Keeping Birds Fresh For Big Events

 

KEEPING BIRDS FRESH FOR THE BIG EVENTS

 

To maintain the reserves in our birds, we give as few races as possible with weeks of rest at home before the target race. They are out daily to do their thing and see the basket as little as possible, so as not to overstress them and trigger viral invasions. With a gradual build up in distances and time on the racing wing ,serious muscle is formed and our feeding forms the essential fat and glycogen reserves in the internal organs, The conditioning of a super marathon pigeon is both art and science and the will of the fancier with his chosen candidates. Paired in March and raced dry the soul objective is form for July. The approach is the opposite to the road work/motivation ethos of the sprinter. Many steady distance birds are culled or burned out by May-I like the slow burners.

 

Jim Emerton

 

 

 

HOW I WOULD TACKLE BARCELONA INTO IRELAND/SCOTLAND

 

People are cogitating this awesome concept-it can be done. I would rear around 60 ybs, all from proven 7 to 900 mile bloodlines and fly them on open loft in all weathers if practicable. Education in races up to 200 miles would build them up nicely and on a marathon feeding regime-top quality, all they can eat. Flown out all winter I would gradually increase the yearling distances to the 350 /450 mark depending on availability of the races. Then the residue would be lifted to 5 to 600 miles as 2yr olds.  I would study the potential of each bird along the way. At 3 years of age, and with close planning and organisation all birds would be lifted from the 500 mile distance mark to the Barcelona Int. race in excess of 8-900 miles. With steady and careful management, a bird of real stamina and NAVIGATIONAL ABILITY can break from the convoy and arrive home in race time. A guide to my feeding is under my unique feeding system. The mental demands on the fancier are large and it will change your life forever.

 

Jim Emerton