RACING PIGEON BREEDING
For some breeders, moulting marks the end of the racing season. For others, it is the beginning of preparations for the next one. It is during this period that we begin to lay the foundations for our pigeons’ future form.
When the races end, the excitement gradually subsides. We stop analysing results, selecting birds for upcoming competitions and eagerly watching for their return. The loft becomes quieter.
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But does this really mean a time of rest for our pigeons? Not entirely.
One of the most demanding processes of the entire year begins in their bodies: the replacement of their plumage. And although moulting does not bring the breeder the same excitement as competitive racing, its importance for the coming season is enormous.
New feathers – new flight quality
Let us consider for a moment what plumage means to a pigeon. It is not just about appearance, colour or a beautiful silhouette. Above all, it is an extremely important part of its physical performance.
Each type of feather has a specific function:
- Down feathers provide thermal insulation and help maintain the proper body temperature.
- Contour feathers give the pigeon an aerodynamic shape, which is important during flight.
- Flight feathers and tail feathers generate lift, enable steering and maintain stability in the air.
We may have a pigeon with an excellent pedigree, strong motivation and exceptional flying potential. However, if its plumage is weak, damaged or improperly developed, it will not be able to make full use of its abilities.
That is why, during moulting, it is worth looking at pigeons not as competitors who have finished their season, but as athletes undergoing an intensive process of recovery and rebuilding.
1. Health – where it all begins
The first and most important rule is simple: a healthy pigeon is, above all, a pigeon that moults well.
A bird weakened by illness, parasites or improper nutrition must divide its resources between fighting health problems and producing new feathers. That is why it is worth entering the moulting period with the flock in the best possible condition.
It is also important to remember to plan preventive veterinary care. Certain diseases and treatments can negatively affect moulting. However, this does not mean that we should postpone necessary treatment or forgo vaccinations. Such decisions should be made in consultation with a veterinarian.
The better we prepare the flock in terms of health, the fewer problems we may encounter during feather replacement.
2. Parasites – the invisible opponent
Sometimes we look for the causes of poor moulting in feed, vitamins or supplements, forgetting the basics. One of these is parasite control.
A pigeon burdened with parasites may be less able to utilise nutrients. And during moulting, every valuable nutrient matters.
That is why it is worth checking the birds’ health sufficiently early and providing treatment if necessary. The point is not to administer products preventively just in case, but to take an informed approach to the health of the entire flock.
3. Moulting costs more than we think
Every breeder understands how demanding a difficult long-distance race is for a pigeon. We know how to prepare birds properly, increase the energy content of feed mixtures and support recovery after exertion.
But what do we do during moulting? We often treat this period much less seriously. Meanwhile, for many weeks, the pigeon’s body must produce an enormous amount of new biological material.
Comparing moulting to long-distance exertion effectively conveys the scale of this process. With one difference: a flight is a short-term effort, whereas the development of new plumage takes weeks.
Not just energy, but above all building material
New feathers cannot be produced from energy alone. The main component of feathers is keratin, a structural protein. To produce it, the body needs the right amino acids, with methionine and cysteine being particularly important.
That is why moulting feed should not only provide energy but, above all, be rich in high-quality, properly balanced protein.
Ingredients used in feeding include, among others, maize and soybeans. Breeders also use various natural supplements. However, products such as eggs, cottage cheese, kefir or yoghurt are not standard components of a pigeon’s diet. Their use requires caution and should not replace a properly formulated feed mixture.
The aim is not for a pigeon to eat as much as possible. The aim is for its body to be able to build strong, healthy feathers from what it eats.
4. Vitamins – small nutrients, great importance
When we talk about moulting, we most often focus on protein. Rightly so, but we must not forget about vitamins.
Vitamins A, D and E, as well as B vitamins, play an important role in the body’s functioning, metabolic processes and the maintenance of birds’ good condition. An adequate supply is also important during feather replacement.
However, this does not mean that the more vitamin supplements we give, the better the result will be. A well-balanced diet should be the foundation, with supplementation serving as a sensible addition. Consistency and moderation are more important than the number of products used.
5. Let us not forget nature
There is another factor that is easy to overlook: light.
Birds’ lives are closely linked to the natural rhythm of day and night. Changes in day length affect seasonal processes taking place in their bodies. One of the hormones involved in regulating biological rhythms is melatonin.
That is why, during moulting, it is worth providing pigeons with stable conditions and avoiding unnecessary disruption of the natural cycle of light and darkness. Artificially extending daylight hours or using intense lighting at night will not always be without consequences for the birds’ physiology.
Sometimes, instead of looking for yet another specialised product, it is worth first taking care of the conditions provided by nature.
6. Immunity – let us prevent the flock from becoming weakened
Moulting is a period of increased nutritional requirements for the body. If stress, infections, nutritional deficiencies or poor loft conditions are added to this, the birds’ condition may deteriorate.
That is why the fundamentals of good pigeon keeping become especially important: clean housing, proper ventilation, fresh water and a nutritionally complete feed mixture.
Natural additions such as garlic, carrots, peas, parsley leaves and beetroot have also long been used in traditional pigeon breeding. They can add variety to the diet, but they do not replace properly balanced feed or veterinary treatment.
We should build the flock’s immunity primarily through consistent daily care, rather than taking action only when a problem arises.
7. Bathing – a small detail worth appreciating
Finally, something that requires neither complicated procedures nor major expense: an ordinary bath.
Anyone who has watched pigeons bathing knows how eagerly they take advantage of the opportunity. During moulting, regular access to clean bathing water is especially valuable. It helps keep the skin and plumage clean and improves the birds’ comfort.
Some breeders add salt or various herbal preparations to the water. However, it is important to remember that not every natural addition is safe for birds, particularly at an inappropriate concentration. The most important thing is to provide the opportunity for regular, safe bathing.
Have you ever wondered how much protein is needed to produce feathers?
To conclude, it is worth mentioning an interesting fact from the world of breeding. One sometimes encounters the claim that geese may use up to three times more dietary protein to produce one kilogram of feathers than to produce one kilogram of muscle.
This is an interesting comparison, although the stated ratio requires scientific confirmation. Regardless of the exact figures, it illustrates how important the formation of new plumage is as a biological process.
Summary – we start thinking about future results today
In racing pigeon breeding, we devote a great deal of attention to races. We analyse pedigrees, plan training sessions, choose motivation systems, monitor the weather and look for ways to improve results.
Yet a good season does not begin on the day of the first basketing. It begins much earlier.
Moulting is one stage of this preparation. It is then that the plumage develops which will accompany our competitors on their future flights.
That is why it is worth taking care of seven essential elements: health, parasite control, proper nutrition, vitamins, natural biological rhythms, immunity and appropriate care.