CHAPTER V. 



FEEDING. BREEDING, AND MANAGEMENT. 



The grain used for feeding fancy pigeons is wheat, barley, beans, 

 peas, tares, and Indian corn, besides some other kinds. All of these 

 are good in their way, and may be mixed together. The fancier will find 

 that some birds prefer one kind, and some another. The grain should 

 neither be too new, nor too old, for when used in the same year 

 as it is grown, it is inclined to be too relaxing, and apt to scour the 

 birds. On the other hand, old grain, that has been ill kept and 

 perforated by worms or weevils, has lost moat of its goodness, and a 

 great part of it will be refused by the birds. Grain may be kept well 

 for a considerable time if spread on a wooden floor to the depth of 

 Gin. or 9in., and turned over once a week or so. The place should be 

 free from damp, or it will become musty. Well conditioned grain 

 keeps the birds in good health, and makes a great difference in the 

 number of yonng ones reared, for any that has become too hard from 

 age cannot be easily digested by them, and musty or worm-eaten stuff, 

 being distasteful to them, the young ones suffer in consequence. When 

 floor space is not available for storage of grain, it should be changed 

 from one bin to another as often as convenient, or if kept in sacks they 

 should be shaken up now and then, with the object of destroying moths 

 and other insects, which will assuredly find their way amongst it if left 

 long undisturbed. 



Wheat may be used more freely in the summer than in the winter. 

 Pigeons are fond of it, and, when given them to the extent of one fourth 

 of their supply, it is beneficial during the breeding season. 



Barley is good food for pigeons, and I have used it, to some extent. 



