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Show LEAVES' rom YTl Jt) HARRIET MAY WILSON j Raising of Squabs Statistics show that the demand for squabs is on the increase, especially espe-cially in large cities. Probable income in-come from a few pairs of pigeons may be estimated by using local market prices, assuming an annual production of at least 12 squabs for each mated pair, and allowing for a food consumption by each pair of about 100 pounds. CHOOSING THE BREED. The most popular breeds of pigeons pi-geons for squab production are those which produce good-sized squabs with light-colored skin. A recent publication from the U. S. department depart-ment of agriculture, commenting upon this demand, says: "The King, Carneau, Mondaine, and giant Homer Ho-mer are good producers of squabs of this type, and carefully selected stock of these breeds should produce at least 12 squabs per pair per year, which should weigh from 14 to 24 ounces each, live weight, at 26 days of age." It is advisable to begin the squab-growing squab-growing enterprise with young mated mat-ed pairs, bought from a reliable breeder who has kept accurate records rec-ords of his stock and who will guarantee guar-antee both the age and sex. HATCHING AND REARING The period of incubation for pigeon pi-geon eggs is 17 days. The hen lays an egg one day, skips one day, then lays another egg. Both the male and the female take turns brooding the eggs and feeding the young. Since the female frequently lays another an-other setting of eggs when the first squabs are but two or three weeks old, leaving their care to the male, it is necessary to provide double nests for each pair. If she is permitted per-mitted to lay in the old nest, the developing squabs will inevitably disturb dis-turb the incubation of the new eggs. FEEDING It must not be assumed that any good poultry feed will do for pigeons. pi-geons. The feeding of pigeons is radically different from the feeding of any other type of poultry. For instance, no mash or green feed is included in a pigeon ration; instead, it consists entirely of whole grains. A suitable pigeon feed is as follows: Parts by weight Whole yellow corn 35 Kafir or milo maize 20 Cowpeas 20 Hard red wheat 15 Oat groats 5 Hempseed 5 100 It is absolutely necessary, also, to supply the pigeons with a suitable mineral mixture as a source of calcium cal-cium and phosphorus, to supply salt, and to provide both grinding and egg-shell materials. Such a mineral min-eral mixture may properly be as follows: Per cent of each Medium-sized, crushed oyster shell 40 Limestone or granite grit 35 Medium-sized, hardwood charcoal 10 Ground bone 5 Ground limestone 5 Salt 4 Venetian red (supplying necessary neces-sary iron) 1 100 This mineral mixture, kept slightly slight-ly moist, should be kept in a hopper where the pigeons have constant access ac-cess to it. In addition, a supply of fresh, clean water must be constantly constant-ly provided. WHEN TO MARKET As a rule, squabs are ready to market at the age of 26 days, although al-though squabs from very large breeds may require a day or two longer. They are ready for market when the under side of the wing is fully feathered. They must then be sold at once, as, after that point of development, they begin to lose their tender baby fat and to become hard of flesh. SANITATION It is of the utmost importance to keep pens and yards clean. Houses should be dry, clean, well-ventilated, and free from drafts. The floors should be covered with sand or gravel grav-el about one inch deep and the droppings must be raked off frequently. fre-quently. The pens should be cleaned once a week. Twice a year the entire en-tire house should be thoroughly cleaned, including scraping floors and nests and washing them with ,:ot lye water. The whole interior should be sprayed with .a disinfectant. disinfec-tant. For important information concerning breeds of pigeons, types of houses to construct, con-struct, preparing squabs for market, etc.. send five cents to Superintendent of Documents. Docu-ments. Washington. D. C. asking tor Farmers' Bulletin No. 684. CHICKEN LICE In recent years, nicotine sulfate has been very successfully used in the war against chicken lice. It should be applied to the entire upper up-per surface of the perches, with a brush, about a half hour before the hens go to roost. The fumes, passing pass-ing upward through the feathers, suffocate the lice, causing them to come to the surface and drop off. A large percentage of the lice will be killed the first night more the second sec-ond night, and even some the third night. |