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Buckwheat. 



Buckwheat is an excellent article for pigeon food, but it is 

 to be used only in Winter months. It is a rich, heatening grain 

 and not adapted for hot weather. It has a tendency to produce 

 white meat in squabs when dressed. An occasional handful in 

 Summer will do no harm, but to feed it regular, as some do, 

 it will do great harm. Never mix it with corn; always with 

 wheat. I had a friend who fed wheat, corn and buckwheat, 

 mixed for Summer food; and in a few weeks after feeding this 

 mixture he was out of the business. His birds died like flies. I 

 attributed the cause to the mixture. To prove it to him I fed 

 one pen of my own the same mixture and lost several fine birds 

 after the first feed only. I did not feed any more of it; I was 

 convinced. It would be imsafe to feed it in connection with 

 corn, even in Winter. Corn and buckwheat do not agree with 

 birds, if it be mixed. 



Corn. 



Corn is used more extensively in the pigeon business than 

 any other grain, simply because it is cheap. In fact, I know of 

 some birds that get nothing but corn from one year to another, 

 but this is very foolish. Corn is exceedingly rich in starch and 

 contains a considerable amount of fats. Hence it is very heating. 

 It should never be fed mixed, but always alone. I prefer cracked 

 corn to whole corn ; for in the feeding process, which the parents 

 go through, the young can swallow it with comfort. If whole 

 corn, of the large grain variety be fed, there will always be some 

 squabs unable to swallow it and choke to death. Owing to 

 corn's heating qualities, it should be fed sparingly during warm 

 weather. I feed it (one meal) every other night during summer. 

 This is amply sufficient, as they do not care so much for it in 

 Summer. In Winter they require more corn ; then I feed it 

 every night. Never feed it during the morning, for at night they 

 require more heat, and this supplies them with it. 



KafBr Com. 



This is a new variety of corn, has a small kernel, equally 

 as small as pop-corn, and has the same properties as Indian corn. 

 It is relished by the pigeons and is a wholesome food. However, 

 Its high price prevents its use e.xtensively for squab raising 



