THE BEST SQUAB RAISERS 1 5 



was exactly the same in these two cases. In other 

 words, it took three more of the medium-weight 

 squabs to bring $17 than' of the heavy-weight ones. 

 Of the 220 squabs in the two shipments, only eight 

 birds or less than 4 per cent were graded in the seven- 

 pound class. To produce such squabs requires good 

 stock and careful management; but first-class Homer 

 stock is equal to the task. In fact, in the shipments 

 mentioned, 6 dozen squabs graded 10 pounds to the 

 dozen. Our aim in breeding is to develop birds that 

 will produce the largest possible number of heavy 

 squabs suitable for the market when four weeks, or 

 less, old. Our birds consist of nearly all straight 

 Homer stock. A few birds have a mixture of 

 Dragoon blood. We have clung persistently to the 

 Homer strains, because we cannot get the reliable evi- 

 dence of any other pigeon that will equal their record. 



Number of squabs a year from one pair. — There are 

 those who publish claims that their particular variety 

 or strain will produce 10 or 12 pairs of squabs a year. 

 Let us look, for a moment, at the possibilities of such 

 results. The hen pigeon lays an egg and skips a day ; 

 usually on the third day she lays the second egg; in- 

 cubation requires 17 days, at the end of which time the 

 squabs hatch. Thus, 20 days are required from 

 first egg to time of hatching. For nearly a week the 

 squabs are fed on "pigeon-milk." 



For the sake of argument, we will suppose that at 

 the end of another week, or 14 days from the time the 

 squabs hatched, the hen begins laying again. It must 

 be remembered, however, that the squabs must be fed 

 until they are about four weeks old before they are 

 ready for market. Suppose, however, that the hen 



