bath water

hot or cold bath? Do the birds prefer one over the other? Does it make any difference?

My choice is warm as I'd bath in myself, birds are into it as fast as I'm filling from the bucket. They aren't in and out but sit in there for ages. Just my choice like I say. Nothing added apart from cap full of vinegar. Bath on twice a week at the moment when possible.

not warm as such but chill is taken off with a kettle of boiling water added to the bath ...handful of salt and 50mil of vinegar is added

It would be interesting to know why adding viniger to bath water can in any way be advantageous to a pigeon, also salt.

Never seen a normal wild bird needing anything other than normal water, even muddy and almost freezing.

Far better and longer lasting feathers than mollycoddled pigeons.

Mine used to bath in the water fall all year round, even with snow on the ground at times.


We all have different ideas and are entitled to them, but it is not disputable that when the sport went continental and clinical so did the pigeons health go to pot.

Well over 200 aids to WIN on the market, pigeons treated like Robots etc;

Far too much none sense involved and little real respect for what is natural and in the pigeons best interests in the long run.

Regards.

It was an old fancier told me about vinegar (he's UK born and bred not continental) and well into his 80's now.
He still keeps a few birds and you will never see a better feathered, brilliantly shining flock of pigeons anywhere no matter where you go.
The vinegar leaves the feathers like silk, removes the scurf off the skin but most importantly helps keep the lice off without having to use sprays or powders etc.
Only talking about adding a small amount.

If it works for you barnie nowt to do with anyone else.

The old boys knew a thing or two and if it works for you nowt to do with anyone else.

Regards.

misty, same old guy feeds good percentage of chicken pellets when rearing a few youngsters, he says the parents drink more water than when feeding corn only, which is a good thing when rearing.
Like you say each to their own.

These were in the bath this morning.......

Nothing wrong with those beauties oldstrain, although beauty is only skin deep.

My pigeons always had a fair amount of bloom had to be careful what you wore when handling.

I was always as interested in showing as racing and all show birds hold a fair amount of natural bloom.

Also all healthy pigeons.

My first concern has always been that the pigeons enjoy their life as near as natural as possible, regard their home as a safe haven and reluctant to be away for long.

As I have said many times some have made elephants dance, but look how they were treated, the means do not always justify the ends.

Exacatly the same applies to pigeon racing.

It is how as importanras what.

Aldi bath crystals in the water lavender or eucalyptus birds love it and they smell nice

Do me a favour Barnie, don’t enter those 2 into the online shows.
Cheers mate

Pigeon bloom is a waxy powder that coats a pigeons feathers, it must have a reason for being there.

To remove it may make the pigeon look better but deprive it of of the benifit it provides and may contribute to losses in rainy weather when racing.

My pond was sometimes almost covered in bloom when a number of pigeons had a bath.

If left alone and they have access to a means of bathing they will only bath when they feel it necessary and maintain the amount of bloom nature intended.

Bloom will be more evident the more small seeds used.

Regards.

Boosey wrote:

Do me a favour Barnie, don’t enter those 2 into the online shows.
Cheers mate

Boosey I think the camera flash flatters them a bit to be honest but they are finishing the moult nicely, cheers!

they look great colin ....i use vinegar and salt for the creepy crawlies (lice or mite)

Now come on barnie, a bit of air brushing ????.

Regards.

MISTY wrote:

Now come on barnie, a bit of air brushing ????.

Regards.

Don't be daft fella, I wouldn't know where to start. £40 phone, point and press automatic flash. I'm no expert otherwise why do you think the feet and rings are out of focus.....?

Woops, only a joke barnie, do not get your knickers in a twist.

Regards.

Boosey wrote:

Do me a favour Barnie, don’t enter those 2 into the online shows.
Cheers mate

your scrubbers Boosey must be like mine etc . That being said thou well done Colin a lovely pair of youngsters there & certainly something to be proud of I suggest.

Had another look at the pair barnie.

Would like to see the eyes more closely, both appear to have above average eye sign.

Have a go at getting a clos up.

Males things more interesting.

Regards.

i always put salt and vinegar in the bath water, supposed to kill mites / fleas etc .......

i also put it in the pigeons bath water too ........

David wrote:

i always put salt and vinegar in the bath water, supposed to kill mites / fleas etc .......

i also put it in the pigeons bath water too ........

Good one!

Only thing I used for stock pigeons baths which were always available was permagnagate of potash, or condeys crystals

Stopped being able to get it.

Many fanciers used it years ago.

Regards.

Only thing I used for stock pigeons baths which were always available was permagnagate of potash, or condeys crystals

Stopped being able to get it.

Many fanciers used it years ago.

Regards.

MISTY wrote:

Had another look at the pair barnie.

Would like to see the eyes more closely, both appear to have above average eye sign.

Have a go at getting a clos up.

Males things more interesting.

Regards.

OK Will try next weekend, dark both sides of the working day now unfortunately and gets worse once clocks change

halcanada81 wrote:

David wrote:

i always put salt and vinegar in the bath water, supposed to kill mites / fleas etc .......

i also put it in the pigeons bath water too ........

Good one!

Good lad David

Misty you can still get it on EBay

Thanks Boosey, a bit late now for me, would not have thought of using lap top in those days, did get chemist to get me some until they could not get it.

Always thought to keep things as simple as possible was the method.

Regards.