YOUNG BIRD TRAINING

YOUNG BIRD TRAINING
The first phase of training the birds is for the handler to train them self. Establishing a workable schedule whereby there is constancy of actions. For the birds to know what to expect from you at given times of the day contributes to their security. They will know what time of the day they fly, when feed will be their, the loft will be cleaned, etc. You will find the birds quickly adapt to your routine and will greet you in different ways when you enter the loft. If it's time to let them loft fly many will be sitting where they exit the loft waiting for you.

The key to future old bird race results is in the young birds. Good habits they acquire early will stay with them. The bad will be hard to change. As example if your birds develop a habit of landing on any building other than your loft time is lost in clocking on race day. They do have a natural tendency to want to land on the highest building in the loft area first. The only way to discourage them is to be there and chase them off the roof. I use a piece of 2 x 3 about 18” long that I toss in the air at the side of the building. If the darn thing lands on the roof out comes the ladder. Some use a ball, stones and even ice cubes will work. I find that something as big as what I use gets them off in a hurry.

After the birds are flying around the loft, start routing and before the first training toss it's advisable to basket train them. That simply means three of four times prior to starting the road training basket the birds and release them close to the loft. I use a picnic table about 20 feet in front of the loft. The reason for doing this is so they leave the basket in one group. Prior to my doing that it has happened that one or two would stay behind in the basket. Most often it would be the youngest. The chances are good that they could be lost if they aren't with the main group.

Also before shipping the first race the birds should have a few nights in the basket prior to the morning training. This allows the birds to become accustom to what they will experience in the races.

Always train to feed. The birds should be hungry when released and know that feed and water is waiting for them at the loft. Once they have that message they will trap quickly on their return. Many flyers have a special treat waiting for them. Some use peanuts, pick stone, or seeds they like and only see on return from training and races.

The object of training is to fine tune the birds natural navigation system and develop the desired habits on return to the loft. Primarily to trap without delay. By the time training starts they already know where home is. Training is the time when they learn to apply their natural homing gift and are conditioned physically and mentally in preparation for the races. The more they are trained the better is their chance of giving a good result in the races.

It's advisable to start on sunny days with little head wind. Later after they are accustomed to leaving the basket and orientating home cloudy days should not be a problem for them especially if there is a little sun peaking through. Prior to opening the training baskets the birds should be allowed to see the sky at the release point for a few minutes. You will notice if you do this they will circle less at the release point before heading home.

The first two released for my birds is about two miles from the loft. Next two at about 5 or 6 miles, increasing two releases at each 10 mile jump until I have them at the furthest point which is 50 miles. In between group tossing and after I reach 30 miles they receive a few small group releases, 3 to 5 birds at a time as an attempt to change some of the flock followers into leaders, The last pre race toss is at about 80 miles early in the week of the first race.

After the races start they receive two or three trips a week at 40 miles.

Its a lot of driving as they are trained almost every day the weather permits. Following this program has resulted in very few birds being lost and respectable results in the races. Racing pigeons should be seen as athletes and therefore diet and conditioning are extremely important if good results are to be realized. The birds can only return what they are given. If they receive the tools to overcome the obstacles of their flight they will.

Some things to look for when a pigeon is coming to form:

1. It will be alert looking good, feeling good, The feathers will shine and be smooth.
2. The white part of the beak known as the "Crust" in some areas as the "Wattle" should be chalk white and soft to the touch.
3. Separate the breast feathers. When training first starts the bird will most often have a very light pink breast with white scales. As it comes into form the color will darken gradually until it is almost a plumb color and the scales are gone.
4. Observe the birds feet at the start of training and as they come to form. You should see that less dirt will attach to them and the color will improve becoming brighter.
5. The eye "The window of the soul" will be clear and bright. I am not an eyesign person but one thing I have observed has to do with the "circle of correlation". First a picture indicating the generally accepted parts of the racing pigeon eye.
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Often as a bird is trained and raced the darker and heavy area of the circle of correlation moves from a lower eye position (1) slowly to position 2 and eventually to about position 3. At position three some birds can appear as if they are cross eyed or looking straight down the center of the beak. I have seen several pigeons with the circle of correlation in this position finish on the top on race day. Both mine and those of friends.

The eye diagram and picture above are both the work of Andy Skrobot who has La Tour Des Maritimes Futurity. I did modify the lower eye by adding the 1,2&3. It is the eye of the overall and long distance winner of the 2002 race series. The bird was bred by Jeff Mawbey of B.C. Canada. Visit the site and observe the picture of the bird and look carefully at the eye. The picture will reveal how some bird's eye will look when in great condition. There he is focused on Andy taking the picture but imagine if he is focused on going home. Even in the picture you can see what I am referring to. If picture was taken in front instead of the side the bird would look cross eyed. The pupil close to the front of the eye socket.

If you can contribute suggestions that might help out the new people to the sport please do. It can be as a note in the guest book or email. I'll add it to the site with source credit.