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The Idea behind
PigeonPeddler.Com is to promote
and connect pigeon fanciers with others who have the same interest. By doing this, they can share their ideas and information,
as well as contacts to clubs, buyers and sellers of pigeons and related items. My goal as well is to have and compile art
images, prints and photos of lofts and pigeons for all to view on this site and share some information . If you like to share
some photos, etc., just email me and I will list it in our photopile gallery and list your submission. From my personal collection
and others, I beleive it will be and enjoyment for all fanciers to view.
Brief history of some Pigeon Peddlers
The first image above is two pigeon peddlers standing next
to sixty thousand pigeons. The California Pigeon Farm was established in 1898, right next to the Los Angeles river. It was
the largest pigeon farm in the world. Also one mile away was the railway yards that brought wheat and grain to bakeries nearby.
Grain was dropped from the rail cars that helped feed the free flying pigeons. All varieties, all classes were there and one
and all inbred. There were forty thousand cotes for young pigeons on the property. The squabs were caught and collected for
market at three weeks of age. Squab sold for two to three dollars a dozen. It took sixty bushels of wheat and corn per day,
which was shipped in by rail from Northern California. Only five men were needed on the farm and their principle
labor consisted of catching squabs, feeding and cleaning out the nest boxes. Fertilizer was also a valuable product of the
farm and sold by the carload. Tanneries, owners of orchards and berry farms being the principle purchasers. This brought in
a hundred and twenty five dollars per carload. The peddlers of the farm started business with just one hundred birds. There
many homers at the farm plus a number variations in color and markings. It was quite a sight to see all these pigeons free
flying.
Squab was sold at the ranch for food tothe public
and shipped via rail to western cities. Remember, only ice was available in 1909 to keep the dressed squabs fresh. The pigeon
farm was in operation from 1898 to 1937 when terrific rains caused the free flowing Los Angeles river to swell and the Los
Angeles Pigeon Farm was washed away in the flood, never to be rebuilt. 12/94 Pigeon Debut.
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