68 SQUABS FOR PROFIT 



sold at 90 cents a pair, amounted to $136.35, while 

 the first flock, with 166 squabs, netted $74-70» or ^ dif- 

 ference of $61.65. The flocks being of the same size, 

 the difference in the amount of feed consumed would 

 not be very large. That used by the extra number of 

 squabs in the flock showed the best results. 



Mice as a cause of trouble, — One of these breeders 

 came to us complaining of his ill luck and wondering 

 what could be the trouble. We asked him if he had 

 any mice in the pen. He was sure he had none, and 

 felt certain that the presence of the mice in the nests 

 would not cause any trouble. We told him we were 

 exceedingly careful to keep all mice out of our pens. 

 They cause trouble whenever they find quarters in a 

 squab's nest. By squirming about underneath the 

 bird and running about the edge of the nests, the 

 parent birds are frightened and seek another position. 

 This exposes the eggs or squabs, as the case may be, 

 without the warmth of the body of the parent bird. 

 When the bird attempts again to enter the nest it 

 will leave if it finds the mice still there. Two or 

 three such visits will occupy enough time for the 

 eggs to become chilled or young squabs, frozen if the 

 weather was extremely cold. 



This particular breeder came again after the lapse 

 of another week, and complained a second time of his 

 continued losses. We still suggested mice, but he was 

 still incredulous. Finally he concluded to make a 

 thorough examination. He secured the services of 

 Pink, our attendant, who began work at the top nest 

 in the corner of the first pen he entered. More than a 

 dozen mice ran out of this nest, and the next two pro- 

 duced abonr an equal number. The owner had said to 

 Pink that rt was not necessary to examine these nests 



