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Articles By Frank
Young Bird Sickness...the Big Three
Over the last 15 years we have been hearing about young bird sickness as a general condition that affects birds at some point during the first six months of their lives. I will try to explain the three possible afflictions of young bird sickness and offer some insight on how we can limit and control these problems. In a later article I will address PMV, Salmonella and Pox, which are also a young bird problem, but do not fall under the category of young bird sickness.
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Moving to All Natural for Super Health
Pigeons have been in existence for an eternity, surviving on their own before there was more knowledge about keeping them healthy. I am a firm believer that you can race and breed successfully, even without ever flock-treating the pigeons with antibiotics. The commitment to natural health and an antibiotic-free flock, takes time and will not happen overnight.
The Art of Selection
Pigeon selection is one of the most debated topics of our sport. Too many theories distract from what is of real importance. In this article I will present my method for selecting superior breeding pigeons, or at the very least, pigeons with the greatest potential to be superior breeding pigeons. This article may also step on a few of the experts' toes along the way. Keep an open mind and let common sense be your guide. Champion breeding pigeons come in all shapes and colors - big, small, ugly, pretty. It is difficult to look at a pigeon and judge its value. The following rules will help a fancier narrow down the field and make educated decisions about breeding potential:
An Immune System is Terrible Thing To Waste
How many in the sport realize that we are dealing with pigeons? Yes, they are pigeons, a very hardy and resistant creature that has millions of years of evolution behind it. I must laugh when I hear how fanciers are treating their pigeons like they have the constitution of butterflies. Some fanciers worry that one missed step will lead to disaster. My top breeding pigeons are allowed into uncovered flight pens every day of the year. From snowstorms to torrential rain the pigeons go into pens whenever they choose.
Antibiotic Free Racing and Breeding
When I started racing pigeons, back in the mid 1970’s, we have we had very few choices for medication. I remember Emtryl for canker, Pipezine for worms, Aureomycin, Sulmet and Terrimycin for just about everything else.
Breed from the Crosses
Breeding top performing racing pigeons takes some skill, luck, and excellent stock. With that said, many US fanciers are always on the quest for pigeons that are pure, inbred, line bred, straight, etc. Many are looking for endless generations without the introduction of a cross. What do the real champions do?
Can Experiences Be Added To DNA
Have you ever wondered why pigeons, who perform well in a certain one-loft race, tend to breed pigeons that are also successful in the same race? Can grandchildren demonstrate similar results as well? Why do pigeons from the race team tend to breed better young for local racing?
How Quickly We Forget
Occasionally, I look through the “Tips and Secrets” that I wrote on my website and realize I have forgotten to do some of the basics, that was once deemed necessary. I have come to realize that my mind is not the best place to store all the important information.
Are Your Pigeons Too Heavy for the Race?
There is a saying..."if you become a master at feeding pigeons, you will become a master at racing pigeons." This is very simplified, but the body weight going into a race is extremely important. I would say that over 75% of pigeons shipped to races, are too heavy. Many fanciers have their pigeons better prepared for a show, than a race and most are under the impression that the pigeons should be round and full. This could not be further from the truth.
Secrets
No part of our secrets can be copied or published without written permission from Frank McLaughlin.
Common Sense and Pigeons
Common Sense and Pigeons go hand and hand. Nearly 50 years ago, when I was a 10-year-old just starting out, we would visit local fanciers. I soaked up all information like a sponge, but always asked "why?” Many times, the old champ could not give me a reason, and I hated not knowing why.
Common Error at Weaning
I felt it was time to point out a common error many, even, long-established fanciers, make at weaning. I have been hearing for years that some lofts, during weaning, force their babies to eat large grains or peas exclusively, prior to feeding any other seeds or pellets.
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How Many Rounds Are Too Many?
If your pigeons are extremely healthy, going into the breeding season, and you as the owner provide every possible grain, pellet, vitamin and mineral, there is no reason why the breeding pairs cannot raise six to nine rounds without any detrimental effects. At McLaughlin Lofts, we allow our very best pairs to raise their own young, starting in February and, in some cases, finishing in October or even November.
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Widowhood Explained
Widowhood racing has been around for nearly 80 years or more. When traveling in Belgium a few years ago I watched a film made in the 1930’s for the World’s Fair. Racing widowhood was featured and identical to how we race now right down to the nest fronts. The misconception was widowhood was a big secret until the 1950’s.
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Health 365
Please realize that this health program below is designed for the beginner or someone not comfortable recognizing very subtle changes in pigeon health. We are McLaughlin Lofts do not flock treat the birds ever. We only use Natural Products and will individually treat a sick pigeon. For my thoughts on Health please see three Short Articles by Frank. Below is for a very new fancier that cannot recognize subtle changes in health. This is the system from the past.
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Dark System Explained
The Dark System manipulates the length of the day artificially to cause the young birds to molt their body feathers very rapidly while not molting the flight or wing feathers. This system tricks the pigeon’s biological clock to think winter is coming. Think of a late bred raised in the fall. It will molt the body very fast but not drop many flight feathers.
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Nature's Reason Behind The Dark System
Mother Nature give birds and animals the best possible advantage to survive through the harshest times of the year. When winter arrives, pigeons must be in best position to manage the lack of food and extremely high predation. They cannot have any disadvantages place upon them by molting.
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Slowing The Molt in Young Birds Naturally
Before the Dark System or Light System, we only had moderate control of the molt of flight feathers during racing. One option that I have used for the last 50 years continues to be used today by many. You can delay the molting of a flight by removing 1/16 of an inch off the tip of the flight that you do not want to be molted. This must be done as soon as the previous flight is molted or better yet before the previous flight is molted.
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Tips For The Fancier
How about racing on the “Dark System” with only half your pigeons? As you wean the youngsters place the young hens on the "Dark System” and the young cocks on natural light. The young cocks will be going through the motions anyway because their future is in the widowhood loft. The young cocks can dominate late in the young bird season. The young hens can be pushed and raced hard being on the dark.
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A Cautionary Tale...McLaughlin vs. The Barn Lady
'Sometimes Fact is certainly stranger than Fiction'It is now time we post our side of the story. The facts only will be listed. We have been harassed by Yvonne Pea for many years. We repeatedly tried to please Yvonne and her husband Terry but their expectations and demands were unrealistic our lawyer repeatedly told us to ignore them. I am so pleased she does not have our home address and her emails go directly to spam. Just the highlights here. This is a warning should anyone ever need to have any business contact with Yvonne of Terry Pea. Beware of what could happen to you. If anyone would like copies of Yvonne's long, threatening, rambling, incoherent letters or emails please let me know. If you would like her or our real estate agents phone or email for confirmation we can send this to you. If this did not happen to us it would be comical, and it is comical. We have kept the American Racing Pigeon Union notified every step of the way. Not only has Yvonne Pea tried to ruin my 40 year flawless reputation in the sport she has tried to damage the wonderful hobby for all of you.
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