THE PIGEON BOOK 27 



Those who decide to feed their pigeons by hand — that 

 is to say, by distributing the food on the floor of the loft 

 at given intervals — must take the greatest possible care 

 to ensure that it is not fouled by the excretions. Only 

 so much as they will eat up at each meal must be given. 



Opinions differ as to the use of salt. I always keep a 

 piece of rock salt in the loft, but it is dangerous to keep 

 them without salt any length of time and then to break up 

 salt in the loft, as they will eat it greedily, and become 

 poisoned from so doing. 



As to grit, there are many and various kinds on the 

 market, all equally good. A fancier should make his 

 choice. But the grit must not be allowed to mix with 

 dirty excretions, as it will cause sour crop and other ail- 

 ments if partaken of and eaten in a foul state. 



Opinions differ as to the best covering for the floor. 

 In the case of exhibition birds I think sawdust best ; but 

 it must be laid to a depth of ijin. to ain. over the whole 

 floor, and will not then blow about. The flight should 

 be well dressed and covered with gravel, which must 

 occasionally be renewed and kept clean. 



For racing birds I like a wooden floor to the loft, 

 raised off the ground, and under the perches Only I 

 sprinkle clean dry sand to enable the cleaning to be more 

 readily carried out. 



But in Belgium you seldom see any sand or grit on 

 the floor of the lofts, as they believe this creates dust in 

 the loft, which permeates the plumage and acts counter 

 to the natural oil in the feather necessary to resist the 

 elements when the birds have long journeys to make. 



