one to two days between the time the hen
lays the eggs. The birds always lay the eggs in pairs, but once in a
while two pairs of birds will lay in the same nest and give the
impression that four eggs have been laid.

Bad eggs are discernable easily with a little practice. At a week or
ten days' old, bad eggs will have almost the appearance of a fresh laid
egg, only they are shiny instead of dull on the outside, and are
semi-transparent. If eggs like these are shaken gently, you can feel
that they are loose and watery inside. On being held to the light and
turned, the air space will shift all over. In good eggs, the air space
is stationary. An egg, two or three weeks' old, having decided dark
lines through it, is a sign that the squab has died in the shell. If
uncertain as to an egg, it is best to leave till it develops definite
signs of being bad.

Young squabs do not need assistance to get out of shell, but the empty
shell can be removed later. The young squabs should not be handled too
much and I do not advise any artificial feeding at all, as the old
birds will give their young the best care. After eating and drinking,
the old birds will fly to the nest and feed the young from their bills,
just the right proportions of grain, formed into a substance called
pigeon milk. The so-called pigeon milk varies according to the size of
squabs and later contains whole grains and water. The squabs should
never leave the nest till fully feathered, this takes about four weeks,
and at that time the squabs are ready for market. To determine the
exact age for marketing, look beneath the wings, as they feather out
here last.

The feeding I have not gone into before, as it is contingent on the
squabs.

Of course, every locality has peculiarities of its own and certain
grains are cheaper in certain places. Your local dealer, no doubt, has
a good pigeon feed to start with. Later you can improve and economize
by mixing your own feed.

Our formula for winter feeding, is as follows:--

Argentine Corn 30%
Red Wheat 10%
Kaffir Corn 25%
Buckwheat 20%
Peas 15%

Summer feeding is:--

Argentine Corn 25%
Red Wheat 15%
Kaffir Corn 30%
Peas 30%

Using these two formulas as a basis, you can easily arrange the best
formula for yourself. Corn and buckwheat are very heatening, and the
latter can be entirely dispensed with in