28 SQUABS FOR PROFIT 



of the nests when it is desirable to clean them. Each 

 section or pen contains two sets of nest boxes, one 

 against each partition. If constructed as shown in 

 Fig. 13, there will be 46 nests on each side, or 92 in all. 

 It is desirable to have an extra number of nests rather 

 than crowd the birds too much. This makes ample 

 room for resting places when some of the birds are 

 in their nests. Some birds will persist in building 

 their nests on the floor. In such cases it is best to 

 humor them and make no attempt to compel them to 

 nest elsewhere, unless they accept their new quarters 

 after a trial or two. 



We do not recommend the use of individual perches 

 within the houses. In our experience, we have seen 

 no advantage from them. It is desirable to visit each 

 house every night before retiring and see that every- 

 thing is all right. The birds will, almost invariably, 

 be found each in a separate box ; the same birds in the 

 same box every night. They are thus secluded and 

 do not soil each other nor foul the floors as they do 

 when occupying individual perches outside the boxes. 

 We do not recommend running boards within the pen ; 

 they are a disadvantage. A cock inclined to play the 

 boss can chase away other birds and keep the whole 

 flock in an uproar, if running boards are provided. 

 Where each bird has a separate resting place, little 

 opportunity is given for fighting, and if it be attempted 

 the bird within the box has a great advantage over the 

 one outside and soon compels the retreat of its ad- 

 versary. 



Nesting pans. — We advise the use of small earthen- 

 ware nesting pans, such as are shown in Fig. 7. Fre- 

 quently a pair of birds will refuse to use them and per- 

 sist in building on the floor of the nest box. In such 



