The Feather's Practical Pigeon Book 



I do not wish to be understood as meaning Carriers, 

 Pouters, or Runts, as they are, as a rule, poor breeders, 

 although if Runts could be relied upon, they would pro- 

 duce a squab that would be far and away above all other 

 squabs for table use; but by large birds I mean iarge- 

 sized common pigeons, or crosses between common pig- 

 eons and some of the large birds. Persons living near 

 large cities have opportunities for selections of such 

 birds that persons remote from large places do not 

 have, they being frequently found in the poultry and 

 bird-stores as well as markets of these places. 



But to start a flock, select the largest light-colored 

 birds to be had in the country round about, then by in- 

 troducing White Carriers, White Duchesse, and heavy- 

 bodied V\'hite Pouters, a cross can be made that will 

 eventually give just the size and kind of birds most de- 

 sired for the purpose aimed at. Another step towards 

 perfecting such a flock is the selection of the best feed- 

 ers and most careful nurses among the lot, discarding 

 all of the poor and unreliable feeders. These are soon 

 learned and should be disposed of and their places sup- 

 plied by others until the required number of proper 

 quality is reached. 



As I have said, it will take some time to accomplish 

 this, but while, working towards this end the enterprise 

 can be made to pay its way, as some squabs will be 

 raised even by poor feeders. Such an outfit as this con- 

 nected with a poultry-farm, will add much to the income 

 and be in a direct line with poultry breeding. 



As with successful egg-farm.ing, constant attention is 

 required to see that the pigeons are living harmoniously 

 together, that each pair keeps to its own locality, is 

 feeding its young properly, and is regularly supplied 

 with proper food and clean water. A flock of beautiful 



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