238 AMERICAN SQUAB CULTURE 



the pigeons to put their heads through between the slats and 

 reach the water easily. 



Provide a water faucet at one end of the trough so that the 

 water will drip into the trough. The trough being "V" shaped 

 will make it possible for birds to drink with a very small 

 amount of water in the trough. 



Where city or running water is not at hand, a keg or a barrel 

 with a faucet can be placed at one end of the trough and in this 

 way the water will be kept cool and not become foul by stand- 

 ing in the nest rooms. It will save time and trouble in filling 

 drinking fountains or pans. It is best to run the trough along 

 the shady side of the squab house and if necessary to keep out 

 th(: dust or dirt, a slanting cover hinged on to the house even 

 wi th the top of the openings and allowed to drop down over the 

 trough. This cover will also shade the water if the trough is 

 on the sunny side. 



FEED BOXES 



If the Eggleston plan of squab house is used, with an aisle 

 in front of the nest rooms, the feed boxes should be made to fit 

 the spaces on each side of the doors that lead to nest rooms. 

 See slatted space for that purpose in nest room drawing. The 

 slats, you will notice, are nailed on up and down, and are far 

 enough apart to permit the birds to feed through them. 



Peed boxes should be made 5 inches wide, 2^/^ inches high 

 in front and 6 inches high at back. It is best to make these 

 boxes out of one-half inch lumber, the front at least should be 

 made out of thin lumber, so the birds can reach the grain easily. 

 (See "Aisle Feed Box" drawing.) Two feed boxes should be 

 made for each nest room, one for each side of the door; other- 

 wise there will not be enough room for the birds to eat all at 

 once, and the first ones to the feed box at feeding time will eat 

 the choice grain, and those that are crowded away will get the 

 leavings. 



If feed boxes are required to be. placed in the center of the loft, 

 the best method is to make the boxes 6 inches wide, 3 inches 

 high and about i feet long, with a revolving roller above the 

 box to keep the birds from perching on the box and fouling the 

 grain. The roller can be made out of one-inch square strip or 



