One Loft Theory
We believe that there are " Horses for Courses" that prior to sending young
birds to one loft races, one must be diligent in researching certain conditions so
as to send the right birds bred to perform best in those conditions..
Headwind vs. tailwind on the course. flat or mountains? direction from release
point in relation to the sun on the racer. Yes of course, it is equal for all birds
in the loft, but yet we would never send a bird bred for any of the San Diego
races that fly east over mountains and desert into headwinds, to lets say the
Mercedes Classic where its a relatively flat course with tailwinds most of the
course.
We also believe there should be a "Standard" if you will, in one loft races that
meet a certain criteria BEFORE you enter the race. Here are some of those
critical factors we look for and if we cant personally check it out ourselves, we
can certainly ask the management of those races and hopefully get the answers
that way.
We won't enter a race where the birds are crammed into a crowded loft. The
maximum birdage for a one loft race that we would like to see as a "Gold"
standard? no less than 10 cubic ft. per bird. That's easy for you to figure out. If
a guy takes in 800 birds and his loft is only 8ft. wide by 100ft. long.......its
overcrowded. Don't count the hallway, count the living space area only.
Overcrowded lofts make for ill health, lack of desire to home and heavy
losses.......stay away.
The Fallacy of a large Entry
How does South Africa handle 5,000 birds properly? One loft races with
large entries increase the variables considerably. If your racing for money,
then always consider the odds first. Never mind the numbers, thats pure ego.
Odds, its how the real gamblers play the game. Your really throwing the
dice in this race.......think about this: proper management, 5000 birds?
Is this race a points race? or an average speed race?
As a breeder, we prefer the points system to determine the best pigeon.
We like those birds that "win" races outright. In a 4 race format, if there
is a super pigeon that wins 3 out of 4 races (hypothetical) and on the last
race comes in the 2nd day when the race is closed? we would rather have
this bird in our breed pen as opposed to the "average speed" winner that
came in 20th, 44th, 5th and 120th. This is just our preference. We will
fly average speed races though, but our opinion is that the best pigeon is
the one with the most points. Its why most combines award points to
"champion bird"...........
Points race........points awarded each race.
Though this is our preference for obvious reasons, one must be diligent
and do some research prior to entering the race. If a one loft race has
1,100 birds or so and has only two landing ports of entry with limited
antennas for this birdage....guess what? Your super bird can come on the
drop along with the other top pigeons, but will it get through the trap
waiting in line long enough to get points????
Bottom line here? Call the management and ask how big the loft is and
how many landing boards/stalls with antennas?????
Either the loft is inadequate to give your birds a fair shot, or the loft is
way over crowded. Again helping to negate your entries
possibilities....Remember, we have only started one loft racing in 2005. So
with our theories and Nest Nutrition, we have accomplished astounding results
in just 3 short years of
participation...
MANAGEMENT FEES...............
Any one loft race should be totally up front about what they are charging or
taking out of the race. They should state if there are perch fees and how much.
If they take a ' cut ' on the pools or not and if there are any other areas where
there is a "cut". If in doubt, call and ask........we think it should all be in
print.......way up front.
communication
How many times have you sent birds and money only to not hear a word
about the birds until training day? What happened to all these updates
and how come its so difficult to give an inventory? How about letting us
know how the birds are and if your having an epidemic and birds are
dying, how come we are not notified about it? Just keep me informed so I
know what my investment is doing........simple....
We believe that there are " Horses for Courses" that prior to sending young
birds to one loft races, one must be diligent in researching certain conditions so
as to send the right birds bred to perform best in those conditions..
Headwind vs. tailwind on the course. flat or mountains? direction from release
point in relation to the sun on the racer. Yes of course, it is equal for all birds
in the loft, but yet we would never send a bird bred for any of the San Diego
races that fly east over mountains and desert into headwinds, to lets say the
Mercedes Classic where its a relatively flat course with tailwinds most of the
course.
We also believe there should be a "Standard" if you will, in one loft races that
meet a certain criteria BEFORE you enter the race. Here are some of those
critical factors we look for and if we cant personally check it out ourselves, we
can certainly ask the management of those races and hopefully get the answers
that way.
We won't enter a race where the birds are crammed into a crowded loft. The
maximum birdage for a one loft race that we would like to see as a "Gold"
standard? no less than 10 cubic ft. per bird. That's easy for you to figure out. If
a guy takes in 800 birds and his loft is only 8ft. wide by 100ft. long.......its
overcrowded. Don't count the hallway, count the living space area only.
Overcrowded lofts make for ill health, lack of desire to home and heavy
losses.......stay away.
The Fallacy of a large Entry
How does South Africa handle 5,000 birds properly? One loft races with
large entries increase the variables considerably. If your racing for money,
then always consider the odds first. Never mind the numbers, thats pure ego.
Odds, its how the real gamblers play the game. Your really throwing the
dice in this race.......think about this: proper management, 5000 birds?
Is this race a points race? or an average speed race?
As a breeder, we prefer the points system to determine the best pigeon.
We like those birds that "win" races outright. In a 4 race format, if there
is a super pigeon that wins 3 out of 4 races (hypothetical) and on the last
race comes in the 2nd day when the race is closed? we would rather have
this bird in our breed pen as opposed to the "average speed" winner that
came in 20th, 44th, 5th and 120th. This is just our preference. We will
fly average speed races though, but our opinion is that the best pigeon is
the one with the most points. Its why most combines award points to
"champion bird"...........
Points race........points awarded each race.
Though this is our preference for obvious reasons, one must be diligent
and do some research prior to entering the race. If a one loft race has
1,100 birds or so and has only two landing ports of entry with limited
antennas for this birdage....guess what? Your super bird can come on the
drop along with the other top pigeons, but will it get through the trap
waiting in line long enough to get points????
Bottom line here? Call the management and ask how big the loft is and
how many landing boards/stalls with antennas?????
Either the loft is inadequate to give your birds a fair shot, or the loft is
way over crowded. Again helping to negate your entries
possibilities....Remember, we have only started one loft racing in 2005. So
with our theories and Nest Nutrition, we have accomplished astounding results
in just 3 short years of
participation...
MANAGEMENT FEES...............
Any one loft race should be totally up front about what they are charging or
taking out of the race. They should state if there are perch fees and how much.
If they take a ' cut ' on the pools or not and if there are any other areas where
there is a "cut". If in doubt, call and ask........we think it should all be in
print.......way up front.
communication
How many times have you sent birds and money only to not hear a word
about the birds until training day? What happened to all these updates
and how come its so difficult to give an inventory? How about letting us
know how the birds are and if your having an epidemic and birds are
dying, how come we are not notified about it? Just keep me informed so I
know what my investment is doing........simple....
| Breeding Those Winners Its our opinion that to breed winners in the one loft game, one needs to eliminate those variables that produce a winner. Confusing? yes, we feel that the birds that win in local performances that are expertly handled by handlers who can make a sparrow win a race, are not necessarily the birds to send to one loft races. We think the fastest way to achieve results is to do it this way. We put 70 ybs in a loft and we send them each and every week the club to be released with the racebirds. We hardly train at all, dont train them during the week and we make sure we give them nothing special in the way of supplements/ or "goodies" to help them fly faster. In fact, we purposely keep them in limbo, not adhering to any special routines such as feeding, bathing, training. We just ship them. At the end of ybs., we had 7 birds left after some tough races. Out of those 7, we will breed the best suited pair based on confirmation and pedigree. From this pair we will enter their progeny in certain one loft races. We dont care how they flew compared to the club birds. It does not matter. We want consistancy, strength and a strong homing instinct. Birds that can maintain health with a strong immune system have the best chance to win big. Also, take note this year when your babies come out of the nest. Our best babies come out of the nest looking like they were chiseled out of a perfection handbook. The one pin tail? Oh yes, let it be the first indicator that your on the right track. We like fleshy babies with all the feathers neatly in place. They will quiver with energy and seem very proportionate in their balance and tight feathering. These will be your better pigeons. If you stop and think about it? All the top combine flyers who enter one loft races...........(and there are many) would easily win or be consistantly on top if my theory on choosing one loft pigeons was off base. The above seems to prove out better for progressive type one loft races where multiple races are the format. For those races you enter which are of the "one shot" 300 mile type of race. We advocate jumping the yb team from 150miles, straight to the 300 mile stations. Big jumps in distance will produce the type of bird that is "game" for the "one shot" races. As for size? yes we feel there is a difference and we much prefer the medium to medium/small both in cocks and hens. PIGEON GRADERS We do not believe a good breeder can be chosen by a grader. Far too many birds have been disposed of prematurely based on physical principles layed out by so called Pigeon Graders. WEANING TIME We like to wean the babies when the feathering is completed under the wing area. The best time for us is after the parents feed the youngster in the a.m. of the day. We want the baby in the loft around noon when all the other birds are tending to take a nap/sleep. Its quieter and they have all day to get used to the new surroundings before its dinner time where they can then observe their peers taking feed and water. If the parents dont feed by noon, then we give the babies 5 peanuts each and manually fill the crops with water and B complex liquid. We always give them 4 drops of Ivomec under the back feathers between the neck and wing area. Some fanciers wean at 24 days, we prefer use the feather criteria, and have never had a problem with weaning babies. |
WHY DO WE AUTO/ASSUME THINGS??
When it comes to one loft races, we assume many things in auto
mode. Our brains work like this because we know deep inside
that its the proper way to do things. That anything else is just
not right and to think anyone would fail to do it right would be
preposterous.
Yes, we all assume that one loft race managers are WATERING
BEFORE RELEASE. Nice thought right? its hot outside, the
birds are going 150 miles or more. They've bounced around in
the shipping crate for hours and the liberator IS GOING TO
WATER THEM RIGHT? well folks, guess again. Dont auto
assume this. If you do your due diligence then you may be very
surprised that some one loft races ARE NOT WATERING THE
RACE BIRDS.............
As breeders, we must ASK the big question. If the answer is NO,
then we must stress vehemently that the birds MUST be watered
or we will NOT SEND OUR BIRDS THERE.....Birds learn to
drink by being offered water. Offering them water from 340
miles when they have NEVER HAD WATER BEFORE doesnt
insure them taking a drink........its a learned response folks...
we go to great lengths to raise super birds to enter. Give us and
our entries due consideration...........WATER THE BIRDS.
mode. Our brains work like this because we know deep inside
that its the proper way to do things. That anything else is just
not right and to think anyone would fail to do it right would be
preposterous.
Yes, we all assume that one loft race managers are WATERING
BEFORE RELEASE. Nice thought right? its hot outside, the
birds are going 150 miles or more. They've bounced around in
the shipping crate for hours and the liberator IS GOING TO
WATER THEM RIGHT? well folks, guess again. Dont auto
assume this. If you do your due diligence then you may be very
surprised that some one loft races ARE NOT WATERING THE
RACE BIRDS.............
As breeders, we must ASK the big question. If the answer is NO,
then we must stress vehemently that the birds MUST be watered
or we will NOT SEND OUR BIRDS THERE.....Birds learn to
drink by being offered water. Offering them water from 340
miles when they have NEVER HAD WATER BEFORE doesnt
insure them taking a drink........its a learned response folks...
we go to great lengths to raise super birds to enter. Give us and
our entries due consideration...........WATER THE BIRDS.
which race do we enter?
WHAT ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY?
RACE MANAGERS HAVE TO HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY. BUT,
REALIZE THIS, WHEN YOU HAVE TO "PAY ALL THE MONEY" UP
FRONT, YOU RELIEVE THE MANAGER OF ANY
ACCOUNTABILITY.
HOW? IF ALL THE MONEY IS IN THE BANK, THEN THERE IS
THE QUESTION OF LOSSES AND SICKNESS AND WHO IS CARING
FOR THE BIRDS? WHO CARES IF OVER HALF THE BIRDS ARE
LOST OR GONE? THE MANAGER? NO, HE DOESNT CARE, HE
HAS ALL THE DOUGH IN THE BANK ALREADY..... but IF THE
RACE HAS A GOOD TRACK RECORD AND THE MANAGER HAS
SHOWED THAT HE IS ACCOUNTABLE, PROVIDES A FAIR AND
HONEST RACE WITHOUT ANY GAMES. THEN UP FRONT IS A
JUDGEMENT CALL ON THE BREEDER. ITS THE ONLY REAL
WAY TO GET THE PAYOUT TO BE ' HUGE ' .
SO WITH THAT SAID, WE PREFER TO ENTER RACES THAT ONLY
ASK FOR MINIMAL FEES UP FRONT,LIKE PERCH FEES. WE
KNOW THAT THESE RACES ARE PREDICATED ON HOW THE
MANAGEMENT CARES FOR THE BIRDS ALL THE WAY TO THE
END WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR THE BREEDER TO "PAY THE
ENTRY FEE"........ITS IN THE MANAGERS BEST INTEREST TO
TAKE GOOD CARE OF THE PIGEONS THIS WAY.......
INVENTORY
RACE MANAGERS SHOULD PROVIDE PERIODIC INVENTORY
WITHOUT ASKING YOU TO SEND MONEY FIRST. WHO IN
THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD PAY AN ENTRY FEE FOR A BIRD IF
THE BIRD ISNT EVEN THERE??????????? YET WE ARE OFTEN
ASKED TO DO JUST THAT..... MY ANSWER TO THAT? I TELL
THE RACE MANAGER THAT " I ONLY DONATE TO RED CROSS"!!
BE PICKY, PRAISE GOOD MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT
RACES THAT DO GOOD WORK AND GET HIGH PERCENTAGES OF
THE BIRDS TO THE RACES THAT ARE WELL TRAINED AND
GIVEN AN EQUAL CHANCE TO PERFORM.
| We learned from our experience in the gamecock/rooster fighting arena that color does matter. Many of the old timers told me amongst other things that birds that are "off color" have a higher percentage of losing the fight...... We found this to be very true in our experience and so we have given this same profound thought to racing pigeons. Its not often that the winner of big events is "off color". Yes the percentages of grizzles and whites and bar less mealies etec...are fewer than the run of the mill bluebars and checkers. But we still stick to the rule that if its not a blue or a checker, we dont want it..........Do we like reds and silvers? yes. We mean no offense to those of you who like to breed grizzles, duns and the like, even whites. But its just our personal preference when we put down the bucks to enter and bet, that the color stays within our ramge. |
