348 POULTBY CULTtTRB 



Pigeons are most valuable as squab producers from 2 to 6 

 years old. The small varieties mate and breed at 5 to 6 

 months old. Squabs hatched in April, May, and June, when 

 their value on the market is low, make good breeders. 



If a breeding pigeon dies its mate should be removed from 

 the pen and a new mate provided. 



For further information on feeding of pigeons see Chapter 

 IV. 



Pigeons are allowed 4 square feet of floor space per pair. It 

 is^essential that the house be dry and that the food and water 

 be of good quality. 



For strictly squab raising the Homers perhaps prove the 

 most prolific, and hence most profitable. Other breeds used 

 for this purpose are the White King, Runt, Maltese Hen, and 

 Carneaux. The average weight should be 8 or 9 pounds per 

 dozen. 



A HOME-MADE FEEDER AND EXERCISER 



The illustration (Fig. 115) shows a home-made feeder and 

 exerciser that can be raised or lowered as needed to fit the size 

 chickens it is to be used for. 



Any tinsmith can make one, large or small, as desired. It 

 should be made of galvanized iron and will last indefinitely. 

 The barrel must be round and shaped like a bottle. A repre- 

 sents a wire on which is hooked a spring (D), the same as used 

 to hold up a canary bird cage; B represents a round tin case, so 

 that the corn cannot choke the spring and stop it from working; 

 C is the support to keep the case in its place; E is& piece of tia, 

 shaped like a funnel, and hooked to spring H, and should be of 

 the same material as sieves are made, while G is wire-wrapped 

 around to keep it in place so that it will hold corn, which is 

 seen by the birds, who pick at it, thus releasing the funnel 

 from the barrel-neck which lets out the corn. The spring 

 brings back the funnel to the barrel-neck again, thus stopping 

 the corn till the birds pick again. 



OTHER RATIONS 



The following rations for chick feeding are recommended 

 by the various experiment stations. Missouri Experiment 

 Station : 



