost considerably more to build than one house of 

 five sections accommodating the same number of birds in each sec- 

 tion. So the larger house will be found the most economical both 

 as to construction and care, providing a large number of birds are 

 to be maintained. A building 12 feet square and 9 feet high to the 

 peak of the roof will be found ample for 50 pairs of pigeons. It is 

 not thought advisable to keep more than 50 pairs in one house or 

 in one section. The house for rearing squabs should be well lighted. 

 One of sufficient size to accommodate 50 pairs should have ait least 



