PIGEON FANCYING.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 476, 23 April 1894, Page 2

PIGEON FANCYING.

tr fa. Hounslow-s Lofts

Pigeon fancying is now becoming a profitable aud pleasant pastime in many parts of New Zealand, and Masterton is not behind in the matter. Amongst others who have devoted a good deal of time and trouble to this hobby,isMr William Hounslow, of Maßterton, whose lofts in Chapel Street present a very pleasing appearance and attract considerable uotice from passers-by, and quite a number of strangers-including some of the fancy —ask permission to look over the lofts, Mr Hounslow always most courteously gran'ing the request. The unanimous verdict of all who have seen the lofts is that they are amongst the best in the Colony, On entering the lofts the visitor will find three distiuct compartments, j Oiiob properly fitted and excellently arranged. The fiist is used as a hostipal, where birds suffering from any disease, are treated in the methods best known to the successful breeder, and Mr Hounslaw irotu long study and considerable experience, appears to have an excellent knowledge ou these ut afters, and no sooner does a bird show the vemotest sign of sickness, than it is at once isolated, and

given pioper attention, the result generally .being that in a few days it is enjoying the company of tho other birds, for by close attention to rules of sanitation, Mr Houualow does, not lose many of his feathered friends, The second compartment is known as the " drafting house." Here there tare some half dozen maliug pens specially designed and constructed to avoid the. possibility of the birds suffering injury while in them. The pens me about 3G inches long, 12 inches deep and 15 inches high. Having selected the pair desired to be mated for tho coming season, the. male is placed in one end and the feiu.de in die opposite; a moveable frame or partition, with one and a half inch space between tho bars, is then iiiborted; the birds in this way cannot damage each other, and will soon mate. Immediately Ihey show signs of pairing the partition is removed, and the birds are in one cage, When

are placed in thu main liift in Ili9 "cage'' or " uesl ' which Imb been prepared for them, and in a few days the door of ibcir small cosy room is opened and they are at liberty to fly ut. A cluse eye is needed for o day r two 10 see that ihey occupy the age nt night; once this is overcome here is no fear of Ibe birds quitting t the whole season. The birds in Mr lounslcw's lofts are all mated in this irder, which is very essential and onducive to pure breeding. No'. 3 is the main loft,. wbioh is iccupied by the flock of birds allowed it large. There are somo eighteen ' cugi 1 ?," besides which nro fourteen if the old fashioned pigeon-holea (all 'oily occupied) for the birds to breed n. The " cages" are so arranged ,hat any .individual pair, or the whole ot, may be shut up or liberated as krired. ]n these " cages "—which ire built in; and occupy all the end of the loft—are placed movable nest boxes and a nercb for the " oldsters"

when off Ibe nest. The boxes ore cleaned out thoroughly after each " sitting," ami replaced after a washing with a strong solution of kerosene nnd supplied with clean sawdust. This answers remarkably well, (or it is not only a substitute for hay or straw, but acts as a deodoriser, thereby allaying any offensive smell which might otherwise arise. On the floor of this room is a plentiful supply of sawdust and fine giavel or sand, which the birds delight in picking about, and also lumps of lockalt, which pigeons arc very fond of indeed, helping at the same time to maintain them in good healih. There is also a drinking fountain always kept properly supplied with pure water, The food supplied to the birds is tho very best procurable, which the owner considers ono of tho most important items in sue Jcessful pigeon keeping, A close wire netting is stretched across the loft, thus forming the separate rooms alluded to, and each bird

!bas its own perch, which enables the Ilrictest discipline to be maintained ImongKt tho inmates. The birds ob< | tain egress through a wire cage, constructed specially for the purpose, with sliding doors, which are oponed or closed with the utmost easo. Outside two boarded platforms have been built for the birds to do a promenade, and while on these they are seen to the best advantage. Ou one of theso " walks" is placed a large enamelled tray, filled every day with fresh clean water, in which tbo birds regularly baths, and thoroughly enjoy a iluttciin the bath. It ailbids a lot of amusement to the onlookers to watch their antics while thus engaged. Twice every favourable day are the birds flown for exercise, and the way in which they are trainband do their work is won by of uute. No sooner are the birds liberated and Mr Wra. Hounnlow sounds a whistle than they are all off on the wing, When he considers they have flown long enough he whistles differently, and they all settle down. Some idea of tho time entailed and patience required may be gathered from this high state of training. As to the birds themselves-Bixty in number—they are a beautiful lot, in tbo pink of condition and health, The varieties consist of dragons, worliing homers, beards, Anlwerps, tumblers aud faniails, Several of the homers, tumblers, dragons, andj beards were obtained from Mr Burton j Boys, of Masterton, whose reputation as a fancier is well-known throughout Now Zealand and in many parts ol Australia and England. * • Tho whole of the interior of these lofts is lime-washed every season, and parafine oil is syringed on the walls inside the nests or.cages, so that all parasites are entirely destroyed. Tubing everything into consideration the lofts are very complete, the minutest detail having been con"sidered for the comfort of the little pets, and it reflects great credit on the energy and attention of their ownor, who, having thoroughly Btudied this subject has arrived at tbo conclusion that to be successful in keeping pigeons in good health, plenty of room, thorough cleanliness and the best of food are absolutely essential.