FEEDING METHODS 571 



Cleanliness is the slogan in pigeon raising, the same as in 

 keeping any form of livestock. An abundant supply of drinking 

 water must be kept before the birds at all times, and it must be 

 pure and fresh. All food must be placed before the birds in a 

 wholesome condition, and they must have grit, oyster shells 

 and charcoal, also salt. Fountains in which the pigeons cannot 

 bathe are best for drinking vessels, while a galvanized iron pan 

 three or four inches deep and about twenty inches in diameter 

 makes a good bath pan. Baths are usually furnished about three 

 times a week, and except at these times the pans are removed. 



Feeding. — Many varieties of grains are used in feeding pigeons. 

 A good grain ration may be made from the following: equal 

 parts by weight of cracked corn (sifted), hard red wheat, kafir 

 corn and Canada peas, with a small quantity, perhaps ten per 

 cent, of hemp and millet seed added during the molting season. 

 Canada peas are expensive, but for best results they seem to be 

 indispensable, especially during the breeding season. They 

 seem to take the place of green feed. Other grains which may 

 be added to the ration are peanuts, which are used to some 

 extent in place of Canada peas, hulled oats, Egyptian corn, 

 barley, cowpeas, and milo maize. In addition to these a small 

 amount of stale bread, rape, rice, vetch and sunflower seed may 

 be fed for variety. Lentils are sometimes fed as a tonic to 

 breeding birds during the molting period. 



The grain may be fed on the floor of the pen, in troughs or 

 kept before the birds in hoppers. It is not well to feed the grain 

 outdoors on the ground for fear that it may become moldy and 

 sour. 



The young of pigeons are fed by the parent birds on a thick, 

 creamy mixture, called pigeon milk, which is secreted in the 

 crops of the pigeons. The squabs are usually fed shortly after 

 the grown birds have eaten, consequently great care should be 

 exercised not to disturb the breeders at this time. In fact, all 

 the work about the pens should be accomplished in a quiet, 

 orderly manner, and in as few visits as possible, for pigeons are 

 easily alarmed. It- is poor judgment to enter the lofts at night. 



