Moving Hens from the Widowhood Loft

If we can, a hen that has produced well in the widowhood loft is moved to the stock loft. Also, hens that are inclined to mate to other hens when separated from their mates, go either to the stock loft, or are eliminated.

Taken from Widowhood Flying

by Mark Gordon

Six Hours

Any youngsters which has flown more than six hours whether it was first home or an also ran should not go the following week.

Taken from Widowhood Flying
by Mark Gordon

Escheria Coli

The most common ailment developed by racing pigeons in a state of 'stress' is known as 'Escheria Coli'. This occurs when the bacteria in the intestines is brought into a state of imbalance, such as when 'stress' has robbed the bird of its appetite. Thus, an increase in Escheria Coli creates watery, green droppings, sometimes associated with a jelly-like substance. The next stage is 'Going Light' and if something is not done quickly the pigeon dies.

Taken from Ailments & Diseases of The Racing Pigeon

by Old Hand

Stress and The Racing Pigeon

'Stress' can bring on illness and death. Racing pigeons are not flying machines but thinking animals who are subject to mental upsets and reactions. They can fret over many things such as the loss of a mate, incarceration in the basket, irregular meals, the 'night out' when sitting eggs or squeakers, and so on. To fret is to worry and to worry unduly invariably leads to loss of appetite. You will have noticed that loss of appetite precedes most pigeon ailments and diseases.

Taken from The Ailments & Diseases of The Racing Pigeon

by Old Hand

Young Bird Hoppers

Hoppers are for pigs and maybe chickens, but not for pigeons. It's all right to feed your youngsters in hoppers to keep the grain off the floor and then remove the hopper as soon as they are fed, but to keep food in a hopper in front of them at all times is ridiculous. Racing pigeons must be conditioned (mentally and physically) for the races and kept under control.

Taken from Widowhood Flying

by Mark Gordon

Cold Rain

You do more harm than good by exercising your birds in a cold rain.

Taken from Widowhood Flying

by Mark Gordon

Twenty words or less TCC Loft Series

High Humidity

Humidity greater than 65% during the evening rest period is a major cause of stress. Essentially, the loft must provide a dry atmosphere without being dusty, while at the same time provide sufficient ventilation without exposing the birds to extremes of temperature and humidity. High humidity, apart from being stressful in itself, means that the droppings do not dry out overnight and, unless strict hygiene is applied, this provides an ideal environment for problems such as E. Coli and Coccidia.

Taken from the Flying Vet's Pigeon Health & Management

by Dr Colin Walker

Change in Weather

A sudden change in weather will throw birds off form quicker than anything, ensure corrections are made in the loft.

Taken from Widowhood Flying

by Mark Gordon

Twenty words or less TCC Loft series

Heat & Sun

Heat and sun are great helps for bringing on form. Give them all the sun they can get. I have never seen a pigeon move out of the sun into a shady spot.

Taken from Widowhood Flying

by Mark Gordon

Pedigree Conscious

We, in the English speaking world, are too pedigree conscious. We are too inclined to pay more attention to the pedigree than to the pigeon.

Taken from Widowhood Flying

by Mark Gordon

Twenty words or less TCC Loft series (the extra words are worth reading again)

When to Feed Protein

Now, what are proteins? What are carbohydrates? To be brief and simple, and not too technical, proteins build, carbohydrates provide energy. Applied to pigeons therefore, when they moult, when they grow (youngsters) or when they feed growing youngsters, they must have protein. But when they work they must have energy and therefore require carbohydrates.

Taken from Widowhood Flying

by Mark Gordon