BergerPIGEONS > Blog > Testimonials > 101 young pigeons after 15 Kabi races
Experience report by Ludwig, Daniel, Andreas and Ella Geier · 07515 Wotzmannsreut · Waldkirchen Regional Association · Regional Association 652 Bavarian Forest
Daniel Geier races for the 07515 Wotzmannsreut Club, the Waldkirchen Racing Association and Regional Association 652 (Bavarian Forest). After two less successful years, he wanted to guide his young pigeons through the season in a calm, clear and consistent manner. The aim was for the young birds to win prizes and gain experience.
After the last two years, it was clear to Daniel Geier that something needed to change. The flock consisted of one batch of winter-reared young birds, plus three batches of standard young birds, all distributed across three compartments. Males and females sat together on perches and stools. The young birds were neither kept in the dark nor separated; according to him, they were simply exposed to light.
It is during the young pigeon season in particular that a great deal is decided early on. Daniel observed his birds closely: how they approach training, how they fly away from the loft, how they return, and how steady they remain when things get serious later on. After he started using Alfred Berger’s products, he noticed – in his own words – that the young pigeons’ enthusiasm for flying improved.
The birds were flying very high and at high speed. After about a week and a half, they began to fly out of sight for 30 to 40 minutes. Then they returned, spreading out widely and at full speed, and hung around the house for up to an hour. What had been a normal training session became a sign for Daniel that the preparations were heading in the right direction.
For their care, Daniel Geier relied on the products he had selected: BergerPearls No.1, CarniBoost, RecoverAmin Forte, SymBiotic, VitalDrink and WaterControl. He does not give a precise weekly schedule, but describes his observations at the loft: the pigeons took everything without any problems, moulting was very good, and, in his view, the consistency of their droppings was optimal.
At the same time, the actual preparation began. In the mornings and evenings, the young pigeons flew voluntarily for up to one and a half hours. Then, together with two colleagues from the racing club, we set off for training: 5 kilometres, 10 kilometres, 15 kilometres, 25 kilometres and 40 kilometres were on the programme. Each time, 220 pigeons were released together so that they could learn to break away from the flock right from the start.
According to Daniel, these private training flights went very well and without any losses. These were followed by the RV’s preliminary flights. The series began with 110 young pigeons, and a total of five flights, ranging from 50 to 100 kilometres, were carried out.
In addition to the prize races, there were three further intermediate races starting from 142 kilometres. Every fancier was allowed to take part, so that around 1,000 pigeons from five racing associations were brought together for each race. For the young birds, this meant a wealth of new experiences, changing flocks and, time and again, the challenge of finding their own way home.
Following the private training sessions and the preliminary races, the programme included six prize races, including three regional association races over 251, 298 and 342 kilometres. Daniel Geier began the prize races with 110 young birds. After the final race, 101 pigeons had returned home. In total, the young birds were in the loft 15 times, plus five private training flights.
The prize races themselves also went very well. In the first prize race from Parsberg, covering 142 kilometres, 107 entered pigeons won 57 prizes, 17 of which finished in the top 50 out of 1,413 pigeons. In the third prize race from Rohr over 207 kilometres, 65 prizes were won, with 5th and 8th places in the race against a field of 2,484 pigeons. In the sixth prize race, the regional association race from Michelstadt over 342 kilometres, 73 prizes were won by 101 entered pigeons.
The championship results included, amongst others, 15th in the German VB Young Pigeon Championship, 12th in the Bavarian Young Pigeon Championship, 1st in the RV Young Pigeon Championship, 1st in the FG Young Pigeon Championship and 1st in the RegV. VB Young Pigeon Champion. In addition, there were several top-placed and AS young pigeons at RV, FG, Bavarian and Regional Association levels, as well as a 1st in the competition.
After the race, the pigeons were not allowed to fly freely any more. They were to moult calmly, without any stress. For Daniel Geier, this young bird season stands out as a well-rounded experience: few losses, plenty of experience for the young birds, strong results and a loft with which, in his own words, he is more than satisfied.
„All in all, it’s been a brilliant racing year with our young birds, with very few losses.“
Geier: Ludwig, Daniel, Andreas and Ella
According to Daniel Geier, he entered 110 young birds in the preliminary and prize races. After the final race, 101 young birds had returned home. In total, the young birds had flown 15 times in the Kabi, in addition to five private training flights.
The young pigeons were not kept in the dark or separated, but were simply exposed to light. During training, they flew voluntarily for up to one and a half hours in the mornings and evenings. This was followed by private training flights over distances of 5, 10, 15, 25 and 40 kilometres, with 220 pigeons released together on each occasion.
The products listed are BergerPearls No.1, CarniBoost, RecoverAmin Forte, SymBiotic, VitalDrink and WaterControl. Daniel does not describe a specific feeding plan, but reports that the pigeons drank everything without any problems and that he was satisfied with their moulting and droppings.
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