84 PIGEON RAISING 



By looking up nests 7 and 40 the breeder can 

 in a few moments tell who 125 and 200 are 

 and their colors, marking, and ages, and so on 

 as long as the book stands. 



With regard to the age of breeding pigeons, 

 cocks have been known to breed healthy, strong 

 squabs at fifteen years of age, but, of course, 

 they were mated to young hens. 



On no account allow nest-mates to mate, 

 though this never occurs if there are other birds 

 to choose from. 



Although it is well to allow birds to choose 

 their own mates ordinarily, the breeder re- 

 quires the use of a mating coop when he is de- 

 sirous of making special points in breeding. 

 This coop has two compartments with a remov- 

 able wire partlti'on through which the birds 

 may see each other. Leave them for a day or 

 two and If they appear friendly and the cock Is 

 doing everything he can to fascinate the hen, 

 remove the partition and leave them until the 

 hen returns the cock's caresses, then turn them 

 Into the pen Intended for them. Such a coop Is 

 three feet long, two feet wide, and two feet 

 high. 



Black meat squabs are looked upon as a 

 blemish on the breeder's skill, and the moment 

 one is discovered It is expelled and his progeni- 



