CHAPTER VI 

 WATERING SYSTEMS 



Fouled W'atei- — Drinking- Fountains — Batliing I'ans — Continuous Flow 

 S>'Stoms — Kxjilanation of Continuous Flow Systeni, 



Pigeons rcqtiii'e (luitc a bit of water for tlriul^iiig and batliing. 

 Birds that are breeding consume even moie because of the fact 

 that they use a large amount in mixing the squab's feed in the 

 crop before this milky substance is disgorged into the throat of 

 the young bird. It is essential thei'efore that an adequate water 

 supply should he provided. Under no circumstances should 

 water be given to pigeons in an open receptacle for it will soon 

 become fouled antl fouleil \\ater will do the same thing as 

 fouled grain, namely: cause sickness. In no case should the 

 breeder attempt to supply bathing and drinking water froni the 

 same bath pan. The birds will bathe in it and it soon becomes 

 covered with a greasy scum ■which of course makes it totally 

 unfit for drinking. For the breeder \\iio cannot afford to install 

 an automatic or continuous flow system, it is recommended that 

 he use the most common system of all — the drinking fountain. 

 These can be had at any poultry sui)i>ly house for a nommal 

 price and A\ill last a long time. They arc^ made of galvanized 

 iron in sizes from one jiint on uj) to se\eral gallons, the one gal- 

 lon size probably lieing the best suited for the average pen of 

 birds. These fountains protect the water from being fouled and 

 if thoroughly washed in boiling water once a week will be 

 sanitary in every way. 



l!se an ordinary dishpan for furnishing baths for the Iiirds. 

 The size best suited for this is one about five inches deep and 

 from eighteen inches to twenty inches in diameter, a bath 



