Section I. General

Purpose 1 1 Methods 2 1 Origin and history 3 1 Nature 4 1 Utility 5 2

II. DESCRIPTION

General appearance 6 3 Weight 7 3 Plumage 8 3 Head 9 3 Neck 10 3 Body 11 3 Respiratory channels 12 5 Digestive organs 13 6 Bloom or milt 14 6 Molt 15 8 Varieties of feathers 16 9

III. CARE

Loft 17 11 Preparation of loft to receive pigeons 18 11 Receipt of pigeons at loft 19 11 Watering 20 14 Feeding 21 15 Pigeon feed 22 16 Bathing 23 25 Catching and handling 24 25

IV. LOFT MANAGEMENT AND RECORDS

Routine 25 28 Classification of pigeon colors 26 28 Records and reports 27 29 Banding 28 37 Loft equipment 29 39 Message holders 30 42

V. TRAINING

Responsibility for training 31 45 Qualifications for pigeoneers 32 45 Introduction to pigeon training 33 46 Settling pigeons 34 46 Training for messenger service 35 50 Delivering pigeons by parachute 36 58

VI. MATING AND BREEDING

Mating 37 62 Sex 38 62 Selection of stock 39 62 Line breeding 40 64 Nests 41 64 Control of breeding 42 64 Laying 43 65 Hatching and feeding 44 65 Identification 45 65 Culling 46 65

VII. DISEASES AND MEDICINES

General 47 67 Prevention of disease 48 67 Control of disease 49 67 Anatomy and physiology 50 68 Indications of sickness 51 69 Diseases 52 69 External parasites 53 73 Internal parasites 54 77 Treatment of injuries 55 81 Medicines 56 82

This manual supersedes TM 11-140, 10 September 1940