. The practical pigeon keeper. Pigeons. PREVENTION OF VERMIN. 31 Some people use birch twigs for the nests, such as are cut off by besom makers in trimming their work. The pigeons seem to prefer these to anything; and as they also have an aromatic smell which seems to repel vermin, where they can be obtained they make an excellent material, but the sawdust is most generally at command. The hopper and fountain will of coiirse be raised on a piece of wood, so as to be above the sawdust on the floor. Another efficacious plan of keeping insects from the loft is to suspend a few bottles, open at th
. The practical pigeon keeper. Pigeons. PREVENTION OF VERMIN. 31 Some people use birch twigs for the nests, such as are cut off by besom makers in trimming their work. The pigeons seem to prefer these to anything; and as they also have an aromatic smell which seems to repel vermin, where they can be obtained they make an excellent material, but the sawdust is most generally at command. The hopper and fountain will of coiirse be raised on a piece of wood, so as to be above the sawdust on the floor. Another efficacious plan of keeping insects from the loft is to suspend a few bottles, open at the mouth, and filled with bi-sulphide of carbon. The smell is very disagreeable, and seems to keep all insect vermin away, whUe the pigeons appear not to mind it in the least; but as the vapour is highly inflammable, those who have to visit their lofts by candle-light must take care not to bring the light near the mouth of any of the bottles. The use of sawdust will answer most purposes. If the proper kind cannot be procured in quantity sufficient to cover the floor, coarse sand' or gravel is the best substitute, but the loft must then be cleaned oftener, and it is advisable to keep turpentine, paraffin, or carbolic acid sprinkled about, or to use the bi-sulphide as above mentioned. In any case the slanting boards under the perches, the shelves, &c., must be kept clean by being well scraped at frequent intervals. This is facilitated if they are painted. Much the best form of scraper is the triangular one shown in Fig. 16. It has not only three working edges, but wiU scrape out comers which a square form cannot reach. We purposely describe none but the earthen nest-pans, from a conviction of their infinite superiority to all others. The only substitute we would admit is a wooden nest-pan, well painted, so as to leave no chink or aperture of any kind. We. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability
Size: 969px × 2579px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjectpigeons, bookyear1879
