It is advisable to maintain about 4 lines within the family; even five or six lines are good if you have the room but four works fine. You keep these lines separate and maintain them through flying and breeding. You can use these lines to cross to one another when needed.
You can maintain a line pretty well with four legs for 15-20 years without too much complication. After that you may need to add some blood to spark up the genes again. When looking for new blood, remember it took you a long time to get where you are so bringing in inferior blood would not be an acceptable option.
Find someone that has built a loft of consistent birds that match your philosophy on what constitutes a great racer. They may not click the first mating. Sometimes they click right from the start and sometimes it may be the grandchildren that kick it in high gear.
Remember also that in the beginning it is like casting a net for fish. You may not get anything worth keeping on the first few tosses. You try many times and only keep the best. After the family is established your main attention should be in your family and not chasing rainbows by continuing to buy pigeons from different families. You will never gain the true satisfaction of building a family of consistent pigeons unless you stay the course.
Every time you bring in new birds you bring in a whole host of new genetic material to weed through. The more of this type of weeding through process you have, the less serious time you give to your line. There is nothing wrong with trying a lot of pigeons on the start to find out what suites you but after that move forward with your line. If you continue to purchase pigeons and play the addiction to acquiring new blood game you will be destined to fly other peoples work. This is fine for some but not for a true stock man.
Many will tell stories of brothers to the champ being the best producer. This is a sign that the family is not established. In an established family the champions will produce the best. This is evidence of a family built from top class proven champions. Once you learn what a champ looks like you begin to recognize some of the traits. You can see confidence in the expression of the bird. Nothing beats a real air proven warrior.
Enjoy your quest and remember it is for your enjoyment, have fun.
Building Consistency (part 6 of 6) – Conclusion by Ken Easley
The Leading Online Pigeon Racing and Racing Pigeons Magazine – The Pigeon Insider
Hello,
I’m also curious about the answers to Gregory Brooks,and if is suited to breed half brothers.
thank you.
Hi
In Pakistan (Punjab, Bahawal pur Area)here pigeons are not racing from march to october due summer season. here fancier stop to flying there pigeons.in our area few of peoples have racing pigeons like you. here colourful pigeons are available. they are flying in the form of golle like you. but here fancier play game they send there pigeons (50 to 60) mixed wuth the other fancier pigeons then call cameon and catch the other pigeons. if you see this game go to http://www.youtube.come and search pigeons in multan. see the slide of (Khan Pathan Pigeon). Dear chris i have flying (50 racing pigeons like you. i study you all article but in these article i can,t found formula for racing. i want my pigeons go 3 to 5 kilometer like electric from my home and then come back.for this purpose if u want to help me and send the nutraction food and other things. plz. send me in detail.
Thanking you
Tour,s Truly
Aamir
Pakistan (Punjab,Bahawal Nagar)
Hello to Ken Easley,
I enjoy reading your observations and opinions including recent writing on breeding consistency. “How do you keep lines separate in the family?” Are the lines divided, or housed separately? Could you elaborate on what might be considered breeding too closely and where’s the line, if any, not to cross? What crosses have you found tend to be most desireable? In addition to breeding “line” and winner to winner, what characteristics do you like to match up? Are there diverse characteristics you tend to balance- do you like to breed large to small and such?