Selection of
Birds for the Race
Team
How to tell if a bird is
fit is one of the
important skills
that a fancier must
develop if he is to
achieve continued
success. The
selection of the
race team each week
is never easy for,
apart from certain
races when birds
need to go for
conditioning,
experience or for
which they have been
nominated, the
fancier aims to send
the birds that are
at their best that
week and to avoid
sending birds that
are not right and
might be lost.
Simply flying teams
rarely achieves the
best results as
birds that are
really fit may be
left at home simply
because it is not
their turn, while
unfit birds may be
sent and lost.
The fancier must get
to know his birds as
individuals so that
the correct decision
for each of them can
be made during a
basketing session.
If a fancier has 80
birds to select
from, in effect he
should try to make
80 correct decisions
during each
basketing.
Essentially, these
decisions are based
on:
-
how the birds
handle and look
-
their behavior,
and
-
their droppings.
To help, there are
guidelines that can
be followed.
HANDLING
It is not possible
to tell if a bird is
fit by handling it.
Indeed, stock birds
that are fed
correctly will often
handle the same as
members of the race
team and yet, if
forced to fly, their
exercise intolerance
quickly becomes
apparent. It is
possible, however,
to tell if a bird is
well through
handling it. Fitness
can only be
determined through
observation of a
bird's behavior
around the loft and
following exercise.
And so, how do we
tell through
handling that a bird
is healthy with the
potential to be fit?
Incredibly, there
are signs in its
muscles, keel,
weight, feet, eye,
mouth, wattle and
feathers that give
us the answer.
MUSCLES
The feel and
appearance of the
bird's flight
(pectoral) muscles
gives a good
indication of its
potential to be fit.
Understanding what
causes the changes
we are assessing
makes interpreting
them easier. The
size, feel and
appearance of
muscles depend on a
variety of factors,
including what work
requirements are
being made of them.
As a muscle works,
it adapts to its
job, increasing in
size and strength. A
circulation develops
to meet the muscle's
requirements. As a
muscle works, lactic
acid forms within
it. In a fit muscle,
the circulation
carries lactic acid
away. If the muscle
works beyond its
fitness capability,
the circulation
cannot keep up and
lactic acid
accumulates in the
muscle. This
essentially
chemically bruises
the muscle, causing
it to become
inflamed. This makes
the muscle swell,
become hard and
develop a bluish
hue. These muscles
are sore and such
birds often resent
handling.
Size
The muscles of
different birds vary
in size when that
bird is fit. This
means that different
birds will handle
differently when
they are ready to
race. Some fliers
have the idea of a
mould into which a
pigeon is poured.
One opens the mould
and all the pigeons
handle the same,
when they handle
like that, they are
fit. I believe this
not to be the case.
Some feel fuller
when right, e.g.
Janssens tend to
'blow out' more
readily, while in
other birds their
muscles tend to V
away from the keel
when right. In
addition, there is
variation of
individuals within
strains and
families. As a
general rule,
however, the flight
muscles do tend to
increase in size as
fitness comes. Do,
however, remember
that the muscles of
overflown birds will
increase in size
through
inflammation,
sometimes giving
them the appearance
of being superfit.
Also, as fat can be
deposited within
muscles, an increase
in size can be
associated with
overfeeding.
Tone
The muscles of a fit
pigeon should be
toned, i.e. neither
hard nor soft. Unfit
muscles, such as
those of a stock hen
sitting on eggs,
tend to have no
substance, while the
muscles of a bird
that is likely to be
fit have resilience
within them.
Excessively hard
muscles are
associated with
inflammation in
birds that have been
exercised beyond
their fitness
capability.
Color
The muscles of a fit
pigeon vary in color
from a rosy pink
through a variety of
purple shades.
However, most birds
when well do have
pink muscles. This
indicates a muscle
with a
well-developed
circulation and well
perfused with blood.
Such muscles usually
have the potential
for a lot of work.
However, some birds
are fit when their
muscles appear
slightly purple.
This is probably due
to some melanin
pigment (the same
pigment that gives
the 'blue' to
feathers) either
scattered through
the muscles or the
skin. This is why
most reds, mealies
and white birds
almost always have
pink muscles. Blue
muscles occur in
three situations:
-
In birds that
have been
overworked and
have become
chemically
bruised through
lactic acid
accumulation.
-
In unhealthy or
unfit birds for
a short period
after exercise
until they catch
their breath and
reoxygenate
their blood.
This process
will take longer
in birds with
any form of
respiratory
problem.
-
In birds in
generally poor
health
Skin over
Flight Muscles
In fit birds, the
skin over the flight
muscles often
appears thin and
transparent with
little flake. These
changes usually
relate to the
increase in muscle
size that can be
associated with
fitness. The skin is
elastic and tends to
stretch in a manner
similar to a balloon
filling with air,
leading to the
changes that we
notice. In birds
that have been fit
for a long time, the
skin can accommodate
the increase and
these changes are
not so apparent.
KEEL
The keel should
preferably be white,
not pink. The muscle
inflammation and
bruising that occur
with overwork tend
to turn the keel
generally pink. The
clearly defined pink
'blood spot' that
contrasts against a
white keel indicates
health and a
stress-free
environment but not
fitness. You can get
this in stock birds
as well.
As a general rule,
if the muscles are
full but toned,
remain pink and the
keel is white, the
birds are exercising
within their fitness
capability. If they
are spending a lot
of time on the wing,
then this, in turn,
means that their
stamina and fitness
are developing.
WEIGHT
The fit bird's body
needs to feel full
and toned, yet at
the same time not be
heavy. It should be
light but have a
strength to it. It
should be buoyant.
It is here that the
skill of the fancier
comes into play. He
must be able to not
only detect changes
in the bird's weight
and condition but
know how to alter
his management and
feeding to get the
birds right. Birds
that are fat become
heavy in the hand,
while birds that are
not working properly
tend to become
'leady'. Anything
that makes the birds
feel unwell, the
most common example
here being wet
canker, will mean
that they will still
fly around the loft
if forced but simply
do their laps. They
will spend time on
the wing but will
not push beyond
their own comfort
zone and actually
improve their
fitness. These birds
tend to float rather
than really
exercise, in the
process becoming
leady. Birds that
are fat need to have
the energy and
calorie content of
their seed mix
decreased (i.e.
fewer oil and
starchy seeds). I
feel this is a much
better approach than
simply reducing the
volume of grain fed.
Conversely, birds
that are light need
a richer ration,
perhaps supplemented
with a conditioning
agent such as
wheatgerm oil or
Polyseed Oil.
FEET
Birds are no
different from
ourselves. When
unwell, we get a low
peripheral blood
pressure, making us
pale and sensitive
to cold. Pigeons are
the same. In birds
with a poor
peripheral
circulation, the
feet appear pale and
cold, and in birds
that are dehydrated,
the feet can
actually become a
bit shriveled. In
well birds, the feet
appear full and pink
and are usually
clean and warm, even
in cold or damp
conditions.
EYE
The eye itself
should appear wet,
glistening and
bright. However,
there should be no
excess moisture.
Some fanciers use
the term 'glass eye'
to describe this
appearance. The iris
should be full of
color and the pupil
should have a quick
response to light.
The third eyelid
should be tucked
right back and will
sometimes quiver
with the beat of the
heart in well birds.
Increased prominence
of the third eyelid
is usually
associated with
respiratory
infection. This
makes the membrane
covering the third
eyelid become
inflamed and
thickened, making it
harder to fit under
the main upper and
lower lids. The
blink in the fit
bird should be
virtually
undetectable.
However, it is
interesting to note
that pigeons only
blink with their
lower eyelid, as it
is the only eyelid
with muscles. The
main eyelids should
be well retracted
but covering the eye
to the edge of the
iris, making the
eyes look round and
prominent. Some
birds do, however,
have an oversized
eyelid opening,
which is heritable.
MOUTH
The lining of the
mouth should be rosy
pink, not pale
(associated with
anemia or general
ill health), red
(inflammation) or
dirty grey (due to
long-term
inflammation,
usually associated
with respiratory
infection or wet
canker). The mouth
should be moist but
free of excess
mucus. Any mucus
present should
preferably be clear.
The tonsils (above
the fringe and at
the entrance to the
windpipe) should lie
flat and match the
surrounding tissue
in color. The
windpipe should be
still and
elliptical. The slot
(choana or palatine
slit) should have no
discharge and
preferably be open.
Respiratory
infection can cause
the edges here to
swell, narrowing its
opening. The tongue
should lie flat on
the floor of the
mouth and should in
most birds be a pale
pink color to its
tip, although some
birds do naturally
have pigmented
tongue tips. The
beak should be
closed when the bird
is being handled.
Remember not to
examine the mouth
soon after feeding
or exercise as there
will be more mucus
present and the
mouth will appear
redder.
WATTLE
The cere at the base
of the beak should
be white, chalky and
free of associated
discharge. However,
sometimes in health,
it can be pale pink
due to the birds
having flown in
rain, billing or
genetic factors.
With respiratory
infection, mucus
forms in the
sinuses, which then
drains under the
cere and on through
the slot into the
mouth. The cere acts
a bit like a sponge,
absorbing this
discharge and
becoming stained a
yellow to brown
color. With mild
respiratory
infection, a small
amount of clear
mucus may appear at
the nostrils, making
the beak here look a
bit darker and
shiny. The eye cere
should be white and
covered in bloom,
except in birds that
have genetically
pink eye ceres.
FEATHERS
The feathers should
be covered in bloom
and be held close to
the body and tight.
They should appear
shiny and feel
silky. The tail
should be the width
of a single feather.
Sometimes, the
marking and colors
will appear just
that bit more
distinct. The white
feathers of a pied
might contrast more.
The main or contour
feathers are all
lost and replaced
just once a year in
the annual molt.
Conversely, powder
down feathers can be
lost all year round.
However, they are
only lost when the
birds are feeling
well. The
disintegrating
powder down feathers
are one of the main
components of a
bird's bloom. Bloom
production and
powder down feather
drop are therefore a
good indication of
general health.
Bloom gives a silky
feel and a lustrous
shine to the
feathers. When being
produced in good
quantities, it will
accumulate on the
outer edges of the
flight feathers as a
white covering. This
in turn leads to
white marks, called
friction rubs, on
the vane of the
flights being
produced when the
bird flies. When
handling fit birds,
bloom will
accumulate on the
hands and clothes of
the fancier, and
Graeme Davison (Davo)
states that when his
birds are well, his
loft actually turns
white. More bloom
will, however, be
produced on hot days
and it quickly
accumulates in
healthy birds if
they are not flown
or bathed. In some
fit birds, the
feathers become
puffed over their
ears, in others not.
BEHAVIOUR
As stated earlier, I
feel that it is very
difficult to pick a
race team simply by
handling the birds
during a basketing
session. I feel it
is vital to make an
assessment of the
birds' fitness by
observation of their
behavior in and
around the loft
during the week, the
way they exercise
around the loft,
and, in particular,
how they look when
they land, both from
loft exercise and
from a toss. It is
only through
observation of these
behaviors that one
gets an idea of how
a bird feels in
itself and its
exercise tolerance.
Handling, in
addition to ruling
out certain things
that would prevent a
bird from being
sent, e.g. a hen
that has become
eggy, a minor injury
or flights at an
awkward stage,
usually simply
reinforces the
impression one has
already gained of
the bird and
confirms that there
are no indicators of
ill health. Jo
Herbots of Belgium
informed me that his
father's main job,
and a very important
one, around the loft
is observation of
the birds to ensure
that the correct
birds are sent to
the races and the
correct ones pooled.
LOFT SIGNS
Fit pigeons should
be bright and active
and be keen to
exercise. When well,
some birds will fly
alone. Others can
exhibit a variety of
behavioral changes,
e.g. a cock may
parade along the top
of a door or take
over a second nest
box or a hen may be
reluctant to come
into the loft when
called. An observant
fancier can
correlate such
behavioral changes
in individual birds
with their
corresponding
performance. For a
bird to become truly
fit, it must be
mentally happy. This
is why it is not
possible to force
fitness, no matter
what tossing or
feeding regime is
used. How many times
does one see a young
cock take over a
vacant box or a
young hen become
flirty and start to
really glow. For
true fitness to
come, the birds must
be happy and content
in their loft. Keith
Saggers uses the
term 'loft happy'
and it is very apt.
Fit birds are
confident of their
position within the
loft. This shows
itself in a number
of ways. They rest
and sleep well,
sometimes to the
point of letting a
wing hang from the
perch. They are tame
and confident with
the fancier but are
alert and interested
in his actions,
watching him when in
the loft. Fit birds
are keen to protect
their perch and are
prepared to squabble
over food. Lofts
that house fit birds
are therefore noisy
and active.
LOFT-FLYING
SIGNS
Fit birds are
usually keen to
leave the loft at
their usual exercise
time. They fly high
and with purpose,
are prepared to
range, will become
strung out in single
lines and duck and
weave. As mentioned
earlier, they do not
float when flying in
the way that tired
pigeons or pigeons
that are scared of
their loft will, but
rather fly with
purpose. Fit teams
will usually
exercise for � - 1-�
hours. Do, however,
remember that some
birds, e.g. mated
birds, particularly
cocks, get anxious
if away from their
perch or box too
long and will come
back to the loft to
make sure that no
other bird is there.
It is rare for birds
that are properly
bonded to their loft
to fly for more than
1-� hours. I hear of
fliers saying that
their birds fly for
2 - 4 hours but I
feel that a bird
that is truly bonded
to its loft would
become anxious being
away from it for
this long.
Similarly, I would
start to wonder if
there was actually
something scaring
the birds from the
loft. It is always
nice to see the
birds exercise but
it is important that
they do not overfly,
in the process
losing condition
that would be better
used up in the next
race.
TOSSING
SIGNS
Fit birds look
bright in the basket
and, when released,
group up and exit
the toss point
quickly. Upon
arrival at the loft,
they recover
quickly. I very much
use this sign with
my own birds and
take particular note
of the way
particular
candidates for that
weekend's race look
when they land. I
feel that if a bird
lands from an
approximately 1-hour
headwind toss, still
looking good and
keen to re-establish
itself on its perch,
then it must be
well. I also take
note of the way the
birds come at the
loft and like to see
them coming hard and
pushing. I take an
aerobic toss, where
the birds arrive
panting but recover
quickly, as a good
sign. Here they are
not panting from
fatigue but because
they feel fit and
well enough in
themselves to try as
hard as they can to
reach the loft.
Birds from an unfit
team arrive at their
loft in a strung-out
fashion, appear
initially confused,
and take a long time
to recover.
DROPPINGS
The appearance of
the droppings on the
perch gives an
indication of the
birds' health. The
droppings should
preferably be brown,
although sometimes
greenish droppings
(if the birds are
fed greens or seed
containing
chlorophyll, such as
dun peas) are all
right. Always,
however, the
droppings should be
well formed and
tight. An
undisturbed dropping
on the perch in the
morning indicates a
restful night, which
is conducive to
fitness. Down
feathers stuck to
the droppings
indicate an on going
down feather drop
and is a good
indication of
health. The
droppings should be
uniform throughout
the loft, indicating
that flock health is
good. Problems such
as wet canker, which
affect different
birds within the
loft to different
extents, result in
varied droppings
throughout the loft.
Some fliers mention
that the uric acid
(white) should be on
the top or bottom of
the dropping and
that the droppings
should be at a
distance from the
bird, indicating
that they are dry,
nut-like and have
been spat out.
All of these signs
may appear a bit
disjointed but with
experience it
becomes almost
second nature to
monitor them. As
stated above, there
are no fixed rules
when selecting a fit
bird and the fancier
must use his eyes,
hands and
commonsense. With
experience, one can
detect that extra
glow that a truly
fit bird will get
about it and indeed
finding that a lot
of one's birds have
become like this by
the time of
basketing is a truly
satisfying
experience for the
conscientious
fancier.