CHAPTER IX. 



Causes of Chilled Eggs and Other Losses 



The price for squabs has always ruled high during 

 the winter months, when every breeder desires to have 

 as large a production as possible. If he can secure 

 this, the margin of profit is so much greater than dur- 

 ing other seasons of the year, when prices rule low. 

 All experienced breeders take very careful pains to see 

 that there are no causes which might lessen the num- 

 ber of squabs at this season. It is a fact, however, that 

 in many breeding establishments very severe losses 

 occur during cold weather from chilled eggs and 

 squabs dying in the nests. 



In our neighborhood these losses have sometimes as- 

 sumed large proportions. One flock of 500 pairs, 

 during January, 1904, lost 144 eggs, 64 squabs and 

 marketed only 166 squabs. In another flock of the 

 same size as few as 24 squabs were ready for market 

 in one week, and seldom more than 40. A third simi- 

 lar flock suffered a loss during one week in February 

 of 106 eggs and squabs, while the losses for several 

 previous weeks had likewise been large. 



During January, 1904, with a flock of the same num- 

 ber as mentioned above, we sent to market 303 squabs. 

 Our losses were only 16 during that month. During 

 this period, squabs were netting at least 90 cents a pair, 

 after deducting expressage and 5 per cent commission. 

 The feed bills for these flocks, when fed in the best 

 manner, would amount to about $18 a week. Hence, 

 20 pairs of squabs at 90 cents a pair were necessary to 

 meet that expense. This fourth flock, with 303 squabs, 



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