564 COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



mon origin and, therefore, not worth much as squab-producers. 

 Common pigeons are not so proHfic, and they produce small 

 squabs of poorer quality. In consequence, the average value of 

 pigeons in the Middle West and in the South is only from fifteen 

 to twenty-five cents apiece. Compared with the prices received 

 by reliable specialty breeders, the foregoing figures are insignifi- 

 cant. If a little more attention was paid to these general farm 

 flocks, and a fresh supply of properly bred stock was introduced, 

 they could easily be converted into a profitable side line. 



The squab is a young pigeon just before it leaves the nest, 

 and is considered quite a delicacy. It makes a delicate food for 

 invalids, and is used to replace the supply of game, notably the 

 quail. There is a fairly uniform demand for squabs in the large 

 cities, and they bring from two dollars to six dollars per dozen, 

 depending on quality and the season of the year. 



Weights of squabs run from six to eighteen pounds to the 

 dozen, with nine pounds as a good average. Four to six weeks, 

 depending upon the variety, the stamina of the flock, and the 

 care they receive, is the time required to bring squabs to market- 

 able size. When the down disappears from the head and they 

 are fully feathered under the wings, these are indications of the 

 correct time for killing. At this stage they are plumpest and 

 heaviest. If allowed to pass this period their fat decreases, and 

 the flesh that was once tender becomes hardened. They soon 

 learn the use of their wings and are likely to leave the nest. 



There is a feeling that squabs must be kept stuffed with food 

 from hatching time until they are ready for market. It is mar- 

 velous the quantities of food they can consume without ill effects 

 from lack of exercise. They just sit contentedly in the nest, 

 while the parent birds feed patiently and faithfully. 



Varieties. — ^There are a great many varieties of pigeons, and 

 though all will give squabs, only a few breeds aie used exten- 

 sively for squab culture. Of these the Homer was generally 

 considered the most desirable variety. See Fig. 337. It is the 

 popular standard breed, hardy, prolific and of fair size. Lately 

 it is being supplanted by the Carneaux. See Fig. 338. Several 



