2 5 8 



OUR DOMESTIC BIRDS 



Where the space for pigeons is very limited and there is 

 room for only one small loft and fly, breeding operations are 

 closely restricted. Most pigeon fanciers want at least two lofts 

 of this size one for the breeding birds, the other for the 

 young birds that no longer need the care of their parents. With 

 such facilities the work in the breeding loft goes on better, and 

 promising young birds can be kept until they are well matured 

 and the breeder can tell whether it is advisable to keep some 



of these and dispose 

 of a part of the 

 old ones. 



To provide for 

 larger numbers of 

 birds, either more 

 lofts or larger lofts 

 may be made. A 

 breeder of fancy 

 pigeons usually pre- 

 fers many small 

 compartments. A 



FIG. 209. Old poultry house arranged for pigeons. 



(Photograph from Dr. J. G. Robinson, Pembroke, 



Massachusetts) 



breeder of squabs 

 for market makes 

 each compartment 

 as large as is convenient and builds as many as he has room for. 

 Buildings for pigeons are constructed on the same plans as 

 buildings for fowls. The furnishings of the pigeon loft are 

 different from those of the poultry house, and of course 

 the fly is always completely inclosed. Upper floors or lofts of 

 buildings are used for pigeons to much better advantage than for 

 poultry, but where there is room it is more satisfactory to have 

 all quarters for pigeons on the ground floor. 



As the young pigeons remain in the nest and are fed by 

 the parents until they are almost full-grown, each pair of old 

 pigeons must have their own nesting place. As has been stated, 



