Our product manager for pigeons, Robert Maaß, is known to be a successful breeder himself with a lot of experience - even when it comes to the development of young birds after weaning. He shares his advice on vaccinations, loft management, muscle building, and the right feed for the young birds.
1. Health
The young pigeon flights are approaching. You should only start the new young bird season with healthy and well-prepared young pigeons. This definitely includes ensuring that all young birds have received at least the mandatory vaccination against paramyxovirus (PMV). My pigeons have been vaccinated twice at three-week intervals with the RP vaccine (a combination vaccine against Rotavirus A and pigeon paramyxovirus) for several years. I have had good experiences with this and hardly any problems with young pigeon disease. Before the season, I also recommend having a fecal sample examined by a veterinarian. If the result is negative, everything is fine. If the result is positive, you should treat your animals according to the veterinarian's treatment plan. If young pigeons do not train well at home, I also recommend a respiratory examination by the veterinarian. After all, a healthy immune system is the basis for successful racing pigeons.
2. Lighting
From June 21, the longest day of the year, I light my young pigeons. Lighting means that I turn on additional light in my young bird loft from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The lighting is controlled by a dimmer with a timer. Lighting delays molting, especially the molting of the primary feathers. Additionally, the hormonal balance is influenced. The young birds get into good shape and train better.
3. Training the Young Pigeons
To ensure our homing pigeons always find their way home safely, they must be well-trained. Training is therefore very important. To get the young pigeons into good condition beforehand, it is advisable to stretch the racing feed, such as Elite Racing, Grand Prix, or Top Young Pigeon, before the young pigeon race. Fitness from Mifuma is excellent for this purpose. Once the young birds start pulling well at home, you can confidently begin distance training. Initially, it is important for the pigeons to get to know the training basket. Therefore, it is sufficient at first to let the young pigeons start from a short distance (1-2 km). This distance can then be increased daily, so that after a short time you reach 30 km. Once the pigeons complete this distance safely, you can extend the distances even further. Additionally, you can train the young pigeons according to the wind rose principle. This gives them even more security should they get lost.
4. Individual Training
If you have the opportunity and can take the time, you should also train your young birds with individual releases. Here, each pigeon must orient itself to find its way home. You let each pigeon start individually and wait some time before releasing the next one. Initially, young pigeons often find it difficult to start the journey home alone. It is an unfamiliar situation for them. Additionally, pigeons are flock flyers. However, I am convinced that the effort is worth it, as each pigeon must figure out how to find the fastest way to its home loft. Here too, I recommend not choosing a distance that is too far for the first release. 10-15 km is sufficient. The distance can also be increased in further individual training.
5. Properly Caring for the Young
All supplements that the pigeons receive during the young bird season should be familiar to them beforehand. My young pigeons receive VitaloTop, Blitzform, and Carni-Speed over the drinker for a whole week each. This way, they get used to the taste, and I can be sure during the season that they receive everything for a form boost and a healthy gut. Shortly before the travel season with the young pigeons starts, they receive Hexenbier over the feed for two weeks. The mixture is dried with K and K Protein 3000. This way, the pigeons get into proper form and build muscle. After the old bird season ends, I train my young pigeons in the morning and afternoon for about an hour each. Those who train a lot must also be well-supplied. Therefore, from this point on, my young pigeons receive only my own feed Elite Racing. This mixture is very energy-rich and gives the young pigeons what they need now. Of course, Mifuma also offers other high-quality young bird feeds such as Top Young Pigeon.
6. Methods
If you have at least two young bird lofts, you can play your young pigeons using the sliding door method. Here, the young pigeons are separated by gender. However, the effort is somewhat greater, as the young pigeons must also be trained separately. I myself only have one young bird loft with enough seating options. This system also works very well. As motivation, my young pigeons receive peanuts and Aktiv Perle daily after training.
Mifuma Feed for All Pigeons
Mifuma's range includes pigeon feed for breeding, rearing, and racing. If you want to continue informing yourself, you can find here an overview of the entire feed concept.
