THE RACING PIGEON.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 184, 6 August 1928, Page 13

THE RACING PIGEON.

FEEDING THE SQUEAKERS. PROPOSED INVERCARGILL RACE. LOCAL -JOTTINGS. J i Many of the lofts in the Auckland province now contain squeakers about ten days old. and it is at this period of growth that the nestlings receive food from the parent birds, gradually altering composition from the thick milky secretion to a half disgested grain diet. It will be noted that the old birds frequent the water trough in order to provide moisture to swell the partridge pea and other seeds, and it is not until sufficiently soft that the squeakers receive a feed. Later on the youngsters receive merely a moistened whole grain diet, but at present * their digestive powers are unable to cope with the hard and matured feed. Water is vitally essential to the stock birds during breeding season owing to the amount required for quickly growing squeakers. It is of assistance to the old birds in feeding, and enables them to pass the grains from the crop to the squeakers, without undue fatigue. The noigfe made by the crop of the feeding parent is due to the muscular action which ejects the grain into the bill, from which the young squeakers help them-

selves. It is not until the young birds have had a feed that the parent birds give them a drink by forcing the fluid into the squeaker's bill.

At about twelve days old the young bird begins to develop its sense of sight. It will be. noted that the eyes of the newly-hatched squeaker is closed, an<i does not open for several days. They depend upon a natural instinct for the purpose of locating the source of their food supply, but at twelve days old take a very active interest at the approach of the parent birds.

As stated before in these columns, a well filled crop is an emential to growing squeakers, for wtihout this, they" lose weight and quickly become able to crawl around. The fact that a squeaker's crop is packed with food, in itself prevents much movement, due to the weight of the crop, and its forward position also tends to make the young bird rest. The sense of balance is thus only slowly developed, and the result is a well-grown youngster with perfect physique.

Some loft arrangement is necessary within two. Weeks for tho.se young birds able to feed themselves. The male bird will, the option, feed the youngsters until they are at least six weeks old, to the detriment of the second round of youngsters. There is nothing so annoying to the male birds in a loft as a number of precocious youngsters cornering them at feeding time with that peculiar fan like action of the wings. No matter which way the male bird turns he is followed, and finally to obtain peace proceeds to give up the contents of the crop. If the accommodation is limited, then a small wire netting cage should be made, sufficiently large enough for a dozen young birds to be placed therein, immediately after feeding time. They can

be left within the enclosure for at least an hour, and within thjs.time the male bird will have fed the newly-hatched nestlings. By following this system for a week, the developed youngsters are weaned, and in addition they receive a chilly reception from the feeding males, who, after that period lose their parental affection for their first born. Proposed Invercargill Race. An effort is to be made this old bird season to negotiate the distance from Invercargill to Auckland. With this idea in view the Northern Club are making arrangements to receive entries for this classic event. Though Dunedin has been flown by a few of the Auckland racing pigeon fancier's birds, all the previous attempts at Invercargill have proved a failure. In addition to the handsome cash prizes awaiting the successful competitors, Mr. Ralph Hunter (member) announces that bis firm, Messrs. Hunter and Son, clothiers,, will donate a ten guinea suit to the owner of the winning bird. An entry fee of £1 per bird is understood to be fixed by the club, and members of any other Auckland Club will be entitled to compete, subject to the conditions to be obtained 'from the secretary of the Northern Club. N.Z. Homing Pigeon Federation.

At the annual meeting of the NewZealand Homing Pigeon Federation, held at Palmerston North, on Saturday last, the following officers were Patron, the Eight Hon. J. G. Coates: vice-patron; the Hon. F. J. Rolleston; president, Mr. A. Priddle; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. J. Patterson (Wanganui), Gerard (Christchurch), Strang (Invereargill), R. Gardiner (New Plymouth), J. Read (Wanganui), H. Melville (Wanganui), C. Scott (Tolaga Bay), J. Harvey (Gisborne), Dr. J. Bedford (Auckland), K. Hoar# (Petone). L. Tonks (Dunedin), H. Harvey (Levin), Dr. H. Wilson (Hastings), W. Croskery (Wellington), P. Wills (Palmerston), Dr. McKillop (Christchurch), HaTsrraves (Dunedin), H. Kingsford (Christchurch), H. Crowhurst and V. A. Ryder (Auckland); secretarytreasurer, Mr. J. A. Cleland (Wanganui) ; hon. auditor, Mr. S. McCalluni (Wanganui); hon. solicitor. Mr. R. Brown (Wanganui); hon. surveyors, Messrs. Wall, Bogle and Pavne (Wanganui); . committee, Messrs Kencli, .Mailman, Malcolmson, Sunborn and E. Hvlton.v

The'-'balance-sheet shows a credit balance in hand .July 31 of £10 19/4,