CARE
17. Loft
Pigeons are housed in lofts which may be buildings or vehicles designed
and equipped for that purpose. The loft includes all the equipment,
accessories and utilities necessary for the care of pigeons (figs. 6,
7, and 8). Perches are placed on the sides of loft walls. When a pigeon
is “settled” to a loft, that loft becomes its home.
_a._ An _aviary_ is the part of the loft where pigeons can be given
sunlight. It is usually built with wire netting on the sides and roof.
_b._ The _trap_ is a specially constructed opening which permits the
pigeon to enter but not to leave the loft. When a pigeon enters the
loft this way, it is said to have “trapped.” A trap which permits the
pigeon to enter and leave at will is called an “open trap.” A landing
board is placed in front of the trap upon which pigeons alight when
about to enter the loft.
_c._ A _settling cage_ of wire which is built to fit over the roof and
landing board of the loft, is used to aid in settling and training
pigeons to trap.
18. Preparation of Loft to Receive Pigeons
The first step in preparing to receive a shipment of pigeons is to
arrange for their housing. If it is the initial stock for a loft, the
entire loft will be available. In the case of subsequent shipment,
place new stock in a separate compartment for a period of observation.
In order to anticipate arrival of birds, maintain contact with the
agency making delivery. Then proceed as follows:
_a._ Clean the loft.
_b._ In good weather keep front of the loft open so that plenty of
sunlight and air can enter.
_c._ To keep drafts out during extreme cold and windy weather, cover
openings of the loft with porous materials which will allow passage of
air and will not interfere with the camouflage appearance.
_d._ Spread a small quantity of coarse sand on the floor of the loft to
aid cleanliness and to supplement the grit.
_e._ Provide 10 percent more perching space than is necessary for the
number of incoming birds.
19. Receipt of Pigeons at Loft
To receive pigeons at a loft, proceed as follows:
_a._ Immediately upon their arrival transfer the birds to the loft from
the crates or baskets in which they were transported. The pigeons may
have completed a lengthy trip and be in comparatively poor condition
because of delays in travel or lack of proper care and attention.
_b._ Immediately after the birds have been transferred to the loft,
carefully examine and handle each pigeon, separating the healthy
from the sickly. Place the healthy birds in a compartment where they
can obtain plenty of fresh drinking water, and feed them sparingly.
Isolate the birds which appear sick until they are fully recovered.
[Illustration: _Figure 6. Stationary loft._
TL70176]
[Illustration: _Figure 7. Loft PG-46-A._
TL70177]
_c._ It is imperative that the pigeons be vaccinated against pigeon pox
if they were not vaccinated prior to shipment.
_d._ Thereafter water, feed, and provide bathing water according to
instructions in paragraphs 20 to 23, inclusive.
_e._ Make an exact inventory of the pigeons, noting band markings,
colors, special markings, and physical condition of each bird.
_f._ Become familiar with the pigeons while they are confined. Accustom
them to the presence of caretakers and to feeding at definite times.
_g._ Begin training of the new birds immediately. The longer the time
between their arrival at their new home and the beginning of their
training, the more difficult it will be for them to be trained properly.
20. Watering
_a._ The health of a pigeon depends more upon pure drinking water than
upon any other factor; therefore, keep plenty of fresh water available
at all times.
_b._ The homing pigeon does not drink like most other birds. The pigeon
places its bill into the water, and takes a long, deep draft like a
horse. For this reason, keep the depth of the water in the drinking
fountain not less than 1-1/2 inches deep. Always supply water in a
fountain or other receptacle which will prevent bathing. Fountains
PG-37-C provide excellent watering facilities for the birds and are
constructed to reduce contamination to a minimum (fig. 9).
[Illustration: _Figure 8. Loft PG-68/TB._
TL70178]
_c._ In warm weather, change the water three times a day, cleaning
the container thoroughly each time. In cool weather, twice a day may
be sufficient, provided the water can be kept clean. Water containing
impurities gives the pigeon a sour crop or acute indigestion. If a
sanitary water supply is not readily available, use drinking water
purified for troops. When it is necessary to use water of doubtful
purity, add a sufficient amount of potassium permanganate until a light
pink color is attained. Empty drinking fountains at night in cold
weather so that the water will not freeze. Having running water in the
drinking fountain is not advisable as it is usually cool and may cause
diarrhea during hot weather.
21. Feeding
[Illustration: _Figure 9. Fountain PG-37-C in loft._
TL70179]
_a._ GENERAL. The health and general physical condition of a pigeon
largely depend on the amount of food, time of feeding, and the kind of
food provided. Pigeons should not refuse food unless they have just
been fed. They will be alert, active, happy, and much more manageable
if kept a little hungry. It is easy to overfeed pigeons so that they
become sluggish and listless. Many good pigeons have been spoiled by
overfeeding. The pigeoneer should hand-feed the birds and watch them
closely while they are eating because their appetite reflects their
general health and condition. Sick birds may be discovered by their
failure to eat. Pigeons become better acquainted with the pigeoneer
through hand-feeding, and he in turn can keep them alert and under
control.
_b._ METHOD. Feed pigeons _twice_ a day during training, light feeding
in the morning and heavier in the evening. After each exercise,
training, or other flight, call the pigeons into the loft and give them
a small quantity of feed as a reward. While the pigeons are taking
their morning exercise, clean the loft and place in it a fresh supply
of grit and drinking water. Call the birds in when they have completed
their exercises, then scatter the food slowly on the sand-covered floor
as the birds enter through the trap. Scatter the feed, a handful at
a time. Wait until the pigeons have eaten nearly all the feed before
distributing another handful. The feed should be well scattered so
that individual birds do not get all of the choice grains. No harm
is done if the pigeons eat some of the sand, providing it is clean,
as sand supplements grit as an aid to digestion. There are several
reasons why pigeons should be fed only a handful at a time. If the
whole amount of grain for one feeding is thrown on the floor at once,
the actual amount needed cannot be estimated exactly. If the amount
estimated was too little, the pigeons are underfed; if the amount was
excessive, the grain not immediately consumed becomes contaminated and
may cause sickness if eaten later. Another reason for scattering feed
in small quantities is to prevent the pigeons from picking out the
kinds of grain they particularly like and leaving those which contain
food elements they need for proper development. Pigeons always drink
immediately after feeding. When the first pigeon stops eating and takes
a drink, it is a sign that the pigeons have had enough food so do not
scatter any more grain.
_c._ BREEDING PIGEONS. Parent pigeons feed their young in the nest
by ejecting food from their own crops into the youngster’s crop.
Therefore, when young pigeons are in the nest, return in about 30
minutes after the initial feeding and offer additional food to the
parents. When the youngsters are approximately 18 days of age, start
placing a handful of grain each day in the back corner of the nest
compartment out of the way of the droppings. The parent pigeons will
eat a few grains in the presence of the youngsters. The youngsters will
imitate their parents and thus learn to eat by themselves more rapidly.
22. Pigeon Feed
The diet for a pigeon should include legumes (peas and vetch), seeds,
cereal grains, green foods, and grit. The seeds and grains are fed
as an ordinary diet in the form of a feed mixture, but grit is fed
separately. Feed must be of a specific grade and mixture to assure the
pigeon of proper growth, a generally healthy condition, and enough
energy to endure the hardships of messenger flights. Pigeon feed, which
is a perishable item, must be grown under prescribed conditions from
the finest quality seed, harvested, cleaned, stored, and then mixed
when required. When harvested, grain or seed is likely to contain many
impurities like chaff, weed seeds, weevils, or other injurious insects,
kernels which are dead or damaged, and excessive moisture. Practically
all of these impurities must be removed before the feed is suitable
for use. Mixing must be accomplished under conditions that will insure
uniformity. The word “feed” as used below will refer to either mixed
feed, grain, or seeds, as applicable. A single grain or seed will be
referred to as a “kernel.”
_a._ SUITABLE FEED. Feed should—
(1) Be sound and have a natural odor, without traces of sour, musty, or
foreign odors.
(2) Be well matured and of good natural color, without a noticeable
amount of dead or damaged kernels.
(3) Be free of dirt, dust, or foreign material, beyond a slight trace.
(4) Be free from live weevils or other insects and the defects caused
by them.
(5) Be free-flowing, without traces of webbyness.
(6) Not contain excessive moisture as determined by the field test
described in _b_ (5) below.
_b._ DEFECTIVE PIGEON FEED. Defects in feed can be recognized by smell,
visual inspection, or laboratory test. Feed is unsuitable for use if it
has any of the following defects:
(1) _Unsound._ This condition may be detected by a sour or musty odor
or by an “off color” appearance.
(2) _Foreign materials._ Chaff, dirt, dust, stones, etc., can be
detected by visual inspection.
(3) _Webbyness._ When feed has been, or is infected, with injurious
insects it is likely to be webby. The feed will cling together in small
balls by webs similar to cobwebs. It may also have an objectionable
odor.
(4) _Dead or damaged kernels._ Kernels that have sprouted, been bored
by insects, or are discolored as a result of frost, fermentation, or
immaturity, can be detected by a visual inspection.
(5) _Moisture._ Small amounts of moisture cannot be detected without
a laboratory test. However, a field method which may be employed to
determine roughly the moisture content of feed is to place a few of
the kernels on a flat surface and then strike them a few times with
a hammer or similar tool. If the feed tested does not contain an
excessive amount of moisture, the kernels will crumble into small
pieces like “corn meal.” If an excessive amount of moisture is present
the kernels will become pulpy. When performing this test, remember that
hulled oats, flax seed, hemp seed, and vetch, because of their oil
content, will become pulpy even though their moisture content is within
required limits.
_c._ HARMFUL INSECTS. The two most harmful insects to pigeon feed are
weevils and grain moths.
(1) _Weevils._ Weevils are small beetle-type insects which vary in
color from brown to black. They eat by boring holes into the portion of
the kernel containing the nutritive elements. Weevils can be detected
by the test described in _i_(2)(_b_) below.
(2) _Grain moths._ These small moths vary in color from buff to grayish
or yellowish brown. During the larva stage they gnaw their way into
the kernel and then eat the inside portion to secure nourishment for
growth. When fully grown they eat their way out of the kernel. The
presence of moths in feed can be detected by the holes they leave in
kernels.
_d._ FEED MIXTURES. Various seeds and grains are mixed in
specified percentages to acquire a feed mixture of certain required
amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Factors determining the
type of feed mixture used are climatic conditions, the way in which
the pigeon is used, and the condition of the bird. Different mixtures
are fed during the breeding and molting period, while training or
conditioning, or while the pigeons are used for messenger service. Use
of feed mixtures is as follows:
(1) _Breeding feed_ is used to maintain a healthy physical condition
in parent pigeons, and at the same time supply essential food elements
necessary to raise strong young pigeons.
(2) _Training and conditioning feed_ builds and maintains a physical
condition suitable for short distance messenger service during the
training period.
(3) _Special feed_ supplies energy and replaces the body tissues
consumed by the pigeon when it is continuously used for messenger
service.
(4) _Molting feed_, a supplementary feed mixture containing hemp,
canary, flax, and rape, insures good feathers and keeps the weight of
the pigeon normal by supplying rich, oily, and easily digested feed.
_e._ ANALYSIS. The three principal properties of feed that are
necessary for development and maintenance of a sound physical condition
are proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
(1) _Proteins_ contribute a large portion of the elements necessary for
maintaining the pigeon’s health, muscular and respiratory system, and
the organs essential to flying. The most important feeds in the protein
class are peas and vetch.
(2) _Carbohydrates_ supply energy. The portion of carbohydrates not
used immediately changes to “fat” and is held in reserve by the pigeon
to be drawn upon when it is being used continuously for messenger
service. The most important suppliers of carbohydrates are rice,
kaffir, wheat, corn, and hulled oats.
(3) _Fats_ keep the pigeon warm and also build a reserve supply of
energy. The feeds which furnish fats are rape, flax, and hemp seed.
_f._ ANALYSIS CHART. The following chart gives a comparative
analysis of the grains and seeds used for pigeon feed:
_ANALYSIS CHART_
--------+------------------+--------+---+-------+--------------+----
| | | | | Carbohydrates|
| | | | +-----+--------+
| | | | | |Nitrogen|
Stock | | | | Crude |Crude| free |
No. | Ingredient |Moisture|Ash|protein|fiber| extract| Fat
--------+------------------+--------+---+-------+-----+--------+----
9A705 |Buckwheat, | | | | | |
| unofficial[2] | 12.6 |2.0| 10.0 | 8.7 | 64.5 | 2.2
| | | | | | |
9A747 |Seed, canary, 99% | | | | | |
| pure, | | | | | |
| unofficial[2] | 7.0 |5.5| 17.2 | 5.7 | 59.1 | 5.5
| | | | | | |
9A747.1 |Seed, flax, | | | | | |
| 99% pure, | | | | | |
| U. S. No. 1[1] | 9.2 |4.3| 22.6 | 7.0 | 23.2 |33.7
| | | | | | |
9A876.1 |Corn, American, | | | | | |
| small grain, | | | | | |
| U. S.No. 1[1] | 12.9 |1.3| 9.3 | 1.9 | 70.3 | 4.3
| | | | | | |
9A1360 |Seed, hemp, | | | | | |
| sterilized, 99% | | | | | |
| pure, | | | | | |
| unofficial[2] | 8.0 |2.0| 10.0 |14.0 | 45.0 |21.0
| | | | | | |
9A1550 |Kaffir, U. S. | | | | | |
| No. 1[1] | 9.4 |1.6| 11.1 | 2.1 | 72.6 | 3.2
| | | | | | |
9A1765 |Seed, millet, 99% | | | | | |
| pure, | | | | | |
| unofficial[2] | 9.1 |3.3| 11.8 | 7.8 | 64.7 | 3.3
| | | | | | |
9A1787 |Oats, hulled, | | | | | |
| table grade, | | | | | |
| unofficial[2] | 8.4 |1.8| 16.0 | 1.5 | 65.5 | 6.8
| | | | | | |
9A1848 |Peas, Canada, | | | | | |
| U. S. No. 1[1] | 9.2 |3.4| 23.0 | 5.5 | 57.8 | 1.1
| | | | | | |
9A1848.1|Peas, maple, | | | | | |
| unofficial[2] | 11.0 |2.5| 21.9 | 5.5 | 58.2 | 0.9
| | | | | | |
9A1848.2|Peas, white, First| | | | | |
| and Best, | | | | | |
| U. S. No. 1[1] | 9.1 |3.3| 11.8 | 7.8 | 64.7 | 3.3
| | | | | | |
9A1901 |Seed, rape, large,| | | | | |
| sweet, 99% pure,| | | | | |
| unofficial[2] | 14.0 |3.9| 19.4 | 7.8 | 16.4 |38.5
| | | | | | |
9A1940 |Rice, whole, extra| | | | | |
| fancy, U. S. | | | | | |
| No. 1[1] | 12.4 |0.4| 7.4 | 0.2 | 79.2 | 0.4
| | | | | | |
9A2600 |Vetch, common, | | | | | |
| unofficial[2] | 13.7 |3.3| 25.4 | 5.4 | 50.7 | 1.5
| | | | | | |
9A2800 |Wheat, hard red or| | | | | |
| durum, U. S. | | | | | |
| No. 1[1] | 10.6 |1.8| 12.3 | 2.4 | 71.1 | 1.8
--------+------------------+--------+---+-------+-----+--------+----
[Footnote 1: “U. S. No. 1 Grade” complies with standards for that
grade established by the U. S. Department of Agriculture.]
[Footnote 2: “Unofficial grade” indicates grain or seed
“well-matured, sound, clean, and of good natural color and odor” as
certified to by a recognized Official Grain Inspection Agency.
_Note._ The above analysis of ingredients for pigeon feed are
averages. Climatic conditions or the locality in which the grain or
seed is grown may slightly alter this analysis.]
_g._ GREEN FOOD. Certain amounts of this food are essential for the
pigeon’s digestive organs to function properly. Crisp young lettuce,
kale (preferably curly), and chickweed are the best green foods for
pigeons. Pigeons prefer green stuff sprinkled with a little table salt.
While green food is in season, give the pigeons as much of it as they
will eat about three times a week. The preferred method for feeding
this type of food is to suspend it in bunches on the inside of the loft
about 4 inches from the floor.
_h._ FORMULAS. (1) The formulas for the various feed mixtures are
listed below under their suggested use. It must be remembered that the
factor governing the use of these feed mixtures will be climate and
existing conditions.
_Breeding_
Stock No. 9A1219.2
25% American corn
10% Kaffir
25% Canada peas or white peas, First and Best
5% Millet seed
20% Vetch
15% Wheat, hard red or durum
_Molting_
Stock No. 9A1219.8
15% Rice, whole
20% Canary seed
15% Flax seed
20% Hemp seed
20% Millet seed
10% Rape seed
_Training or conditioning_
Stock No. 9A1219.5
3.5% Buckwheat
25.0% American corn
5.0% Kaffir
2.5% Oats, hulled
12.5% Canada peas or white peas, First and Best
12.5% Peas, maple
5.0% Rice, whole
2.5% Canary seed
5.0% Hemp seed
5.0% Millet seed
15.0% Vetch
6.5% Wheat, hard red or durum
Note. This mixture may also be used for a breeding feed.
Stock No. 9A1219.6
35% American corn
5% Oats, hulled
10% Canada peas or white peas,
First and Best
15% Maple peas
5% Rice, whole
5% Hemp seed
15% Vetch
10% Wheat, hard red or durum
Note. This mixture may also be used for a breeding feed.
_Special_
Stock No. 9A1219.4
25% American corn
25% Canada peas or white peas, First and Best
30% Maple peas
20% Vetch
Stock No. 9A1219.7
10% American corn
5% Hulled oats
20% Canada peas or white peas,
First and Best
25% Maple peas
5% Rice, whole
5% Hemp seed
20% Vetch
10% Wheat, hard red or durum
Note. Recommended for tropical climate.
(2) The following chart gives a comparative analysis of the above
mixtures:
---------+--------+-----+-------+------------------+------
| | | | Carbohydrates |
| | | +-----+------------+
| | | |Crude| Nitrogen |
Stock No.|Moisture| Ash |Protein|fiber|free extract| Fat
---------+--------+-----+-------+-----+------------+------
9A1219.2 | 11.26 | 2.42| 16.71 | 3.89| 63.33 | 2.39
| | | | | |
9A1219.4 | 11.57 | 2.58| 19.73 | 4.58| 59.63 | 1.91
| | | | | |
9A1219.5 | 11.27 | 2.27| 15.76 | 4.50| 62.76 | 3.44
| | | | | |
9A1219.6 | 11.64 | 2.06| 15.56 | 3.87| 63.32 | 3.55
| | | | | |
9A1219.7 | 11.12 | 2.49| 18.98 | 4.78| 59.87 | 2.76
| | | | | |
9A1219.8 | 9.46 | 3.25| 14.24 | 7.36| 50.76 |14.93
---------+--------+-----+-------+-----+------------+------
_i._ STORAGE AND FUMIGATION. Pigeon feed procured in
accordance with U. S. Army Specification 24-17-C, is of the finest
ingredients obtainable in accordance with U. S. Department of
Agriculture standards, and is processed prior to packing. If stored
properly this feed will not become contaminated. Improper storage,
however, counteracts the precautions taken to procure best quality
feed. Therefore, the instructions below have been prepared to safeguard
the original quality of the feed during storage.
(1) _Proper method of storage._ The larval, pupal and adult stages of
injurious grain insects are inactive in a temperature of 50° F. or
lower. Thus the first and the most important rule is to store feed in a
COOL, DRY PLACE, on a platform at least 6 inches above the floor.
(_a_) There are several simple methods of stacking bagged feed. One way
is to stand the first tier of bags on end on a movable floor of narrow
boards nailed to joists. Bags should be set far enough apart to admit
air and light. The air keeps the bags dry and the light discourages
rats. Other tiers of bags are laid flat, each tier at right angles to
the previous tier, to admit air and light (fig. 10). A second method is
to lay a tier of bags flat on two parallel timbers, each tier laid at
right angles to the previous tier (fig. 10).
(_b_) After feed has been stacked, it must be protected against rats.
An inexpensive protective method is to construct a wooden framework
inside the building where the feed is to be stored, and to cover it
completely with 1/4-inch wire mesh. The size of the wire mesh inclosure
depends on the amount of feed to be stored.
[Illustration: TL70180 _Figure 10. Methods of stacking bags._
TL70180]
(2) _Examination for contamination._ Feed stored in a hot climate or in
buildings where injurious grain insects are present is likely to become
infested. Therefore feed should be visually examined bimonthly for
presence of moths or adult insects.
(_a_) Take the temperature of the feed by inserting a thermometer into
the feed, especially in the bags at the center of the pile. If it
exceeds 75° F. make a closer and more frequent examination.
(_b_) A simple and practical test to discover the presence of insects
is to place a quantity of the questionable feed in a sieve with
1/16-inch wire mesh (sieve PG-35), and shake over a white cloth or
paper. Examine screenings and if insects are present, fumigate the feed
according to instructions in (3) below to prevent further damage and
ultimate ruin.
(3) _Fumigation._ There are three methods for fumigating contaminated
pigeon feed available to pigeon units.
[Illustration: _Figure 11. Bath Pan PG-38._
TL70217]
(_a_) Quartermaster, fumigation and bath companies (T/O & E 10-257)
have facilities, such as portable methyl bromide fumigation chambers,
for delousing clothing which may be used for fumigating pigeon feed.
These units are generally assigned to posts, camps, or stations and
to theaters of operations, and their services may be obtained. To use
their equipment, load chamber with bags of contaminated feed, seal,
and charge it with a 2-pound can of methyl bromide, Stock Number 51M892
(see Quartermaster supplement of the Federal Standard Stock Catalog).
Feed should remain in the chamber for at least 24 hours. Temperature of
the interior of the chamber should be maintained at a minimum of 70° F.
(_b_) If a portable fumigation chamber is not available, a building
which can be tightly sealed, like those used for training purposes
in the Chemical Warfare Service, may be used. The feed should be
loaded into the vault so that the entire floor space is utilized. Seal
vault tightly and apply methyl bromide from the outside of the vault
through a 1/4-inch diameter copper tubing at the top of the chamber.
The connection between the tubing and the methyl bromide container
should allow no leakage. The feed should remain in the vault for at
least 24 hours. The temperature of the interior of the vault should
be maintained at a minimum of 75° F. for best results. Use at least
1 pound of methyl bromide per 1,000 cubic feet of space. After the
24-hour exposure period, open vault and air it for a few hours before
removing feed. Methyl bromide is toxic to human beings. Therefore,
before opening or entering the vault after the exposure period, the
fumigator should wear a gas mask type M9A1, with a standard service
canister.
[Illustration: _Figure 12. Catching pigeon in loft._
TL70181]
(_c_) If a portable fumigation chamber or gas tight vault is not
available, “tarpaulin method” of fumigation may be used. Sweep clear
the floor (preferably cement) where the feed is to be placed for
fumigation. Stack the bags of feed in a square area to a height of 5
or 6 feet. After the feed is stacked, center four bags of feed in an
upright position on top of the pile to form a gas expansion dome. Throw
a tarpaulin which is large enough to cover completely the entire pile
of feed over the pile. Allow a minimum margin of 2 feet on the floor
for sealing. The tarpaulin should be of treated material, preferably
rubberized, to prevent leakage and to be impervious to the fumigant.
Seal the marginal excess of tarpaulin with filled bags or weights. The
fumigant is released from the container through a tubing extending from
the container under the tarpaulin to the top of the gas expansion dome.
The same type of fumigant, dosage, exposure, and temperature required
for vault or chamber fumigation are employed, and the same precautions
are observed when removing the tarpaulin after the exposure period. If
circumstances prevent a tight sealing of the tarpaulin use an increased
amount of fumigant to compensate for leakage.
_j._ USE AND PREPARATION OF GRIT. Grit is a prepared mixture which
serves as a mechanical grinder for the food in the pigeon’s gizzard
and assists in assimilation. Grit also purifies the crop and supplies
lime for bone building and forming of egg shells. Many grit mixtures
are available, most of which contain crushed oyster shell, gravel,
sand, small sea shells, crushed limestone, salt, charcoal, and other
ingredients.
(1) Between 5 and 10 percent of the food fed a pigeon should be grit.
Normally 5 percent is sufficient, except during the breeding season
when as much as 10 percent may be fed since the parent pigeons pump
grit into the youngsters when they start eating grains.
(2) A preferred grit is made as follows:
(_a_) Thoroughly mix (in the manner of mixing mortar) 20 pounds of
medium granite grit, 20 pounds of medium oyster shell, 20 pounds of
medium crushed limestone, 5 pounds of medium charcoal, and 1/8 pound
of oxide of iron (hematite). Then dissolve 3 pounds of table salt in
boiling water and add just enough of this solution to the mixture to
dampen it thoroughly. Do not add too much water. Thoroughly mix the
whole preparation and allow to dry before feeding to birds.
(_b_) Each of the various ingredients in the mixture has a purpose. The
granite is a grinder and pulverizes the food; the oxide of iron has
a beneficial effect upon the blood and acts as a tonic; the charcoal
purifies the crop, acting as a stomachic, that is, strengthening or
stimulating action of the stomach. Limestone provides the materials for
strengthening the bones. The oyster shells contribute lime which enters
into the composition of bones and egg shells.
(3) The grit mixtures used are listed in the Signal Corps General
Catalog, as Stock Nos. 9A1321 (color red), and 9A1322 (color natural)
“Seashell” or equal.
(4) Keep grit in the loft constantly except during the 24 hours before
the pigeons are to be sent away to a point 50 or more miles distant
for immediate liberation. Since grit contains salt and minerals which
cause thirst, pigeons might land en route for water, thereby losing
valuable time and exposing themselves to the danger of being shot or
captured. Place the grit in a wooden box designed so that the pigeons
cannot easily introduce foreign matter into the mixture. Inspect the
box daily and remove all foreign matter. Refill the grit container with
dry grit as needed. Once a week empty the grit container and clean it
thoroughly. Add a fresh supply and destroy the old grit. Always keep
an ample supply of grit in stock at the loft.
[Illustration:
(1) _Correct_ (2) _Incorrect_
_Figure 13. Holding pigeon for inspection._
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[Illustration: _Figure 14. Catching pigeon in crate._
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_k._ ALLOWANCE OF FEED AND GRIT. (1) The annual allowance of
feed mixture is 52 pounds for each pigeon because the average pigeon,
including those breeding and those not breeding, consumes 1 pound of
grain per week.
(2) The annual allowance of grit is 6 pounds a pigeon.
23. Bathing
_a._ No other class of fowl, except the duck family, enjoys a bath as
much as pigeons. Pigeons that are kept clean have less trouble with
mites or feather lice. The use of a quassia chip solution in the bath
water is excellent for keeping pigeons free from lice and should be
used once a week. To prepare the solution, boil one pound of quassia
chips in 2 gallons of water for 20 minutes. Strain off the liquid and
use 2 quarts of this solution to 3 gallons of bath water.
_b._ As far as practicable, provide bath water daily during warm
weather but omit in freezing weather. Approximately 1 hour after the
morning feeding prepare the bath pan PG-38 and leave it in position
about 1 hour. Scrub the pan thoroughly after the pigeons have finished
bathing. During the breeding season provide the bath after the morning
feeding as usual, but on alternate days provide the bath in the early
afternoon. This method enables both cocks and hens to bathe every other
day (see par. 44_a_).
24. Catching and Handling
Great care must be exercised when catching and handling pigeons because
their flying ability depends upon their physical condition, and awkward
and improper handling may result in the loss or breaking of tail and
flight feathers. The correct methods of catching and handling birds are
shown in figures 12 and 13.
_a._ CATCHING IN CRATE. To catch a pigeon in a crate or container,
gently force it to the corner or end of the container and place palm
of the hand in a firm position over pigeon’s shoulders (fig. 14); then
turn the bird around (facing bird to door or entrance) and gently
grasp it between both hands for lifting from crate. Bring pigeon to
normal position in front of the waistline. Pigeons must be taken head
first from all crates to prevent injury to the feathers.
[Illustration:
(1) _Correct_ (2) _Incorrect_
_Figure 15. Crating a pigeon._
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_b._ CATCHING IN LOFT. This should be done with great care and ease as
both the physical and feather condition of a pigeon may be impaired by
awkward handling. There are several good methods for catching pigeons.
The following one has been found to be satisfactory when carried out
properly:
(1) Always catch pigeons while in nests or on perches (fig. 15).
Approach pigeon calmly, avoiding sudden movements that might frighten
it.
(2) Grasp bird by a quick movement of the hands. Catch it from the
front, with the thumbs on its back and fingers under its body.
=Caution=: Never attempt to catch birds in the aviary, or when they are
flying about the loft.
_c._ INSPECTING BIRDS. When examining the wings, back, or tail feathers
of a pigeon, always hold its chest or front portion against your body
(fig. 12) for security. To examine the head, eyes, or bill, place the
bird properly in one hand using the other hand as a front or side
support, leaving fingers free for examination.
_d._ CRATING BIRDS. Hold the bird with your thumb across its back and
its legs between your first two fingers; place the palm of the other
hand over the front part of the pigeon, extend fingers downward in the
direction of the keel (fig. 15), and guide the bird into the crate. Do
not release until bird’s feet are firmly on crate floor. Avoid crating
birds with one hand only.