. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 103 



It is impossible to use an incubator and raise pigeons success- 

 fully, because there is no way of feeding the young squabs 

 when they are hatched. The life of squabs is nourished and 

 prolonged from day to day by the parent birds, which feed 

 them. To raise squabs, you must start by buying the adult 

 breeders. You cannot start with the eggs. 



Question. It seems to me that if each pair of squabs 

 hatched consists of male and female, that this couple is likely 

 to pair when grown, being well acquainted with each other. 

 This would be inbreeding and would weaken my flock. What 

 shall I do? Answer. It is not the plan of the species to mate 

 and inbreed like this. If brother and sister mated as you 

 describe, the species would be extinct after a while. They 

 will look for new mates as soon as they get out of the nest and 

 are of breeding age. 



Question. When are the young pigeons old enough to 

 mate? Answer. At from four to six months. 



Question. My birds do not know enough to go in from the 

 roof of the squab house when it rains. How shall I get them 

 in? Answer. Let them stay on the roof in the rain if they 

 wish. The rain will do them no harm. 



Question. Must I heat the squab house in the winter time? 

 Answer. No. The heat from a flock of pigeons in a well- 

 built house is considerable. You will get more squabs from 

 your pigeons in the winter time if you do heat your house 

 slightly, not enough to cause much expense, but just enough 

 to take the chill off. Do not let your birds out of the squab 

 house on bitter cold days. 



Question. I live in Texas and I think in this climate your 

 squab house would be too warm and stuffy. Answer. You 

 are right. Adapt the construction to your locality. The 

 poultry houses in Texas as compared to those in the North 

 are much less expensive and more open to the air, and your 

 squab house should be built on the same principle. 



Question. Suppose I cool the squabs as you direct and 

 pack them into a box for shipment, shall I use ice? Is there 

 any danger that the meat will be discolored when they arrive 

 at market? Answer. Ice is not necessary in the fall, winter 

 and spring. In the summer time you should use ice, although 

 if the shipment is for a short distance, ice may not be necessary. 

 In hot weather the squabs should not be killed until the night 



