The drink of our pigeons
0
0
Beginner:
After talking about the nutrition of our pigeons, we agreed to talk this time about the drink. What I especially took away from our last dialogue were your thoughts on how to feed our pigeons, ie. that it was necessary, each time they are served food, to ask the question: “what should be used for what I give them? »
This seemed essential to me. Gust Ducheyne, who was a pragmatist, often said that in pigeon racing the most difficult thing was to feed his pigeons. Indeed, all the art resides in the fancier’s head and in his hands.
You probably agree with me on this point… but let’s talk about the drink.
Viktor:
More than half of a pigeon’s weight is water. I presume, although I am not a scientist in this matter, that drinking may constitute an essential element of health in the pigeon. We cannot forget that we demand from it efforts which, by nature, it would not perform. For the pigeon at complete rest: no problem. However, I know champions who put garlic in the drink of their pigeons all year round. Fresh garlic being a natural and powerful antibiotic, protects pigeons against pathogen attacks.
Some fanciers cut the garlic into small pieces and let them macerate in a bottle of water, of which they add a tablespoon to the water in the drinker every day. It is a good method.
Beginner:
But, if the garlic is an element which defends the health of the pigeon, it is not able to improve their performance, nor to purify the organism of the toxins accumulated in the blood by the efforts produced during the competition.
Viktor:
Excellent remark. It is therefore a question of purifying the blood, of ridding it of toxins which are none other than combustion waste, especially following muscular efforts.
Beginner:
Purify the blood, you tell me, but how?
Viktor:
The late Prof. Thienpondt, researcher at Janssen Pharmaceutica, once told me: “Fanciers often talk to me about how to purify the blood. However, we have no direct control over blood. We can simply try to make the organs work perfectly, which can purify the blood, thus ridding it of toxins, ie. the liver and the lungs mainly which bring oxygen to the blood”.
Beginner:
But tell me, dear master, how I should proceed on the different days of the week.
Viktor:
Let’s not complicate things. Because there are pigeon fanciers who add a product to the drink every day. Is it necessary or useful? A good method, in my opinion, is to do the following. On returning from a competition, on Sunday for example, a little electrolytes, according to the indicated dose, in the drink. As some electrolytes contain, in addition to minerals, also glucose, they will contribute to rapid recovery after exertion.
The next day and the day after, tea or an extract of greens and plants in the drink. For the following days pure water. However, if the pigeons are basketed for a middle distance or long distance stage, a little vitamin will be added to the drink the day before. If the pigeons have a week’s rest, they can be served an extract of greens and plants in the drink for a whole week.
Beginner:
I am going to try this very simple system, but if, despite this, the pulpit does not have a reddish color, what should I do?
Viktor:
Either your pigeons are not in good health due to parasites (worms, coccidiosis or trichomonosis) or due to any microbism on which the veterinarian can inform you, or you do not have enough light and fresh air in your loft.
Noël De Scheemaecker
Instructions:
- The advertising for all kinds of products and even medicines means that there are more and more lofts where during the racing season the pigeons rarely receive pure water to drink. This is obviously a mistake that is more expensive and sometimes does more harm than good.
Let’s not exaggerate, but let’s use common sense. The pigeons will be better off but our wallet too. - More than half of a pigeon’s weight is water.
[ Source:Article edited by Mr. Noël De Scheemaecker – PIGEON RIT Magazine]
To subscribe to PIGEON RIT Magazine – Click on the button below!
