THE IDEAL PIGEON HOUSE ( 23 



afterwards. Within a stone's throw of our pens are 

 eight barns which contain many rats. While these 

 rodents are often seen crossing adjoining lots to our 

 premises to drink from the bathtubs or basins in 

 the yards, we have never lost a squab from their dep- 

 redations. In fact, we have never seen any indications 

 of their presence within the pens. 



The house. — Our houses are 12 x 40 feet, divided 

 into five sections or pens of equal size. An alleyway, 

 as shown in Fig. 9, running the entire length of the 

 house, cuts off nearly 3 feet, thus making the ground 

 iloor of each pen 8x9 feet, as shown in Fig. 11 at 

 B. These pens are of sufficient size to accommodate 50 

 pairs of breeders. Each pen is furnished with 100 

 to 200 nests. (Fig. 13.) In no case should a 

 house be built for more than 250 pairs nor more 

 than 50 pairs in each pen. Some successful breeders 

 prefer single houses holding not more than- 50 pairs 

 of birds, but five single houses will cost considerably 

 more than one built in five sections, as here described. 

 When under one roof, it requires less time and labor in 

 attending to the birds than when they are in separate 

 and smaller houses. When a smaller house is desired, 

 one can be constructed according to the plans shown 

 in Fig 14. This can be adapted to either 25 or 50 

 pairs of breeders. 



For permanent use, there is no economy in erecting 

 a building of poor materials. This applies to the 

 roof as well as to the body of the building. Our 

 houses are constructed of first-class lumber, including 

 good cedar shingles. They are given two coats of 

 paint outside, and are 'thoroughly whitewashed inside 

 after they have been seasoned before they are con- 

 sidered ready for the birds. A new building should 



