A friend came to visit me recently, and he asked me: "Jeff, what do you think about the daily care of pigeon?" Is it really as important as so many experts and fanciers claim? My answer is simple: "Not just for pigeon racing, but especially if you want to get high results." ”
Bathing and preparing for the race
Let me give you a few examples to prove my words, but take bathing as an example, which can really bring benefits to pigeons. I usually bathe the pigeons on Fridays.
Because it was the day of pigeon collecting, at noon, when the sky was warm and pleasant, the pigeons jumped into the cold water and frolicked, and the pigeons in good health were sure to enjoy the moment. I can say for sure that at that moment, the health of my own pigeons can be fully confirmed.
Due to their good physique, health and good condition, the plumage is generally smooth and shiny, and there is a layer of gray powder on the surface of the feathers, so it is basically not absorbent. It is then quick to determine which pigeon has dried first, often the first pigeon to return home on Sunday.
For my pigeons, bathing is a sign that they realise that caged pigeons is imminent and that they are about to leave home for a new journey. This method of "indoctrination" has its importance and is also part of daily care. So, bathing is actually a process of pre-match preparation.
The importance of corn
Some fanciers love to bluff their feed, as if a title or a result depends on its mana, and I don't believe in that. If I were a small fancier, I would base my confidence on a certain commercial feed, especially in the quality of the corn used in that feed.
Of course, other seed foods are also important, and fanciers should not feed their pigeons with poor quality food. But in my opinion, the purity and quality of the corn in the feed determines the quality standards of this kind of feed.
Whether you're currently feeding homemade, branded clearance feed or Saifei feed, the key is for the pigeons to consume every seed in the feed. I do not intend to advertise any brand of feed here, I feed myself as follows: In the run-up to the competition, I feed peas and dried rapeseed. When the seeds are eaten, I add a little more corn and sprinkle some wheat. Finally, feed some small seeds, such as white sorghum, hulled oats or vetch.
As soon as the pigeons appear to be full, I take a dust shovel and brush to remove the remaining seed grain until the floor is cleaned without leaving any stains. Well-formulated commercial feeds generally contain the above seed grains, which should be fed a little by little when used by fanciers.
For example, grab handfuls one at a time until the pigeons are fed. The two approaches are actually the same way. Another important point to note when feeding widowers is that every day when widowers return from training, fanciers may wish to wait for a while to calm down in the loft before feeding. The longer you wait, the better your appetite will be.
And how to feed irritating seeds? I certainly feed some too, but be careful as well and use in small amounts. After returning from training, the pigeons pinch a little hemp seeds or other irritating seed grains with their fingers and place them in their nest boxes.
Don't underestimate this detail, it is also important because this is how I taught my pigeons to fly directly into the nesting box, so that they can return from the race without hesitation and save a few seconds.
Drinking water
Maybe my habits don't fit in with many fashionable theories. On the one hand, I usually feed the pigeons on the floor (very clean); On the other hand, I put their drinking water in their respective nest boxes. Each widowed has its own drinking fountain, and special attention is paid to the cleanliness of the drinking water, which is changed twice a day.
Some readers may not understand, "Why put feed on the floor?" ...... Why should drinking water be separated? "My answer: everyone knows that widower cocks have a hard time maintaining their appetite and it is up to fanciers to find ways to feed them. In fact, my method helped me a lot. Distributing drinking water individually can bring us valuable information.
In practice, the pigeons that enter the state drink very little water, which is why this is often the case: in the morning I fill up the drinking fountain and in the evening it is almost so much water. These pigeons in good condition fly in hot weather and do not feel thirsty right away. This is an intelligence that saves time and increases the odds of winning a high prize.
Another advantage of this method is that the pigeon's drinking water can be controlled. I only put a small amount of water in the drinking fountain when it's hot, and I know they must be thirsty when they come home. I also often put a small amount of honey in the water, and if I say that after flying for hours on end, honey is only good for it, but not harmful, and I hope no one will argue with me.
END
Text|Jeff. Von Leer
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