3 Key Nutrients For Pigeon Racing

There are three major nutrients need for an healthy racing pigeon. They are: Fats, carbohydrates, and protein. All three of these are essential for a pigeons health and should be taken seriously to make sure they are getting the required amounts. Protein is an amazing nutrient for breeding pigeons. This is because protein helps build, maintain and repair muscles and other tissues. This helps pigeons prepare for breeding, improving the fertility and hatch-ability. Protein also allows the youngsters to have improved growth and increased development of other areas. It has been proven that a 18% mix of protein in pigeon feed is the ideal amount, in pigeon racing. Anymore than 18% doesn't do any harm but doesn't have any improvements. Fats are essential for sustained flight. And we are talking about good fats, not the kind that us, humans eat and make us obese. The fat that racing pigeons eat help them store energy, so for long distance races they don't run out of energy half way. They can access this fat they have stored to provide energy throughout the whole race. Fat slowly releases the energy over a long period, in very small amounts. Carbohydrates are great for short bursts of energy. They are actually the simple and complex sugars found in pigeon feed. These sugars are not really stored in the body like fats are. Carbohydrates are for immediate energy, and for short term. In the first 10 minutes of flying, pigeons have burned up most of their carbohydrates, so that is why it is important to have fats in racing pigeon feed for long distance races. For short distance pigeon racing, carbohydrates is all that is needed to get them from start to finish so you don't need to feed them as much fat, as it will slow them down. This is why it is so important to know what your feeding your pigeons, and to train them properly. It is why most pigeon fanciers never win races. Of course there are many more nutrients to know about and educate yourself about to gain an advantage in the sky with pigeon racing. But these 3 are key to have success. Without them, it will be hard to go up against pigeons that are ready to go with the proper amounts of carbohydrates and fats. So don't stop at this one article, continue reading, continue learning and you will become more and more successful. Good luck!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Pigeon Control Methods

1. Fake Owl Statues: Owls are natural predators and pigeons are scared of them. This natural fear can be exploited and a life size statue of an owl can be installed on top a building to keep the pigeons away. The biggest advantage of this method is that, it is very cost effective. The disadvantage of this is technique is that, although it is effective, it provides only temporary relief from the pigeon problem. This is because the fake owl statue does not move and pigeons soon realize that it does not pose any real threat to them. 2. Bird Spikes: Bird spikes, which appear like sharp needles are devices that are specifically designed to scare away the pigeons and other pest birds. Pigeon spikes are easy to install. They cause great discomfort to pigeons and prevent them form nesting. However, they provide only a temporary solution to the problem. The biggest disadvantage of using bird spikes is that, their installation may cause a considerable amount of damage to the property. 3. Bird Nets: Bird nets made of nylon or fiber can be spread along with screws and hooks over the house roof to trap the birds. It is one of the most preferred pigeon control methods. A major disadvantage with this technique is that, the pigeons can peck the net and break free. Thus, it does not offer a permanent solution. 4. Sound Deterrents: Sound deterrents that available in the market make different kinds of sounds such as those of gunshot, hawk sounds and firecrackers to scare away the pigeons. The only disadvantage of sound deterrents is that, their continuous exposure can be a nuisance to the humans. Overview: Pigeon droppings, feathers, and other waste materials that pigeons use to build their nests can not only demean the property worth, but can also cause health complications. Pigeons can be lethal, as they carry various bacteria that spread fatal diseases. Therefore, it is very important to adopt a suitable pigeon control method after weighing its pros and cons.

Pigeon Racing 101 - Understanding the Condition of Young Birds

There are definitely a lot of reasons why you will fall in love with pigeon racing. It could be that you are by nature a bird-lover or that you easily get smitten by the draw of competition and the adrenaline rush that is associated to this sport. Whatever your reasons are for wanting to become a true blue fancier, you will definitely find training your young birds an exhilarating experience. At the end of the day, you will have the drive to discover every possible opportunity to prepare and train your young birds to become big winners. You will logically have to bring your youngsters as close as possible to the starting point of race competitions. You should not worry whether your youngsters will be able to cover the distance during your run-up preparation for the race or not. For the seasoned and experienced fanciers, the ability of their racing pigeons to find their way home is more important than their physical ability to cover the distance. This is probably the single most important element of pigeon racing that you have to take into account. While it is true that fitness and health are important, these will all go for naught if your youngster will not be able to find the right way back home. You have to remember that your birds will set off without a hitch and separate from the pack if you are able to boost their confidence. You can make this happen if you can bring them as near as possible to first race point. This is one of the best practices of pigeon racing that you must develop and adopt. Of course, for the initial races of young racing pigeons, you will encounter quite a number of birds which have not had sufficient training and experience. This means that disruptions in the pack are most likely to happen and this can sow confusion and set off a lot of birds in every direction except the right one. So, if you want your young birds to start on the right foot (or right wing?), you need to work on their ability to read the territory and find the right direction back home. Of course, you have to make sure that they have enough gas to cover the distance. Once you get to your third or fourth race, most of the youngsters that are entered in the racing competition will definitely have gained enough experience. This means that your young birds will be competing in a level playing field. However, be it the first, second or even the third racing competition, your chances of winning and your level of competitiveness will have to be worked on based on these critical aspects that need to be covered during the training and preparation of your young birds. Young as they are, you will have to rely more on the quality of training and preparation that you will give them. Once they are able to gain confidence through positive reinforcements, your young birds will be able to develop a genuine winning form. Pigeon racing is a rich combination of due diligence, persistence and love for the sport. Remember the key elements in turning your young birds to big winners - proper training and positive experience. Once you are able to cover these elements, you are surely off to a good start.

How to Train a Homing Pigeon

Steps 1 Make sure you have a homing and/or racing pigeon. Other pigeons are for show and will not fly back from long distances 2 Build a loft that a pigeon can enter. 3 Make sure there is a large opening, in which they can fly into. This should be predator-proof, though. You should be able to lock the bird/s away for it's own safety. 4 Keep your pigeon in that enclosed space without letting it out for about 4 weeks. Feed it healthy food at least 2 times a day (once in the morning and once before they go to sleep), but be careful not to overfeed it. 5 After about 4 weeks, take your pigeon out, and push it through the opening. Do this repeatedly until it's able to go in by itself. 6 Once your birds recognize that their loft is their home, it will symbolize safety and security for them. They may go in and out of the loft repeatedly when you let them out. 7 For flying breeds such as homing pigeons or rollers, you can let the pigeons fly away, and they will return within a few hours. 8 If you do not have a homing and/or racing pigeon (if you have a fancy pigeon, for example), you can just let them out and they will return. The next step is for homing pigeons only. 9 After about 2 weeks, the bird/s will have flown all over and gotten to know it's neighborhood. You can start taking the bird to a set location about a mile away. Go North, South, East, and West so they know how to come back from all directions. Do this a few times and then start doing it progressively farther and farther. You can begin by going one mile away from the loft at first, then two miles, then five miles, then ten miles, etc. Homing pigeons will do well up to about 50 miles away. They have been known to come home from farther locations but usually this is for extraordinary birds only.A true racing homer will return from hundredsof miles.

Pet Doves-Information about doves.

Common Name: Dove, Pigeon Scientific Name: Doves are in the family Columbidae and encompass over 300 separate species. The most commonly recognized dove -- the white dove, as pictured to the right -- is actually the most common of over 40 different color mutations of the Ringneck Dove, or Streptopelia risoria. Origin: While Ringneck Doves such as the white Dove shown originally hail from Africa, other Dove species originate from places all over the world. For example, Fruit Doves are endemic to Australia while Mourning Doves are one of the most prolific and widely recognized wild bird species in North America Size: While different species of Doves come in different sizes, as a general rule, most types of doves fall between 8 and 12 inches in length from the beak to the tips of the tailfeathers Average Lifespan:Temperament: Tame, domesticated, handfed Doves are known for their sweet and gentle dispositions. Unlike parrots, softbills such as Doves have a reputation for rarely trying to bite or otherwise put up a fuss with their beaks. Some doves can be a bit more nervous with people than others, but this can often be calmed by utilizing positive socialization and bonding techniques. Because of their largely peaceful nature, pet Doves can be a good choice as a pet for older children who understand the need to be calm and gentle with companion animals. Colors: Pet Doves can come in a rainbow of colors and color combinations. As mentioned above, there can even be a wide variety of color mutations to be found within a single Dove species. The most commonly recognized pet dove colors are often white, gray, or a combination of the two with various species-specific markings. Feeding: In the wild, most Dove species subsist on a diet comprised mainly of fruits, berries, and seeds. Some species have been known to ingest the occasional insect, but the vast majority of Doves thrive on a vegetarian diet. Pet Doves in captivity seem to do best on a high quality seed mix (often marketed as a diet safe for Doves, Pigeons, or Parakeets) supplemented with millet, commercial pellets formulated for softbills, and a variety of fresh, bird-safe fruits and vegetables. Exercise: Like all birds, Doves need plenty of exercise. To maintain your Dove's health and physical condition, it is recommended that you allow it to come out of the cage into a safe, "bird-proofed" area so that it can stretch its legs, wings, and fly around for a bit for a minimum of one hour per day. Be sure that your Dove is always closely supervised during out-of-cage playtime, as these birds can often run into trouble if they encounter common household hazards. Doves as Pets: Beautiful, charming, and easy to care for, Doves make excellent pets for those who are interested in owning a pet bird, but don't quite feel ready to take on a more difficult pet such as a parrot species. Noted for their gentle dispositions and quiet, soothing vocalizations, Doves have been cited as an excellent choice as a pet for both young and older bird lovers. While they do, like any pet bird, require plenty of attention and socialization, Doves seem to be more naturally suited to interacting with humans than some other bird species, and tend to be easier for novice bird owners to tame and bond with. While they don't typically display the comical antics of the hookbill species, Doves have charming personalities and with proper care can offer their owners many years of entertainment, love, and companionship. If you are interested in adopting a pet dove of your own, try contacting a local Dove breeder to talk about what it's like to share your day to day life with one of these birds. See if you can set up an appointment to meet with them and their pets, and you'll be able to get a better feel for whether or not a keeping a pet dove is compatible with your family and lifestyle. With proper care, captive pet doves can live for as long as 10 to 25 years of age

SOME OF THE WIDE VARIETY OF CHOICES IN THE PIGEON WORLD

Kizoa slideshow: CPFA Slide Show - Slideshow

Racing Pigeon Feed - Fun Facts About Food

Usually when I talk about racing pigeon feed, I go on about the mixtures that are important in the different seasons of pigeon racing. But today I want to talk more individual foods that help pigeons health, and their racing abilities. Peanuts are great to put into your racing pigeon feed, especially during racing season. If your pigeons race long distances, peanuts are even more effective for that. But you must remember that peanuts must be the natural ones, not salted or flavoured. Peanuts contain a good amount of carbohydrates, and proper fats to store energy. For long distance racing this comes in handy, because with the stored energy, your pigeon can race much longer, and at a fast rate. This food blew me away. To be truthful, I thought it was a joke when I first heard about it. So I did my due diligence and did some research. It seems that this little fact was true so I tried it with my racing pigeons. And guess what it is true. Garlic is actually really good for your pigeons health. I know garlic right! Who knew? But if you actually stop to think about it, garlic is a healthy food for us humans, it helps stop blood from clotting, and can have a temporarily antibiotic effect in our digestive tract. For racing pigeons it can have the same effect. It also acts as a blood purifier, removing toxins from their blood. There is a proper way to serve garlic to your pigeons. You can buy garlic in liquid form, but sometimes that isn't the best option because the way it is processed into a liquid can eliminate the live enzymes and nutrients that make the garlic useful to us and our racing pigeons. It depends on the company that produces it. But I can say that the best way that I have found and read about is taking garlic cloves, crushing them, and then adding it directly into the drinking water of the pigeons. No boiling is necessary. This is something you can do to help improve the health of your pigeon. Well there you have it. Two great foods that you can use into your racing pigeon feed. One for increased energy in racing, which hopefully will result in more races being won. And one for improved health, which is a hidden gem. Try them out and let me now what results you get!