Identifier: CAT31100926 (find matches)
Title: Squab raising
Year: 1915 (1910s)
Authors: Lee, Alfred R.,
Subjects: Pigeons Columbidae
Publisher: Washington, D.C. : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

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usefiuness, or asurplus of male birds. Both the age and the sex of pigeons arc hard 4 FARMERS^ BULLETIN 684. to determine by easual observation, whicli forees the buyer to dependlarj2:ely on the sellers word. There is a great differenee in the value of pigeons as squab pro-dueers, even when of the same variety, making it advisable to selectthe birds individually for their prolifieaey and vitahty, for thequahty and size of their squabs, and their abihty properly to feed andrear offspring. Dark-eolored skins, legs, or beak indicate poorquahty ot flesh and should be avoided by selecting birds for breedingwhich have white or pinkish-white skin and light-colored legs. Pigeons arc most valuable as squab producers when from 2 to 6years of age, although many will breed until they are about 8 yearsold. The small vaneties mate and breed at 5 to 6 months, and thelarger ones at 8 to 9 months. It is advisable either to buy matedpigeons which are from 2 to 3 years old or to secure young birds 6 to
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KiG. 3.—White Runt (female). 8 weeks old and mate them at the proper age. Squabs which are tobe saved for breeding should be banded before they leave the nestsand a record kept of their breeding. They are usually removedfrom the breeding pen after they are able to fly about and get theiro^vn feed. A catching net or bag made of large-mesh cotton netting,with the mouth or top about 18 inches in diameter, is very useful forcatching the pigeons. Squabs hatched in April, May, and June makegood breeders, while their value on the market is comparativelysmall at that time of the year. MATING. Pigeons usually mate in pairs and remain constant through life,although the mating may be changed if desired. The presence of un-mated pigeons (especially males) in the pigeon loft is a source of SOtTAB BAIBIKG. 5 mucli trouble and usually prevents profitable results, therefore it isvery essential that all birds in the breeding pens be mated. Pigeonsarc usually mated at from 5 to 9 months of age. ThereCAT31100926

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