52 SQUABS FOR PROFIT 



share of some of the best grains. Experienced 

 breeders are very careful not to disturb the birds 

 at feeding time. Some breeders have houses con- 

 structed with doors at either end. In such cases, the 

 attendant feeds each lot of birds as he passes and goes 

 out the opposite door. As soon as the birds are fed 

 we lock the door. For an hour or more no one is per- 

 mitted to enter, not even the proprietors. While the 

 birds are engaged in feeding their young they should 

 not be disturbed. Unless squabs are well fed they can- 

 not be expected to develop the large, plump bodies so 

 desirable at the end of the fourth week. 



Amount of feed. — No precise rule can be given as to 

 quantity of feed necessary. Two scoopfuls, or about 

 1^2 quarts, is the normal quantity for a pen containing 

 50 pairs. It is evident, however, that when there are 

 only a few squabs in the nests, less feed will be re- 

 quired than when there are three times as many. A 

 safe guide for the quantity of feed necessary is daily 

 observation of the amount left over from the previous 

 feeding. If the trough contains some feed, slightly 

 reduce the next ration. On the other hand, if none is 

 left over increase it. 



Never enter a pen more than once at each feeding 

 time. Feed generously so that there is a full supply 

 for both squabs and parent birds. It must be remem- 

 bered that the squabs are helpless in the nests and can- 

 not get any food unless the parents bring it to them. 

 If there is a short supply furnished, the parents might 

 not go hungry more than once before they fully satis- 

 fied themselves and gave what was left, if any, to the 

 squabs. Stingy feeders will surely have skinny squabs 

 to sell. 



