Feeding Pigeons During Weaning- Feed & Medication Program For Young Birds in Training
Success with racing pigeons in a young bird racing series starts with good, healthy birds and a proper feed and medication program. Assuming you have good breeders that produce healthy, well developed young birds that potentially will handle the tough style of racing in Taiwan, the following feed and medication program starting at weaning age (26-30 days old) should assist to continue good health and success during the race series.
Before placing young birds (26-30 days old) in the flying section, it should be completely sanitized with loft disinfectant, along with all feeders and water containers at least 2 times, before you place the birds into the section. Keep the section free of all birds until the young birds are ready to move into the sanitized section. You should sanitize the Loft at least once a week until the race series is over.
WEANING PERIOD: Young birds 26-30 days old are removed from the breeding section and placed in the flying section with birds of all the same age. Feed and water should be placed in the loft at all times for the first 5 days.
FEED: 15-17% protein mixture (several different grains) at least 12-18 different types of seed. Fresh grit. Pigeon pellets 21-28% protein.
WATER: Contains vitamins, minerals and electrolytes with medication of Aureomycin, Sulmet and Ridzol.
MIXTURE #1. 1 gallon of water with the following:
- 1 teaspoon of vitamins
- 1 teaspoon of minerals / electrolytes
- 1 teaspoon of liquid Sulmet
- 1/2 teaspoon of aureomycin concentrate
- 1/2 teaspoon of Ridzol
Give the above mixture full strength for 5 days and free choice of feed.
If out of area birds are placed in the loft (birds bred at other lofts and shipped to your loft) they must be placed on the above schedule before being introduced to your birds. Give extra special attention to these new birds to see if they are adjusting to their new surroundings and are 100% healthy.
On 6th-10th days of weaning give the birds fresh water with 1 tablespoon of bleach or NOLVASAN in 1 gallon of water. Pellets and fresh grit at all times. Birds are feed 2 OR 3 TIMES a day with the same feed mixture, add extra safflower and few RAW SPANISH PEANUTS to each feeding and allow the birds to eat all they want at each feeding. Young birds in training should never miss a meal or be kept hungry or thirsty for any reason. There should be no stress placed on the birds because of food, drink or lodging. They will have enough stress during the race series. We need to provide a stress free environment in the loft at all times.
Healthy birds will like to take a bath 1 or 2 times a week. Place a bath pan in the loft on a nice sunny day with 2 tablespoons of bleach in the water. If the birds are not healthy or feeling just right, they will not take a bath or preen themselves. Healthy birds always keep themselves clean.
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Feeding Pigeons During Weaning- Feed & Medication Program For Young Birds in Training – Weaning by Bob Prisco
well said, me, myself is also a believer in natural way, “nature law”
Hi Chris,
It is always good to receive mail from you.
I’m from Cape Town South Africa.
Your advice has help me alot this season,but seeing that my dad and I manage the he only believes in the NATURAL WAY.
Any tips for me for the new season 2013 with regards to energy boosters(Natural homemade mixers)?
HI Andrew, I just recently came across an old trick. Grape Juice.The kind to use is the frozen concentrate. Works well if you use it a couple days before the race, and then upon return if it was a tough race. Anyone else here used it?
OK SO THE ARTICLE,SAYS PUT BLEACH IN THE BATH ,I PREFER BATH SALTS,BUT MILTON S IS BABY sanitizing FORM OF BLEACH,A GOOD TIP IS TO HAVE A BUCKET OF WATER ADD ONE OR TWO TABLETS,THEN LEAVE YOUR WATER CONTAINERS IN FOR 24 HOURS, IF YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL TO WIN RACES,YOU MUST TRY TO KEEP YOUR BIRDS HEALTHY.THE PEOPLE AGAINST ANY TREATMENTS,WELL IF NOBODY TREATED THERE BIRDS YOU WOULD STILL BE A WINNER,BUT OVER TIME THE PIGEONS WOULD GO BACK TO BEING ROCK DOVES YOURS IN SPORT JOHN
Good info not sure about giving Bleach in the water[ What Does it Do To The Pigeons] ?
Hey Trev,
Check out this article on giving bleach and chlorine to your pigeons:
https://www.pigeonracingpigeon.com/menu/the-miracles-of-chlorine/
Many fanciers and I agree that it is not a good idea. The theory is that the bleach kills the bad bacteria in pigeons which illiminates sickness but bleach will also kill the good bacteria as well. Cleaning waterers with bleach is ok but I wouldn’t give it to your birds to drink.
Hello sir
thank you very much for reply thanks
i agree with the many comments. For me ” what’s dangerous to us, human, is also the same to the birds”. vaccination is fine but medication for preventive purpose is a big NO.
I am one who prefers less meds. I PMV, SAL-BAC & Pox before the YB season. Then thats it. I am starting to wonder if POX is really necessary. Meds. are only used if needed. I want my young to develope their own antibodies or they have to go. Last Y/B season(2010), I still ended up with 26p. 10 will be held for O/B yearlings after testing (FRF Standards), to fill out my O/B team of 34(total). I say less meds., less birds and more health. Let the basket do the picking.
P.S. Isn’t adding calcium(grit) and antibiotics at the same time a “No No” ? I am of the understanding that the calcium interferres with the antibiotics ability to be absorbed or something like that.
atta boy Mac