American squab culture; a practical work on squab culture covering every phase of the raising, housing and marketing of squabs

Front matter

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A PRACTICAL WORK ON SQUAB CULTURE COVERING EVERY PHASE or THE RAISING, HOUS- ING AND MARKETING OF SQUABS

BY

Preface

The purpose of this book is to furnish complete and ready information on all subjects pertaining to the raising of pigeons for profit and pleasure. For the benefit of those who desire to become familiar with squab breeding, for those who desire to go into the squab or pigeon business and for those who are in the business in any form or for any purpose.

The rapid growth of the squab industry in America, coupled with the fact that there is considerable to learn about the care and breeding of pigeons, has created a demand for a book which will furnisli complete and specific information, and intelligent explanation of the possibilities of the squab industry.

While there are many things to be learned on the subject of keeping pigeons both for pleasure and profit, much more than one would naturally believe, the knowledge is of such a nature that it can be readily grasped, provided it is sought for in a careful and systematic manner.

To read this book through as you would a novel, or story book, will give only a slight general knowledge of the subject, but if a thorough knowledge is desired, the book must be read and studied as a school textbook.

In order to get the most out of the various subjects treated herein, the reader should have had some practical experience previously or be engaged in pigeon raising at the time the book is read.

In writing on the various topics in this book, I have deemed it necessary to explain certain facts and details more than once in order to cover closely connected subjects in a general yet

6 PREFACE

compact way. Then, for the benefit of those who desire to study each specific subject, I have treated them separately under their respective heads. By this method, each article is more complete and if read separately from other articles, the most necessary information on that and kindred subjects will be obtained.

The reader will find kindred subjects grouped in the Table of Contents under sub-heads which will furnish a ready reference to all subjects contained herein.

E. H. EGGLESTON.

Chicago, Illinois.

CHAPTER I Page

The Squab Industry of America 13

Raising- Squabs for Profit 14

Squabs Can Be Raised by Almost Anyone 16

Squabs Can Be Raised Almost Anywhere 18

When to Start in the Squab Business 19

The' Increasing- Demand for Squabs 20

Pigeon Habits and Characteristics 21

CHAPTER H

The Way to Start 25

Raising- Squabs for Home Consumption 29

Raising- Pigeons -with Chickens 30

Raising- Pigeons for Pleasure 33

Ornamental Squab House for Side or Front Yard 34

CHAPTER HI

Orig-in and Development of the Carneau 35

The Proper Weig-ht for Carneaux 37

Carneaux with Slate Colored Feathers 39

Yellow Carneaux 40

AVhite Carneaux 41

Black Carneaux 45

Utility Rather Than Fancy 47

Solid Colored Carneaux 5Q

CHAPTER IV

Page

Homers 53

Giant Runts 55

Hungarians 60

Maltese 61

Swiss Mondaines 64

Polish Lynx 67

White Kings 68

Cross Breeds 71

CHAPTER V

When and How to Feed 74

What to Feed 77

Composition of Pigeon Feed 80

Table of Food Analysis 85

Grains and Seeds 86

Feeding Bread to Pigeons 89

AVhat Pigeon Milk Is 90

The High Cost of Feed 91

CHAPTER VI

Grit, Sand and Gravel 92

Charcoal 93

Oyster Shell ' 94

Salt 94

Sulphate of Iron 95

Drinking Water lor Pigeons 96

Bathing 98

CHAPTER VII

CARE OF PENS, BANDING, NESTING MATERIAL 101

Care of Squab Plant 101

Care of Fly Pens 102

How to Band 102

CHAPTER VIII

Page

ENEMIES OF THE SQUAB PLANT 107

Lice, Mites and Other Vermin 107

Cats, Rats and Mice 110

Thieves and Bad Boys Ill

Sparrows, Hawks and Owls Ill

CHAPTER IX

MOULTING AND COLOR BREEDING 113

Moulting- 113

Explanation of Feather Coloring 114

How to Breed Yellow, Dun or Silver Colored Pigeons 116

Inbreeding 119

CHAPTER X

General Remarks 121

Roup and Colds 122

"Going Light" 123

Sore Eyes 124

Lumps on Wings 126

Sore Feet 126

Mud Balls 127

Simple Remedies 127

Feeding "Weak or Sick Pigeons 130

Feeding Squabs by Hand 130

Helpful Remedies 132

CHAPTER XI

How Pigeons Mate 135

How to Tell Male from Female 139

The Growth of a Squab 141

Anatomy of the Pigeon 144

How to Keep an Equal Number of Males and Females 148

What to Do with Odd Cocks I49

Page

Best Method to Improve the Quality of a Flock 149

Selection of Youngsters for Breeding Purposes 150

CHAPTER XII

PROPER CARE OF SQUABS AND YOUNGSTERS 154

Soft Shelled Eggs 154

Barren Females 154

When But One Egg Hatches, Or, When One Squab Dies 155

How to Tell the Period of Incubation 156

When Both Squabs Die Before Three Days Old 158

One Squab Smaller Than the Other 159

Old Birds That Abandon Their Eggs 159

Squabs That Leave the Nest Too Soon 1 jO

When to Remove Squabs From Nest Room Kil

How to Care for Squabs After They Leave the Nest 1G2

When Pigeons Get Old 1G4

Infertile Eggs 16G

CHAPTER XHI

RAISING PIGEONS FOR EXHIBITION PURPOSES 1G7

Value of Raising Show Birds 167

How, When and Where to Exhibit 168

Raising and Selling Squab Breeding Stock 169

Raising Pigeons to a Standard 172

CHAPTER XIV

PREPARING SQUABS FOR MARKET 179

General Appearance of Product 179

How to Kill and Pick Squabs 1 8(1

Picking Squabs by Use of Paraffin 181

Shipping Dressed Squabs 182

Shipping Squabs to Market 18^

■ Shipping Squabs a Long Distance 184

How to Ship Live Pigeons 185

How to Cook and Serve Squabs 186

Educating the Customer to Good Squabs and Prices 188

CHAPTEB XV

Page

Squab Houses I have Seen 191

Speed and Economy Vs. Old Fashioned Methods 200

The Kind of a Squab House to Build 200

How to Build a One or Many Unit Squab House 205

Squab Houses for Small Plants 210

Squab Houses for Large Plants 210

Preparing Ground for Squab Plant 212

How to Build a Squab Hovise 215

Aisle-In-Front Plan 215

How to Construct Overhead Exit Leading from

Nest Room to Fly Pen 217

How to Build a Fly Pen 218

How to MaKo Wire Door Frame and Gate 222

C.MAPTEH X\ I

Eggleston Double Nest System 224

How to Build Eggleston Double Nests 227

Light and Air for Squab Houses 231

Collapsible Mating Coops 232

How to Build a Bath Trough 234

How to Supply Drinking Water for Nest Rooms in

Southern or Warm Climate 237

Feed Boxes 238

How to Make a Feed Box 239

Double Deck Feed Boxes 242

How to Build Feed Hoppers 242

How to Make Grit Hoppers 244

The Eggleston Nest Material Rack 245

CHAPTER XVII

MANAGEMENT AND BOOKKEEPING 247

Methods of Management 247

How to Dream the Maximum Squab Yield 248

Page

Bookkeeping 249

Causes of Failure 250

Do's and Don'ts for Squab Breeders 252

CHAPTER XVIII

FANCY PIGEONS 255

Characteristics of Different Varieties 255

Raising Fancy Pigeons 256

Mating Fancy Pigeons 257

Developing Fancy Pigeons 257

CHAPTER XIX

Care of Common Pigeons 259

How and When to Feed and Water Pigeons That Fly Out 260

How to Construct Nesting Places for Pigeons That Fly Out 261

Outdoor House for Pigeons That Fly at Liberty 265

How to Keep Pigeons That Fly Out From Leaving Home 268

Roosting Places For Young Pigeons That Fly Out 269

CHAPTER XX

HOW TO SUCCEED 271

Learn Your Business 271

Start Right 272

Close Attention 272

Details Are Important 27 2

Make Work Easy 273

Love Your Work 273

INDEX 275

CHAPTER I WHY RAISE SQUABS?

THE SQUAB INDUSTRY OF AMERICA

From time immemorial pigeons have been kept in a domesticated state during whicli time many of them have served tlie purpose of furnishing the tables of mankind with wholesome and nutritious food but, it has been left for American ingenuity to put the rearing of squabs in large numbers upon a coinmercial basis.

Different persons have claimed the honor of this achievement and your author will not attempt to say who is the real founder of the industry. Squab raising is only in its infancy and as the requirements of meat production in America is an ever present one, this work is written in the hope that some new light may be shed upon this subject.

Everybody engaged in pigeon raising, whether they keep a pair of common pigeons in the back yard, or breed pigeons for pleasure or for racing, or own a squab plant, large or small, are more or less interested and come under the head of pigeon raisers or squab breeders.

. In dealing with this question, I shall try to treat it along the line of economy in time and expense, and to make it as instructive as possible.

While the various subjects of interest to squab breeders will be my chief topic, pigeons are pigeons, and consequently there are many methods which apply equally to the fancier and the squab breeder, so I will give these common points due consideration as I go along.

RAISING SQUABS FOR PROFIT

Is there money in squabs? This is usually the first question that flashes across our mind when we first learn of the industry, and again the question is first asked when we contemplate entering the Inisiness. Even those actually engaged in a small or irregular way often ask of themselves: Is there money in squabs?

For the benefit of all interested, I will give a synopsis of the l)ossibilities of the squab business, and some facts and figures \\iiich should convince every "doubting Thomas" that money can be made raising squabs. Almost any industry can be

GROUP OF BELGIAN CARNEAUX figured out with pencil and a piece of paper to meet the requirements of a skeptical mind, and for that reason I will not undertake to figure the profits of the business from an assumed basis. I will give the cost of breeders; the cost of equipment; how much it takes to feed and care for squab producers; the number of squabs an average pair will produce annually under normal conditions; and the average market value of squabs in the various sections of the United States. With these facts one can make his own calculations, taking into consideration his locality, market facilities, the number of birds he expects to handle, and the amount of time he exi)ects to devote to th(^ business. While there are thousands of people throughout the

WHY RAISE SQtJABS? 15

United States making money raising squabs, there are many who are not succeeding, and some who have no knowledge of whether they are making or losing money.

Belgian Carneaux are conceded to be, good, average all-around squab producers. Therefore, I will take this breed as a standard from which to figure profit and loss.

The first item of expense to be reckoned in squab raising is ground space. If a squab plant is built in the country, naturally the ground space is worth but little. If it is built on the back end of a lot, it is also a small item, but if built on a lot purchased for that purpose, a fair interest on the value of the portion of the lot used must be added annually to expense.

Good Carneaux from a reliable breeder can be purchased for about $5 a pair. House room, fly pen, nest boxes and other equipment, suitable for the average American climate, will cost for lumber and labor about $1.70 a pair, provided a house is planned sufficient for as many as 160 pairs; less than that number the building would cost more, proportionately up to $3.00 a pair. This is based upon the loft, fly pen, and nest box system described in this book, and it is firmly believed that the houses and buildings described herein will be as cheap as any. Forty pairs of squab breeders will do well in one room, 8 by 10, feet, with fly pen 8 by 12 feet, making a total space of 8 by 26 feet, counting a 4-foot aisle. It will cost to feed a pair of Carneaux for one year, including their squabs, until killing age, $1.80 or less.

One man can, with good equipment and convenient arrangements care for 2,000 pairs of birds, with the services of one extra man or two extra boys or girls to help pick on killing days, so the proportionate annual expense of caring for squab breeders will be about 25 cents per pair, in excess of feed and housing.

The breeding life of a pair of Carneaux is easily six years, so one-sixth of the purchase price of the breeders should l)e charged off annually, and it is also a good plan to charge off 10% of the cost price of buildings and equipment annually, although buildings used for squab purposes will last a long time if painted regularly and properly cared for.

Taking all the above into consideration, and allowing an extra percentage for waste and other leakages, the expense will run less than $2.50 a year per pair. With ordinary care and treatmerit, a pair of Carneaux will easily average 16 squabs a year, which will bring on any market, the year around, $5.00 a dozen.

An economical person will be enabled to reduce the above expense. With careful and systematic attention, a pair can be made to produce a larger number annually; with a little good judgment and effort used in the selling end, squabs can be sold for more than $5.00 a dozen. These are facts that have been demonstrated over and over again, by actual experience and by tests, and can be depended upon to be correct. With this information it will be an easy matter for one to calculate how much he can count on making from each pair of birds, provided he has good breeders, properly housed and cared for, and a market.

If squabs are sold to a private trade, hotels, clubs, or shipped to some commission merchant in New York or the large cities, they will bring more than $5.00 a dozen, but I have used this figure as a minimum amount that good squabs will bring in almost any market.

Does it pay to raise squabs, can be answered in fewer words than the above. There is an unlimited demand for squabs at a fair price in America. Good squab breeders can be purchased at a fair price. The right kind of breeders are very prolific, healthy and easy to handle, and the expense of feed, care and interest on investment for any number of squab breeders v/ill not equal the amount received from the sale of their squabs. This is being proved by the hundreds of breeders daily, all over the country, but as the price of feed, method of handling and price of squabs vary, there cannot be a fixed percentage of profit determined upon.

SQUABS CAN BE RAISED BY ALMOST ANYONE

Lawyers, bankers, doctors, merchants, farmers, laboring men, in fact men of all walks of life, and women and children can raise squabs in large or small quantities if the proper interest is taken.

Contrary to the average opinion, squabs can be raised profitably in the towns and cities of America, as well as in the villages and country, but not on as large a scale unless a place is provided in the suburbs. A small backyard is sufficient space to accommodate quite a number of squab breeders.

It only takes a ground space of 8x24 feet to comfortably house and care for 30 to 40 pairs of squab breeders. This much space can easily be squeezed out of almost any city lot without interfering with the ordinary use of the lot. Any housewife or a boy of the family can, with an hour or two of time each day, devoted to the industry, care for 40 to 80 pairs of breeders, without neglecting other duties and, in fact,' most people will be greatly benefited by the outdoor exercise and diversity that would come through such a pursuit.

There is always a local market that can be supplied with a few squabs, including hotels, restaurants, hospitals, or a private trade which will more than consume the squab output of a small plant without much effort on the part of the owner. At

FOUR UNIT SQUAB HOUSE AND FLY PEN FRAME COMPLETE READY FOR COVERING VV^ITH WIRE

the present high cost of all meats, it would be profitable for almost any family to raise as many squabs as they could consume; in all cases in addition thereto, enough squabs can be sold to more than buy the feed and defray other expenses, so that it is easily possible for a family to reduce their meat bill materially by keeping a few squabs in their own back yard. Almost any mechanic or laborer, clerk, business or professional man, can spare enough time daily to personally take care of 50 to 100 pairs of squab breeders, which will not only prove profitable, but furnish recreation as well.

In the winter, when the days are short, a trustworthy neighbor boy can generally be found who can be employed for a small sum to feed and water the breeders provided the owner leaves home before or after dark, and a neighbor boy can be secured for a nominal sum to come once or twice a week the year round for the purpose of cleaning, whitewashing or doing similar work.

Squab raising or caring for a squab plant is really a pleasant occupation, especially for those who like to "keep busy." There is always something to do and the work is not unpleasant.

SQUABS CAN BE RAISED ALMOST ANYWHERE

Whether one lives in the north, south, oast or west — in a city, a village or in the country, squabs can be raised profitably with the proper care and attention.

There are no offensive odors from a squab plant, and the l)ir(ls do not make enough noise to bother tiie nearest neighbors. Therefore, there can be no serious objection on the part of the neighbors to squabs being raised near them. It is tiiie tliat pigeons do a lot of cooing, and while it sounds loud at close range, the noise does not carry very far, aud cannot be heaid to any extent, 50 feet from a S([uab plant. A large i)huit can be easily maintained in the suhui'hs in any town or city aboul as profitably as in the country.

There are some advantages gained ])y having a squab plant in the coimtry, that is, on a farm, l)ut theio are other advantages in a town or city squab plant, and in some respects one oftsets the other. As an example, ground space in the country is no item. Some special feeds can be raised to an advantage and other foods, can often be purchased in the country cheaper than in town, but on the other hand, the conveniences of city water, the advantage of a close market and shipping facilities will offset many of the farm advantages and conveniences.

I have often heard people make the remark that if they lived in the country, where they could raise their own feed, they would go into the squab business extensively. They did not stop to figure that there was very little advantage to be gained by such a method, for the reason that all kinds of grain and pigeon feed can be sold or purchased at the market price, and if one raises his own feed U has only a market value. That ivht raise squabs? 19

is to say, if one raises squabs and grain, the amount of grain that he feeds his birds should be cJiarged up against his birds, and credited to grain, for he coukl have sold his grain on the market, and taken the same money and bought grain from a neighbor with which to feed his squabs. The two businesses, therefore, are separate industries. Of course, if grain is used on a fami where it is raised, the expense of delivery is eliminated, and it is possible to raise a particular kind especially for pigeons to an advantage over purchasing it, on account of freight charges and middleman's profit.

One of the greatest assets of a squab plant located on a farm is the fact that a farmer could in many cases use an extra liand if he was raising squal)s as a part of his business; while without the squab plant he would not have sufficient work to justify an extra hand, and the man with just a squab plant would also not have sufficient ^^■ork to justify an extra iiand. As an exani})le, cliickens re([uire careful attention in the morning and night, especially during the liatching and brooding season. Pigeons can be cared for any time (hiring the day, so a chicken raiser could breed squabs to an advantage.

Pr()bal)l\' the best way for one to calculate the most suitable l)lare to raise s([uabs is to r(>ckon from his present position, and tlien change his location and vocation the smallest degree possible to enable him to em])ark in the squab industry on a scale his experience and convenience will permit, and then change his location and vocation as tlie growth of tiie squab industry demanded.

WHEN TO START IN THE SQUAB BUSINESS

Josh Billings wrote that "the time to set a hen was when the hen was ready.'' Pigeons breed the year round. There is nothing therefore to be gained in waiting for a certain time of the year to start. It seems to be natural for every person to want to undertake some outdoor work in the spring of the year. All nature seems to be awake at that period, and the human body and mind is no exception, and for that reason more people start raising squabs in the spring than any other season. I know no other reason for so doing, and there is no advantage to be gain(Hl b\' stalling one month over anotlier. Squabs bring more money in the winter than during the summer months, so if it is going to be a question of i^aismg birds for market, the fall would be as good a time as any, but if tiie start is made at any other time, the advantages of the wmter market would be enjoyed just the same. I would say therefore that the time to enter the squab business is NOW, and the place, with a few exceptions, is your present location.

THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR SQUABS

More and more the general public is learning to appreciate the true value of squabs as a food.

FANCY DRESSED SQUABS READY FOR MARKET

The rapid decrease of the supply of meat in the United States, coupled with the rapid increase of the price of meat, the former being the principal cause of the latter, is a problem that will have to be met sooner or later, or the people of America will, like Europeans, be forced to go without meat except on Sunday or rare occasions.

Our population is increasing about two million a year and the annual decrease in beef cattle, caused by the settling of the western grazing land, goes into the millions. The game in America once so plentiful is about extinct, and as time goes on these conditions will increase more rapidly and will be more noticeable each year.

Viewing the meat question and squab raising from a broader standpoint, the time is rapidly coming when large squab plants are going to be found in every section of this country, as the public learn more of the value of squab meat, its delicious flavor and its cost when comparing its nutritiousness with that of other meats, squab meat will become more and more in demand, while the squab industry has made rapid strides in America in the past few years and grown to a volume beyond the comprehension of its most enthusiastic supporters. Even during war times when the price of grain was high the squab industry continued to grow. It is in fact only in its infancy and in a few years people will wonder why squaijs were not eaten in larger numbers before. Pound for pound, there are few meats, if any, that are more palatable, nutritious and helpful to the human system than squab meat.

The leading physicians of the country are prescribing and recommending squab meat. It is strengthening and easy to digest. The old birds eat nothing but grain, the meat is rich with carbohydrates and protein. The rapid growth of a squab from an egg to a pound of meat in four weeks makes its meat tender and void of the tough indigestible cells found in other meats. The taste for squabs is not a developed one, once eaten always liked.

PIGEON HABITS AND CHARACTERISTICS

There are over 200 different varieties of pigeons, ranging in size from one-half to two pounds each.

There are four general classes of pigeons: Racing, fancy, utility and common.

Pigeons mate or pair off one female to each male.

Pigeons mate when about five to eight months old and stay mated for life unless separated.

Any male pigeon will mate with any female pigeon if shut up together or put by themselves.

Pigeons lay two eggs and th.^.n go to setting; the second egg being laid the second day after the first is laid.

It takes seventeen days' incubation for pigeon's e';:gs to liatch.

Pigeons build their own nesis, litie birds, cnri'ving the straws to the nest one by one, and placing them in order with their bills.

The male pigeon carries the nesting material to the female and she sets on the nest and arranges the straws in place.

The male, as well as the female pigeon, sets on the eggs. The male relieves the female on the nest from about 10 to 4 each day, and the female sets on the eggs the balance of the time.

PAIR OF SQUAB BREEDING HOMERS

Pigeons continue to iset on the nest for several days after the young hatch out, to keep them from chilling. This is necessary even in warm weather.

Most pigeons lay and raise young the year around, laymg again each time when their young are about two and one-half weeks old.

Pigeons feed their young by first eating grain and drinking water, then they fly to the nest and by a pumping or belching motion the feed is transferred to the crop of the young.

Until a squab is several days old, it is too young to swallow regular food, so the old birds feed them pigeon milk, a peculiar mixture that accumulates in the crops of the old birds after they have set on eggs 16 days.

Pigeon milk develops in the crop of the male hird as well as the female, although he serves less hours on the nest.

Squabs (young pigeons) clo not leave the nest until they can fly, which is from four to five weeks after hatching, when they are fully feathered and about as large as their parents.

Squabs cannot eat, and do not learn to feed themselves until after they leave the nest.

Pigeons do not roost on perches or anything round. Their feet are flat and they prefer a flat surface to sit or stand on.

CAR>TEAUX AT NIGHT

S^' AMERICAN SQUAB CULTURE

Pigeons do not eat meat, they live on grain principally, but eat a little grass, Swiss chard, clover or lettuce leaves in the spring and summer.

Pigeons do not drink like a chicken, but more like a horse. They require a great deal of clean, fresh water.

Pigeons do not scratch in the dirt like chickens, but depend on what they can find to eat on top of the ground in plain sight.

Pigeons do not dust themselves as chickens do, but take a water bath instead, like canary birds.

Pigeons shed their baby feathers when about three months old, then, like all other fowls, molt in the fall of each year, when they get an entire new coat of feathers.

Pigeons live to be 12 or 15 years old or older, but are not active producers of squabs after 8 or 10 years of age. In fact, they slow up after 6 years of age.

Chapter II Getting Started Right The Way To Start

Whether one starts in the squab business on a large or small scale depends upon the capital he has to invest, the conveniences at hand and the time he can devote to it.

There are two ways to start in the pigeon business. With a few pairs in a back yard or an immediate start with several hundred pairs, with substantial houses and ground room to run a good sized plant. If you go into the business with a few pairs, you should, as near as practical, follow the same methods, adopt the same equipment, and pay as much attention proportionately as you would if you had a large plant with several thousand birds. In this way you will establish yourself so that when your plant grows you will know just how to expand and successfully operate it.

In outlining, therefore, the way to start and the essential things to do, I will vary only where it will be necessary to explain the difference between the buildings and ground requirements for a large plant and a small one. If you are going to start with a few pairs you should first prepare a suitable place for your birds. Carefully survey the premises to determine the most practical place available, always remembering that there is a right and a wrong as well as a best way to do everything, and that this applies to the squab business whether conducted on a large or a small scale.