FARM POULTRY PROBLEMS 151 



while the birds are in sight, and two or three eggs should always 

 be left in the nest, or the birds will probably seek a new one. 



Guinea-hens seldom become broody till late in the season. 

 It is better to hatch early under hens. A medium-sized hen 

 can cover as many as eighteen eggs. The eggs have a strong 

 shell and are seldom broken in incubation. The young are 

 strong on their legs and can run around when only a few hours 

 old. Feed the same as baby chicks. 



Guineas are prolific layers and have a tendency to hide their 

 nests in the field. The young are very wild and should be 

 confined in a yard for a while. The Guinea eggs are of good 

 flavor, but small in size. Guinea-hens are not good mothers, 

 as they wander in the wet, dewy grass in the early morning. 



PIGEONS 



Pigeons breed by pairing off. Only those breeding should 

 be kept in the breeding loft. A separate compartment should 

 be arranged for the balance of the birds. 



Racing Homers. — The races consist of distances of 100 

 to 1000 miles. The old bird races are flown in the spring and 

 the young bird races in the fall. The birds are put through a 

 regular course of training. Then are kept flying around the 

 loft one hour night and morning, besides being taken on 

 numerous short training spins from 15 to 75 miles. This 

 course of training begins about a month before the first regular 

 race is scheduled. 



Two lofts exactly alike are maintained. One is used for the 

 race team and the other for the breeders. 



Racing pigeons should be fed good sound grain, as much as 

 they will eat up clean twice a day. Corn, buckwheat, kaffir 

 corn and Canada peas in equal parts makes a good feed. 



The pigeons must be given clean drinking water in such a 

 way that they cannot dirty it. They should have a bath 

 pan set before them every two or three days, but it should be 

 left before them only an hour or so, as they would dirty it and 

 then drink the water. 



Squab Raising. — 'Probably at the present time the improved 

 Homer Carnedux and white King are regarded as the leading 



