38 AMERICAN SQUAB CULTURE 



Old cocks 24 ounces; young cocks 23 ounces; old hens 23 ounces; 

 young hens 22 ounces.. However, nearly all the leading Ameri- 

 can breeders agree that the medium sized Cameaux are the 

 best, most typical and prolific of the breed. 



The Carneau is a bird of medium weight, and those of medium 

 weight are more prolific than those of extra large size. Many 

 breeders are, however, spoiling their Carneaux trying to get 

 big birds. Some have them crossed with Runts and Mdndaines, 

 because of the seeming present demand for extra large bird.s, 

 which is often the result of ignorance as to what size Carneau 

 it takes to produce twelve-pound squabs. This is all wrong, for 

 it is useless to produce a giant pigeon to the detiinient of its 



RED AND WHITE SPLASHED CARNEAUX 



breeding qualities. This demand for extra large pigeons grew 

 out of the misunderstanding of the constant urging of the pro- 

 duction of larger squabs, for until recent years the squab market 

 was being supplied with six, and eight-pound squabs. 



A pair of Cameaux that weigh thirty-two to forty ounces will 

 produce squabs averaging twelve pounds to the dozen, while 

 those weighing forty-two to forty-six ounces to the pair will 

 produce squabs averaging fourteen pounds to the dozen, and 

 even those weighing thirty-two to thirty^eight ounces to the pair 

 will produce squabs averaging ten pounds to the dozen; the 

 weight of the squabs, however, depending on the feeding quality 

 of the parents, as well as their size and the quality and variety 

 of the feed. 



