SQUABS FOR MARKET.
Squabs are ready for market at from four to four-and-one-half weeks
from the time hatched. As soon as the squabs are fully feathered, they
should be removed from the nest, as they will soon jump from nest and
run on the floor, thereby losing weight until killed.
If squabs are to be killed at once, care should be taken to remove from
pen just before feeding time, so that their crops will not be full of
grain. They may even be taken the night before, if kept in a warm
place.
[Illustration: Figure 5. REVOLVING FEED REGULATOR]
To kill squabs properly, they should be hung up by the feet. Two nails
driven partially into a board about an eighth of an inch apart will
serve nicely to clamp the feet. The wings should now be twisted over
each other twice, so that they cannot flap. Killing the squab requires
a little knack. First, take the small blade of a penknife and after
grasping the head of the squab firmly with thumb and forefinger, just
over eyes, put the blade down the throat at least one inch, and then
pull up through the top of head. If squab does not die in thirty
seconds, repeat as it is difficult for a novice to cut the wind pipe
and brain the first time.
Plucking is easy and should be done while the squab is still warm.
Start with the wings, which are the hardest, and end with the tail
feathers. Picking against the feathers is quickest and is less likely
to tear the skin.
After picking, the squab should be dropped into cold water to cool and
harden. It is best for them to soak for at least three hours, and over
night will not harm them, if the water is cold and something is put
over top so as to keep squabs entirely below the surface.
Grading squabs as to size depends on whom you are selling to. Small,
medium, and large, is usually sufficient grading, but if you desire to
grade by pounds to the dozen accurately, the following table shows just
what grade various weight squabs come under.
6 Pound to the dozen Squabs 8 ozs. to 9-1/3 ozs.
7 " " " " 9-1/3 ozs. to 10-2/3 ozs.
8 " " " " 10-2/3 ozs. to 12 ozs.
9 " " " " 12 ozs. to 13-1/3 ozs.
10 " " " " 13-1/3 ozs. to 14-2/3 ozs.
11 " " " " 14-2/3 ozs. to 16 ozs.
12 " " " " over 16 ozs.
It is not necessary to weigh each squab individually. A half-dozen
about the same size will show the approximate weight per dozen.
In packing squabs to ship by express, they should be laid side by side
or feet up and tight enough so as not to shake around. In warm seasons
ice should be used between each layer and newspapers will help to hold
cold and avoid bruising. Mark every shipment "PERISHABLE--RUSH," and
always send an invoice in all shipments sent to commission merchants.
In sending squabs alive, care must be taken to get the birds out with
full crops, so that they will not loose weight in transit. The crate
for shipment should be fairly open to allow for plenty of ventilation.
Over-crowding must be avoided as the squabs huddle in groups and
smother easily. A regular spindle coop, about 24 inches by 36 inches
and 1 foot high, will hold 30 live squabs for shipping; more than that
is risky.
All shipments of live squabs should also be marked, "PERISHABLE--RUSH,"
the number of birds in shipment, and also the value.
If squabs are to be sold for breeding purposes, they should not be
shipped till they are at least eight weeks' old, and preferably ten
weeks. Only strong birds should be shipped and no shipments should be
made in extremely cold weather.