two. Numerous experienced squab raisers have experimented with both breeds, and hold to about the same view. The Homer is decidedly a more intelligent bird and can be taught to race, which of course is impossible in the case of the Carneaux as they possess but little, if any, Homing instinct.
Complete failure has unfortunately been the only reward of the person who has attempted to profitably breed squabs from the common barn loft variety of pigeon, such as you see flying about your town and nesting in the eaves of buildings. They are quite small when compared with the Homer or Carneau and produce a small, generally dark meated, squab. Neither are they prolific. Good Homers and Carneau produce on an average about 8 pairs of squabs to every mated pair of birds per year. Common pigeons seldom if ever produce quite half that number. Common pigeons can be purchased for as little as 10 cents each. Good Homers and Carneaux are in big demand at from $2.00 to $4.00 per pair.
The writer remembers very distinctly starting into the pigeon and squab business with but one pair of good Homers in an old barn loft. Yes, and he made a success of that barn-loft venture, too, or he wouldn't now be the president and manager of one of the largest pigeon and squab plants in the country. This is said in passing to set aside the theory that an especially built pigeon house is essential to success. It's all right to have such a building, if one's means will permit, but nothing is further from the truth than to say that such a building is a positive necessity. Any kind of an old building or barn loft will suffice, if it can be so arranged as to keep out dampness, cold winds and rats. Barn lofts as a rule make fine squab houses because of the fact that they are high and, as a rule, dry. Some unused out-building of course makes a much more convenient place.
—THE AUTHOR.
