6 SQUABS FOR PROFIT 



bring a small price in the market. It can be set down 

 as a rule, therefore, that no profit can be realized from 

 a flock of birds until they are fully a year old. 



Age limit of profitable birds. — Birds more than 

 nine or ten years old are unprofitable. Here again ex- 

 ceptions are occasionally met; we have known of a 

 single instance of a pair of birds continuing profitable 

 at eighteen years of age. These cases are so excep- 

 tional, however, a beginner will do well to remember 

 that after birds are nine years old they are not likely 

 to to be a source of profit. 



Unmated birds are unprofitable. — Until pigeons 

 have accepted each other as mates, there will be no 

 attempt at housekeeping or nest-making. Neither 

 eggs nor squabs will appear. Nevertheless, feeding 

 twice a day with unfailing regularity by the owner 

 must be continued. How long will be required by a 

 flock, say 50 birds of each sex, to mate is a question 

 which can be answered only by the birds themselves; 

 but the feeding expense and care must continue until 

 the mating is accomplished. 



Keep mated and unmated birds separate. — No 

 unmated birds must be permitted in the ^reeding 

 quarters. This one simple rule is of great value in 

 raising squabs. Ignorance of or neglect to enforce it 

 annually causes heavy losses among squab breeders. 

 To rear squabs profitably, the birds must be peaceable. 

 Sometimes a bird will fight with the lawful occupants 

 of a nest. Frequently, in such cases, the eggs will be 

 broken or the young squabs are thrown to the floor. 

 Often an unmated hen will cause fights among the 

 mated cock birds. Unmated birds of either sex have 

 no place or business in the breeding pen; separate 

 quarters must be provided for them to insure success. 



