204 PROFITABLE PIGEON BREEDING 



32. As a rule cross-bred birds are not a success for commer- 

 cial squab production. 



33. Clean your lofts once every two or three weeks and 

 sprinkle the floor with air slaked lime. 



34. A good coat of whitewash once a year is a good thing for 

 the interior of your lofts, being a good disinfectant. 



35. Any time of the year is a good time for saving youngsters 

 for breeding stock. 



36. It is essential to keep your birds properly banded. 



37. Remember that it takes properly balanced rations to 

 make healthy breeding stock and permit them to produce plump 

 squabs. • 



38. Don't be forever giving your birds medicine. 



39. Use discretion when working with your birds. 



40. If your competitor produces a better bird than you do 

 don't get discouraged but determine to do better next time. 



41. Remember that the man who argues against self-feeders 

 is, as a rule, too narrow minded to realize the advantages of 

 this system of feeding and in some cases too small to pay the 

 cost of the feeders. 



42. Never save skinny squabs for breeding stock for they 

 will never develop properly. 



43. Utility stock bred to a standard is the best for squab 

 production. 



44. To hold a i)igeon properly place the hand around and 

 over both wing butts. Never hold a pigeon by one wing or by 

 a foot. 



45. Pigeons cannot build nests without some sort of nesting 

 material; this nmst always be kept in the lofts. 



46. If a hen lays eggs that do not hatch try remating her. 



47. Never keep an odd number of birds in a loft, have only 

 mated pairs of tested workers. 



48. Do not try to economize on feed. You will cut down your 

 profits if you do this. 



