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Here is the management at "Harveys Racing Pigeon Loft". Harvey’s Racing Pigeon Loft

Introduction:

“Harvey’s Racing Pigeon Loft” was foundered in 2002 with about 12 stock pairs in the breeding loft, mostly of various crosses. I have gone great lengths to get the best birds possible for breeding and racing. My loft in currently 12X12 and houses my breeders and young birds.

The Birds:

As it was said earlier the birds are mainly crosses of Janssens, Van Loons,Silver Toye, with the exception of a hand full of other strains. Of the 25-30 stock birds 90% of them were bred by local flyers from N.S and N.B. The breeding loft is split into 2 parts; one side has the nest boxes which houses the cocks, and the other the hens. I pair the birds up on March 1st (sometimes I will put s few together earlier to be ready for a early race), at this time the hens are put in to the cocks nest box and are left to pair up. The young birds are taken from the parents at about 4 weeks and placed in the young birds loft.

Flying System:

I do not fly any special systems with young birds or old birds, the young birds are flown natural, the only thing motivating them to come home is food, water and a nice place to sleep at night. The old birds are left to pair up and lay as they wish, only one bird of each pair is sent to each race this gives the birds more push to come home, as they know there mate/eggs will be there waiting for them.

Feed/Feeding:

Every part in the loft has it’s own feed, the breeders are fed only a 17% Protein Laying Hen Pellet. By feeding this the young in the nest get all they need to grow nice and big and healthy, it also keeps the breeders from going light when feeding the young. The breeders always have a full feeder of pellets in front of them at all times, this makes it so the babies always have a full crop. The Young Birds are fed the same pellets as the breeders and also a mix of grain , they are fed this until they finish there trap training after that the pellets are taken away, this is done because the young birds tread to get stresses when they are taken away from there parents and may go light without the pellets. As for the Old Birds they are fed no pellets at all, only a mix of grain much like the Young Birds but less in fat.

Training:

As said earlier the Young Birds are taken from the breeding loft at about 4-5 weeks(or when ever they are eating and drinking on there own). At this time they are put in the young bird loft with water and food waiting for them, a day or two later when they have got the idea the where the food and water is they are placed on the landing board in a settling cage with the trap covered, make sure they are hungry when you do this. I will leave them on there for most of the day to look around, that afternoon I uncover the trap and start to call them in, I do this by whistling and shaking a can of feed. Most of the time they should come running through the trap but some of the younger ones may need a little push the first couple times. I will do this until most of the birds are starting to test out there wings in the loft then I will left up the trap and let them come and go are they please. Then after a while I will make sure they are all out and then I will call them in. The first time not all the birds will trap right away but in most should(some may stay out all night the first time out). The birds should be flying for about 45 minutes to an hour and routing for about 10-15 before I take them on there first toss. Ryan

Email: pigeonrh@yahoo.com