THE RACING PIGEON

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 October 1929, Page 5

THE RACING PIGEON

FEEDING YOUNG BIRDS. Members of the Greymouth Pigeon Club, which is launching ’ out with regular racing, should pay attention to the correct method of feeding. In quite a number of lofts the standard food ration for old and young stock is partridge peas. It is admitted that peas, belonging as they do to the legume family, are a valuable feed, containing a large percentage of protein, and so greatly assist in the development of flesh and bone, but a® a sole ration for breeding stock are deficient in carbohydrates, or fat-forming material. There are numbers of lofts in the Dominion where partridge peas are used without the adidtion of any other grain, but, with a knowledge of. the analysis of the various grains, it is really more beneficial and very-much more economical to feed to breeding and young stock a mixture comprising partridge peas, good sound wheat, hulled oats, and kibbled maize in equal proportions. This ensures a ration which provides for the formation of the bony structure, muscles and flesh, and

enables the growing young pigeon to assimilate the grains more easily than a ration of hard partridge' peas. One of the qjbjections to a mixed grain ration is that the use of maize tends to pro-

duce fat, but where old birds are being raced during feeding season, they can be given partridge peas after they have fed their young. It is questionable, however,, whether the use of crushed maize will have any ill-effect upon a bird in training, and the writer is of opinion that the inclusion of 10 per cent in the feed is necessary, owing to the amount of energy expended during a season of approximately fifteen i*aces. A good quality crushed maize, free from dust, is very valuable to birds over a lengthy racing season, and assists in maintaining condition.

During breeding season it is very essential to provide a good quality grit in the form of crushed shell, or finelybroken limestone. Contrary to general opinion, grits are not used for the purpose of crushing or grinding the food in the gizzard, but are an addition to a bird’s diet in. order to provide lime and other valuable minerals for the proper formation of bone, feather, etc. It is only in recent years that careful investigation and analysis has proved this fact, and, in passing, shows a mysterious knowledge acquired by instinct by the members of the large feathered family, who unconsciously pick up and swallow small, gritty substances. The use of the finely-broken charcoal is also iof value, in that this form of carbon assists in promoting digestion, and if placed in a box the birds will pick, up what they require. Charcoal enough to last the average fancier for the whole of one season, can be made quite simply by digging a small hole or trench and placing pieces of soft wood to provide a quick fire and great heat and over this a few pieces of hardwood. When the fire is well burning

and showing a glowing mas, a sheet of tin should be placed on top and earth piled over the tin to retain the heat. In a couple of days the charcoal can be opened up and bagged for future use. RECOVERING LOST BIRDS.' During the racing season secretaries in most districts receive numbers of letters from the farming section of the community who very kindly report found racing pigeons. Usually the letter contains a few 'lines stating that they have a racing pigeon and that the owner may have same by forwarding ring' number. As there are thousands of birds racing throughout the North and South Islands, it will be seen that numbers of birds are lost and, therefore, it is impossible to give the individual owner advice. Readers will kindly note that they may safely give the ring number of any bird found, so that the particular club secretary may be informed, who in turn will notify the club member.