(4) Be free from live weevils or other insects and the defects caused by them.
(5) Be free-flowing, without traces of webbyness.
(6) Not contain excessive moisture as determined by the field test described in b (5) below.
b. Defective pigeon feed. Defects in feed can be recognized by smell, visual inspection, or laboratory test. Feed is unsuitable for use if it has any of the following defects:
(1) Unsound. This condition may be detected by a sour or musty odor or by an “off color” appearance.
(2) Foreign materials. Chaff, dirt, dust, stones, etc., can be detected by visual inspection.
(3) Webbyness. When feed has been, or is infected, with injurious insects it is likely to be webby. The feed will cling together in small balls by webs similar to cobwebs. It may also have an objectionable odor.
(4) Dead or damaged kernels. Kernels that have sprouted, been bored by insects, or are discolored as a result of frost, fermentation, or immaturity, can be detected by a visual inspection.
(5) Moisture. Small amounts of moisture cannot be detected without a laboratory test. However, a field method which may be employed to determine roughly the moisture content of feed is to place a few of the kernels on a flat surface and then strike them a few times with a hammer or similar tool. If the feed tested does not contain an excessive amount of moisture, the kernels will crumble into small pieces like “corn meal.” If an excessive amount of moisture is present the kernels will become pulpy. When performing this test, remember that hulled oats, flax seed, hemp seed, and vetch, because of their oil content, will become pulpy even though their moisture content is within required limits.
c. Harmful insects. The two most harmful insects to pigeon feed are weevils and grain moths.