iMTUKTAJNT FACTS TO KNOW "J 



Inbreeding unprofitable. — Inbred birds, lacking 

 vitality, are unprofitable. This is likewise a fruitful 

 source of loss in raising squabs. If eggs are laid, 

 and the squab does not have strength enough to break 

 the shell, or if the eggs do hatch and the squabs die 

 when one or two days old, it is very evident that no 



FIG. 3 YOUNG HOMEE COCK. 



profit can be expected. Usually such cases are caused 

 by a lack of vitality in the parents. In many in- 

 stances, such troubles are directly traceable to careless 

 inbreeding. There is no remedy for a constitutional 

 lack of vitality, except the knife. 



Avoid diseased birds. — This is so plain that com- 

 ment seems unnecessary. It is hardly likely that any- 

 one would, knowingly, buy a bird affected by disease. 

 Avoid birds that crouch in a corner or those with 

 drooping head or tail. A pigeon, however, may have 



