THE RACING PIGEON.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 161, 10 July 1928, Page 15

THE RACING PIGEON.

REARING THE YOUNG.

JUDGING THE JUDGE.

LOCAL CLUB JOTTINGS.

From the age of fourteen days to one month old is a critical period in the rearing of a pedigreed racing pigeon. The slightest carelessness in the feeding of parent birds will be reflected in the physique of the squeaker, which now draws its food supply in the form of moistened grains. If underfed, the youngsters rapidly lose flesh and learn to move about, until within a few days they will be able to rise from the nest pan and run around, which commences the habit of falling out of the nest box, to be chilled and buffeted by other birds. Once this habit ia contracted it is difficult to check it, and the net result is a lightweight and snipey young bird with retarded feathering. The secret of success in feeding is to give ample grain in a small tin or pot in the nest box, so that the parent birds can feed the squeakers fully. The rapid putting on of weight, plus the capacity of holding a quantity of grain in the crop, prevents tne youngsters from being uneasy, and they rest content without moving from the nest until they are well into the fourth week. Mixed grain, in addition to the ordinary partridge pea, plus a little rice and eanary seed, is an ideal ration, induce® feather growth, and allows for the accumulation of fat, which is worked on during the stage of learning to fly. When the youngsters are three weeks old the hen bird will usually stop feeding, more especially in the first round of the season, and preparations are then made for the second pair of eggs. iu order to prevent the hen bird from laying in the nest with the young ones, it. is usual to provide another neat-pan in the same nest box, with some ,^ ri of partition or shelf to prevent the voung birds from worrying her. Ilie 'male bird looks after the growing young ones during this period, hence the necessity of giving ample feed. merely feed the birds twice a. day ' not sufficient, as the male bird empties his crop completely in feeding the .two youngsters, and in losing hie condition, does not have the strength and vitivlityi io thoroughly provide for their requirements. , ... The youngsters at three weeks o should be taUpht to pick up small seec l.v feeding:/th«Lmated pair? m the n<wV riox, when thaJMeekers quickly acqmie the habit oFffifog. for themselves. This mesa* a fully developed squeaker

at four weeks old well able to look after itself. In the event of one pair having only one youngster, and should the fancier desire the parent birds to go to nest quickly, the odd young one can be transferred to any other pair with only one young one, provided it is rung: or some check made to keep a record of its pedigree. The changing of a young one should only be done at night, and to some pair with one of a similar age. Never change a youngster into a nest with an older squeaker, as this means starvation due to the more developed youngster getting all the food. A lot of time and trouble can be saved during a season by moving eggs and youngsters, but the fancier requires experience and a habit of making writ, ten notes before commencing the system. Judging the Judge* The Auckland Pigeon Show, to be held in conjunction with the Auckland Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club on July 26 and 27 at the Scots Hal! Annexe, Symonds Street, will see the leading Auckland birds on exhibition, it might be mentioned that in judging racing pigeons there is actually no British standard and every racirg pigeon judge, therefore, judges them more or less to his own standard, which, however, closely approaches the French and Belgian standard. Exhibitors often criticise the awards made, but the novice should be very careful in passing comment, as there are multitudinous defects that cannot be detected except by careful handling and long experience. Absence of primary feathers, missing tail feathers, crooked keels, bumpy heads, tilted keel, defects of colour, roach backs and so forth are apt to be missed by the onlooker. It is usual for the judge to be present in the evening to stand the barrage of inquiries, as also congratulations and complaints. In Mr. E. Ellis, the Auckland fahciers are to be congratulated, as thir well known and experienced judge has many years' flying experience, plus a highly analytical nature when choosing the winners. The imported class should see some of the choice examples of English and Belgian strains on exhibition, owing to the numerous importations. It would be of great interest if the exhibitors in these classes prepared particulars on a card giving the strain and breeder, to be attached after the awards are placed. Local Club Jottings. The annual election of officers and committeemen of | the Northern Racine Pigeon Club was held last week, ana' resulted as follows President, Mr. Fred. Coster; vice-presidents, Messrs. J, Bock and S. WebJ»; hon. secretary, Mr. N. Waddel; treasurer, Mr. H. Corathwaite; committee, Messrs. L. Bedford, R. Fullerton and T. Soloman. The balaince-sheet showed a surplus in hand of £12. to be carried forward to the old Urd Mason. ' r ' •' ■■ - •

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

H.M. (Newton). —Northern Club secretary, N. Waddel, Douglas Street, Ponsonby. Ellerslie Club, D. Adkins, c/o J. Sheil, Ellerslie. Oneliunga Club, c/o J. Taylor, Manukau Road, Epsom, will reach them. They will give you all the information re addresses. D.R.M. (Auckland). —Regret the error, and trust your winning Oneliunga first prize English Pouter and first and special best Pigmy Pouter will be at the Auckland Show. ,N.W. (Ponsonby).—A. Priddle, secreWellington Homing Pigeon "f : Society, 199, Hanson Street, Newtown, Wellington, advises all club secretaries to write him urgently re N.Z. Government railway charges, giving club membership, number of 'birds, railway charges paid this year and last, and any other information for the N.Z.H.P. Federation to place before the Minister of Railways.