I have raised pigeons for over 55 years. So what I’m about to lay out for you comes from years of experience breeding and racing pigeons. Many of you will not have heard this information from any source before because there is no profit in sharing this information other than sportsmanship. This simple understanding of “why” our pigeons get sick will save you hundreds of dollars in medication and give you more time to enjoy healthy pigeons.
Pigeons like any other living creature were meant to live in the wild. In domesticating them, we house them in contained lofts along with other loft mates, most times over crowding them with improper ventilation and improper food to sustain good health.
One of the most important things to provide to your pigeons is clean water as I have already described. Another is a steady supply of a variety of minerals 365 days a year. I don’t feed packaged vitamins. A good source of commercial feeds again with as much variety as possible, changing brands often as to get grains grown in different fields. The same goes for the grit provided. Change brands often to get different minerals that are offered in the different brands and always prepared for pigeons. The size of the grit prepared for pigeons is important. A large aviary with plenty of sun exposure is important so as the pigeons can benefit from the sun and all it offers to promote warmth and good health. Rain baths are the best way to have the birds clean themselves because they done sit in or drink contaminated water. When ridding birds of pests I prefer handling each and every bird to administer bug repellents.
Now the most important point I can talk about is the PH level in the loft. This is where many of the flock diseases exists.
A healthy pigeon has acidic dropping. The healthiest of pigeons carry diseases in their droppings. Left unchecked in the wild they remain acidic and do not cause illness to pigeons. But when confined in a loft this is a problem waiting to happen. Reading the information that is offered in the many pigeon books, videos, by experts and word of mouth, we are left to conclude their advice is correct and we follow down that road. I have found that it is the pathway to disaster and to the medicine $ cabinet. Here is the gist of it. “Don’t feed your pigeons anything that is alkaline”. Keep your loft acidified. Google a list of alkaline foods and anything that appears on that list should not be fed to your pigeons. You are going to find lots of things on that list that are generally accepted as good for pigeons like garlic, lemons, lime apple cider vinegar and so on. Thought these items “do” have properties that can be useful to good health, the long term use in a pigeon loft is a time bomb and here is the “WHY”.
When feeding alkaline foods to domestic pigeons kept in a loft, the droppings will of course be alkaline. When the moist droppings hit the wood perch or floor, the wood absorbs the alkaline moisture and holds onto it. Over time the accumulation builds up until the PH balance is shifted to a neutral position. Add moisture from dampness of any source and you set the stage for outbreaks of disease. We have all seen this happen and wondered where the disease came from. Well it wasn’t the new bird in the loft!
And lastly, the water fountain is one area where disease can easily be spread from one bird to another especially in warm weather. Clean your water fountains daily and keep a fresh cool supply of water available to the birds. Two things to help me to achieve this is to add 1/2 oz of white distilled vinegar to 1 gallon of water. This is a big aid in combating canker, bacteria and other diseases spread by community drinking fountains. The other way is to keep the water cool. Keep a few water bottles in the freezer when the weather is warm. Each time you change your water, place a frozen bottle of water in the fountain. The ice will keep the water cool and fresh longer inhibiting bacteria from taking a foot hold. You might ask why not just add ice cubes? Well if you happen to be using medication or vitamins in your fountains, the contained ice in the bottle will not dilute your dosage.
The Alexander Hansenne is indeed a remarkable Racing Pigeon Strain. Dr Willaim Anderson in his book "The Sport of Racing Pigeons" 1947 writes extensively about this outstanding Fancier. I luck to have an original copy of the book. Need i say i myself have of the Bronze chequers in my stock loft Well wishes to you
Hello Dale, Donnie & Pam
Firstly, I would like to thank Dale for his persistence yesterday. Both
Linda and I were so sorry that your crossing was so difficult.
Originally, you texted me that you would wait for us---so of course we
would wait for you!!
We had a very pleasant return home with clear roads etc. But were
extremely tired and went to bed early!! I am extremely happy with the
selection of birds you sent even the replacement for 20512.
It was a pleasure dealing with the Zehr family. I spent time with the
birds in the garage last night and today speaking "Zehr Sion" to them.
Think they understood---at least until they learn "Trini Sion". Lol!!!
Thank you all once again.
Wishing you all and your families a very Happy Holiday Season!!!
Dave and Linda
The 3 birds arrived this morning in Aurora, Colorado safe and sound. Thanks. We'll do business again!!
Hello. We received the two boxes today with the four Hansenne pigeons. Arrived in excellent condition.
She is SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL! Thank you guys for looking out for me. Can’t say enough about how much I love the bird and birds you have sent me.
Thank you so much, i got the bird! He's so beautiful, pin tail apple body, nice wing :)
Hello there, My name is Mike and live in Az, I had racing pigeons when I was young and now Im not young haha 61, Semi retired and determined to move to a place where I can fly birds again, want to get my grandkids involved. Anyway as a kid I flew some Sions and really enjoyed your website. When Im ready would love to get a few Sions again and see how they do. Any advice for an old newbie? lol
Hey Donnie, Saw your Birds on Ipigeon and must say, those are some Beautiful Heitzmans. They are very true to what I called the real thing. Beautiful Hansennes as well. Take Care, Chuck
Hi
I have placed the pigeon recieved from you recently in a priority express shipment back to you in same box recieved. Bird was beautiful and healthy but we realized it’s nature is such that it needs to fly and be a racing pigeon. We can’t offer that life to it and realize it was a mistake to try this based on our situation
Bird has had not been outside and has been confined indoors in isolation since recieved.
Please give it the home it deserves.
Appreciate the care you took getting it to us!!!
Need some color on my team. Had some sion couple years ago when i had a partner who sick and could not care for his own birds. He liked sions so i bought some from you on pigeonauction.com. We alot of fun his sions against my team .He has since past on. His family called me and thanked me for letting fly with me he really looked forward race day. HE WON EVERY WEEK
Path: https://www.clayhavenfarms.com/pigeons/for-sale
Thank you guys so much for allowing me the opportunity to love these birds.
Thanks again for the most beautiful Pure Paul Sions pigeons ever!! The loft is full of happy sounds from the birds strutting around in their new home. Y’all were so easy to work thru my problems of birds I chose.
Thanks a million times over Pam and Donnie. Your friend Jimi
