On this page, you'll find
extensive
information leading on Widowhood Pigeons information
and products to help you
on your way to success to find all you need about Racing
Pigeon Loft.
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On this page, you'll find
extensive
information leading on Widowhood Pigeons information
and products to help you
on your way to success to find all you need about Racing
Pigeon Loft.
Good general management, strain or family of birds housed, training, medications, weather, the ability of the individual fancier, and the elusive factor of luck All play their part, to name a few other factors related to success (or lack of). There is no doubt that grains high in protein are important components of rations for racing pigeons. They provide the building blocks of tissues throughout the body, and are important in the maintenance and repair of these tissues at all times of the year. Obviously this repair process requiring protein is a highly important function during the racing season because the breast muscles quite likely undergo various levels of wear and tear, depending on the severity of the races in which birds are entered. Hence, proteins are important variously, in preparing birds for the breeding season, in fertility and hatchability, in the growth and development of youngsters both before and after weaning, in the replacement and growth of feathers during the annual moult, plus their role in the repair functions just mentioned, etc.. Protein feeding certainly cannot be dismissed but does need to be put into the context of the activity of the birds, ie, breeding, rearing, racing, etc.. When birds are being prepared for the breeding season, during rearing and while youngster are growing and developing in the post-weaning period, higher levels of protein are needed to accomplish these important tasks. During the racing season, there is also a need for protein for repair and maintenance as noted, and also as a source of uric acid to help deal with overheating if races flown during very hot weather. If necessary, certain of the amino acids that make up proteins can also be converted in the body to glucose as an immediate source of energy or for conversion to fat. On the subject of very high levels of protein in diets for pigeons, I am reminded of some highly significant and relevant comments from the former Irish ace J Kilpatrick in his popular book, "The Thoroughbred Racing Pigeon", quote: "Some years ago I reared my first round of youngsters on a very fine lot of goa tares with a protein content of 28.6%. I never reared a better feathered or finer looking lot of youngsters. I could see nothing wrong with the condition of the old birds except, perhaps, that they were a trifle broader across the root of the tail than usual (which is a sign of internal fat), but as they were looking well, I took no notice of this. It was not until I started to lose them in short, easy races, and my best bird dropped dead in the loft that I became aware of the seriousness of the position brought about by feeding on this excessively high protein grain." Unquote. He goes on to say that he was able to save the situation in his old birds by making a drastic reduction in the proportion of protein in the diet. Mr Kilpatrick believed that the youngsters raised on this high protein diet were able to handle the situation because they were turning the protein from the diet into muscle, bone and feather - but he cautioned that, had he continued with this excessively rich feeding, their health would have suffered eventually. Sage advice from a master flyer and accompanied by a a warning from the past! We strive to provide only quality information, so if there is a specific topic related to Racing Pigeon Loft website that you would like us to cover, please contact us at any time. And again, thank you to those contributing daily to our Widowhood Pigeons website. << Return from Widowhood Pigeons page, back to Racing Pigeon Loft Home |