44 SQUABS FOR PROFIT 



It is the heaviest and highest priced squabs that 

 make the most dollars. Our shipments run very uni- 

 formly in this respect, but we did not do nearly so 

 well when feeding other rations than the one just 

 given. There are several breeders in our town. Three 

 of them have flocks approximately the same size as 

 ours. They ship to the same commission house as we, 

 but often their prices average 5 to 10 cents a pair less 

 than ours. In a shipment of 100 birds, the difference 

 amounts to enough to buy considerable feed. 



Pure water necessary. — Care must be exercised 

 in providing the purest water for the birds. No 

 water should be used unless its purity is unquestioned. 

 The fountain from which the birds drink must be of 

 such design as will prevent the droppings from foul- 

 ing the supply. The round galvanized fountains, with 

 separate reservoir and basin, are faulty because they 

 furnish too much space for droppings. We use two- 

 gallon stone or glazed earthen fountains with a single 

 lip or cup, as shown in Fig. 18. 



The earth surface of the fly must be kept smooth 

 and free from holes, so that water cannot remain in 

 pools after rains. Pigeons are very fond of drinking 

 from such pools. Hence, they will get foul water if 

 permitted to do so. They are also fond of snow. 

 Because we believe snow fosters diarrhea, we shovel 

 it from the flies as soon as it has fallen. This also pre- 

 vents the formation of pools. 



The place to feed. — The only safe place for giving 

 feed and water to the birds is inside the pens. The 

 feeding trough is 6 feet long, 12 inches wide and 21-2 

 inches deep, in the clear. The reason for feeding in- 

 side the pen is obvious. The pen and the trough are 

 always dry. The feed has no chance of spoiling or 



