SQUAB RAISING-. 
BUILDINGS. 
THE SITE. 
In selecting a site for the home of pigeons, as much care and judg¬ 
ment should be exercised as in choosing the location of one’s own 
home. An unhealthy location for man would most likely prove 
unhealthy for the birds. A damp place, or one exposed to extremes 
of heat, cold, or wind, is to be rejected. The spot selected should be 
well drained, should be facing the south or east, should be free from 
obstructions which shut out the rays of the morning sun, and be 
sheltered either by trees or buildings from the north and west winds. 
Such a place, with a shallow stream of pure running water for 
drinking and bathing—so essential to the health of pigeons—will be 
an ideal site, and will require a minimum of expense and daily work 
in caring for the stock. Of course such sites can only be obtained in 
the country. 
THE HOUSE. 
Size and capacity.—The house is as important as the site. Some 
successful breeders prefer single houses holding not more than 50 
pairs of birds; but 5 of these single houses will cost considerably 
more to build than 1 house of 5 sections accommodating 50 pairs in 
each section, and giving the same capacity as the 5 single houses. 
Again, feeding and other daity attentions to the flock require less 
time and labor in 1 large house than in 5 separate smaller houses. 
In stormy weather and in time of snow banks, this increased labor 
for separate houses is quite an item. 
In no case should a house be built for more than 250 pairs, nor more 
than 50 pairs be kept in each section. It must be so designed as to be 
well ventilated and easily kept clean, secure from attacks of mice, 
rats, and other animals, and not subject to drafts of air. 
The houses last built by the writer (fig. 1), the form of which is 
recommended, are 40 feet long and 12 feet wide, with 6 posts on each 
side, and 9 feet high to peak of roof. Along the north side a passage¬ 
way (fig. 2) 3 feet wide runs the full length, the rest of the space 
being divided by 4 partitions into 5 equal pens. These pens are sepa- 
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