Pigeon Basics--for Novices

Jack Prescott
(Internet Published) Aug 9, 2000

I refer to Tipplers, Rollers and flying breeds. I know nothing about show pigeons or showing and I do not talk about things I know nothing about. I leave that to politicians, who one handles like polecats and stays away from the business end. At the tender age of 3 weeks I take youngsters away from their parents. I perhaps allow 3 extra days for a slightly retarded squeaker but that is all. From this separation and weaning stage these here squeakers are my pets. I guard them . I protect them like a mother hen. From the date of separation they are placed outside to absorb the essential imprinting stages, upon me, the loft, and the general location.

My birds, therefore, are imprinted, loft trained and under control--long before they can fly. At the age of 38 days all of my weaners can fly sufficiently well--to get themselves lost.

They can fly, but they are not yet imprinted. My duty is to keep such learners under control and with about 35 days of imprinting and treating them with kid gloves. No starvation, just healthy hunger.

If you starve them, you break them and not train them. At the age of 8 weeks, I assume the attitude and posture of a regimental Sergeant Major in the British Army and I say "Right--you 'orrible shower of layabouts--the bloody honeymoon is over--let's be having you" Fly, fly, or I'll have the bloody lot of you destroyed. All such trainees must respond and conform. I have no time for idiots. This is the time for selection. I have no time for sentiment, and I have no need for pets.

For truthfully I say unto you that no pigeon, no domestic animal, no child, no woman, no man, no government is worth a damn without discipline, restraint, and accountability. Isn't that right!!

This here prevailing method of filthy deep litter is mighty convenient, but I swear that if you don't scrape out once a day, you will never never, never be a fancier. If you wouldn't drink the water that you give to your pigeons, then you disgust me. No man can cope with more than about 60 pigeons. No man can train more than a few youngsters at a time. Otherwise the spiritual link is broken and all is "kaput".

Jack Prescott