CHAPTER Vlii 

 BANDING 



Types of Leg Bands — RecordiiiK- Band Xunihers — Seamless Bands - 

 Open Bands. 



Leg l)aii(ls of some dchicription are almost a necessitj in tlio 

 well regulated and modern pigeon plant, lie it small or largo. 

 It is with the aid ol tliese little markers that we know nrated 

 pairs, the lofts in whieli they helong antl the parentage of the 

 squabs, etc. 



Th(>i-e are U\o t> lies of leg han<ls, namely: Ihe seamless 

 liand and the ojien hand. The seamless hand is usually made 

 of thin alumininn and is, as the name implies, made ivithout 

 a seam. Tliis l)and is placed on the sipiab's leg during the 

 Hrst six or eight da\s of its life and it rs the mark ])\ which 

 the age, parentage, etc., of the squab ma\' be told at any future 

 date. To apply this band take the toes of the squab on one 

 foot and close them together, then slip the band over the toes 

 up on to the leg. Care sliould be taken to get the band on 

 before tlie foot and leg of the squab gets too large. This band 

 should bear a serial number and ma>' also bear the initials of 

 the owner and above all the year date. On more valuable 

 specimens a band manufactured for and sold by the American 

 Pigeon Chdj or the National Pigeon Association should be 

 used as most sho\AS require all young liirds to wear these bands 

 before they will be allowed to enter competition. 



Having banded the squab a record is made immedictely of 

 the number, showing on the record entry what the numbers 

 of the parents are, the date the squab was hatched, etc. Later 

 on as the sex of the s(|ual) becomes known it is entered on 

 the records for future reference. 



