Our new product manager for pigeon feed, Robert Maaß, is among the top breeders in Germany. The sports enthusiast tells us how he prepares his pigeons for the journey and what thoughts he has before starting the new season to end up on the podium.
Tip 1: Free flight and initial training
The winter rest is over, and a new pigeon year begins. Now I have to get my carrier pigeons back in shape. In winter, I could only give my pigeons sporadic free flights. On the one hand, the weather rarely cooperated, and on the other hand, I often had visits from birds of prey. So the pigeons mostly stayed in the loft and aviary. However, they have put on a bit too much fat. So I switched my feed to a light diet mix from Mifuma. The Fitness mix is very suitable for this. The all-round mix with barley and paddy rice is very high-quality, composed with the components Top Corn and Vollkraft Pearl. However, to ensure the pigeons have enough energy for daily training, I mixed in 50% of my carrier pigeon travel feed Elite Racing. The Elite Racing already contains the Aktiv Pearl, which additionally promotes form and flight joy with L-Carnitine. With this recipe, I got the pigeons to train very well, and they quickly built up good condition. However, I was still very cautious during the first free flights. They were allowed to fly their rounds without compulsion and fly as long as they wanted. This prevented wing injuries. If the pigeons are overwhelmed right at the beginning, it can quickly lead to crooked flyers. I definitely want to avoid that. I gradually increased the training so that they now train for an hour a day. My pigeons are already in very good condition. This is also evident from their shiny and smooth plumage. The breast meat is pink and scale-free. That's how it should be!
Tip 2: Loft management and feeding
At the beginning of April, I pair my pigeons a second time. During this time, I start with distance training. It has the advantage for me that I can basket all pigeons from one loft and do not have to separate the pigeons again after the training flight. Here I rely on my many years of experience. If the weather is right, I now take my animals on distance every day. I increase the distances from 10 km to 60 km - thus the flight times also become steadily longer. My feeding still consists of Mifuma Fitness and my travel mix Elite Racing. However, I gradually reduce the proportion of Fitness. Since I play my pigeons according to the dry widowhood system, they are separated again after six days of breeding time. If everything goes well, this is right after the first pre-flight. I then take the travel hens from the loft on the evening of the flight day and place them in the hen compartment. The cocks are allowed to incubate their clutch until they get up from the nest on their own. Only then do I remove the nest bowls from the loft. From the first prize flight, my travel pigeons receive only Elite Racing. Both hens and cocks are supplied equally. I play my pigeons totally, so both cocks and hens are sent.
Tip 3: Care of young pigeons
From weaning on, my young pigeons receive Breeding and Molting Special Class. The breeding pigeons have already fed their young with this high-quality mix. It contains everything I value in nutrition during rearing - such as the fatty components hemp, corn, and sunflower seeds, as well as a basic supply of vitamins and minerals from the Vollkraft Pearl. I want to avoid a feed change for the young pigeons. In this mix, they find everything they need to grow up. Even after weaning, young pigeons continue to develop. Soon the molting of the small feathers begins. The pigeons need enough protein for the feathers to develop well. They get this in a high-quality and easily digestible form with the Power Peas. Once all pigeons are weaned, they are vaccinated with the RP vaccine against young pigeon disease. After three weeks, they receive the second vaccination. The first round of my young pigeons is already in free flight. The young ones are already diligently flying their first rounds around the house and have also started to explore the surrounding area. They receive two hours of free flight a day in which they can do as they please. They should develop carefree. I also like to see them running around on the lawn in front of the pigeon loft. Later, they are only allowed to do this rarely. Gradually, I start preparing the young hopefuls for their upcoming tasks. I regularly place them in a transport basket and let them fly in front of the loft after an hour. This way, they get to know the basket and know that they can come out when the flaps are opened. Drinking through the bars is also important and they should learn it early on. In the loft, I have a "HerWi Drinker" standing. This way, they learn to take in water through bars, as is common in the cabin express. From the end of March to June 21, the day of the summer solstice, I darken my young pigeons. This is to prevent them from molting their flight feathers. This way, they still have a full wing for the competitions and are more powerful. They are darkened from 5:00 PM in the afternoon to 6:00 AM the next morning. From June 22, they are then illuminated from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. This way, the pigeons really get into shape and can shine on the young bird flights.
Tip 4: Selection of travel pigeons
All pigeons that are physically healthy get a chance with me as young pigeons. However, if a pigeon is sick and cannot recover on its own, I remove it from the loft. Selection based on health is the most important selection for me in pigeon sport. According to my findings, health is the foundation for being successful in carrier pigeon sport. If the entire stock is ill, I also treat my pigeons with medication, of course. However, always according to the treatment plan of the veterinarian. I don't think much of blind cures. If the pigeons are healthy, they don't need medication. Much more important here is a well-functioning loft system and a supply of high-quality pigeon feed and by-products.
Tip 5: My personal tip
In spring and between the shorter distance flights, it is important to build up the pigeons' condition. However, if the flights become longer, it doesn't hurt to give the pigeons some rest. Especially when the distances become greater, they demand quite a bit of energy from the pigeons. So it's better to keep the flights closed one or even two days before setting them and give the pigeons enough time to regenerate. They will thank you with early prizes.
I wish all sports friends a good start to the new travel season.
Robert Maaß