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I've come across an extract of a piece of work studying effects on racing pigeons during transport to race points. 1996 Dutch study, published in English.
(1) Does anyone remember reading or hearing about it?
(2) Does anyone know if the study findings were applied to pigeon transporters here?
BEHAVIOUR AND THERMOGENESIS OF RACING PIGEONS HOUSED UNDER TRANSPORT CONDITIONS
J Gorssen
Department of Animal Husbandry, Wageningen Institute of Animal Science, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
BACKGROUND TO RESEARCH
Primary reason for the research was a growing concern for the occurrence of flight losses amongst pigeon fanciers and Dutch society. Until recently problems with orientation and navigation combined with adverse weather conditions after release were the usual reasons given for losses. However, the pigeon fanciers’ awareness of transport conditions as a possible explanation for sudden peaks in bird losses is a clear break with earlier views. Research on transport of poultry also supports this view (Instances of dead on arrival are higher during summer and increase the longer the journey. Heat exposure on newly hatched chicks not only kills birds at the time, but following exposure the number of deaths increases over the next 2 week period, under normal housing conditions). Research on transport of racehorses showed performance abilities decrease following dehydration. A second reason for the research was a growing awareness of possible animal welfare problems during transport. Facts and figures on pigeons in transport are few. The research ran from 1990-95, funded by the Dutch NPO and financially supported by the Dutch veterinary service (Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Conservation and Fisheries).
Dynamic cycle in racing pigeon contests
TRANSPORT......Duration, Environment [Physical / Social], Other.....VV RELEASE...........Orientation, Weather, Other ............................VV HOME LOFT.......Feeding, Environment [Physical / Social], Other..... >>
Transport may affect the pigeons flight success through the bird’s capacity to cope with the transport process. Research demonstrates pigeons and poultry perceive transport very differently:
Poultry: infrequent journeys occuring only at fixed production stages, maximum duration 8 hours. So poultry have low predictability of the transport process.
Pigeons: from an age of 6 months encounter transport every week, duration 12-72 hours; probably better able to adapt, but as transport elements aren’t constant, pigeon can’t predict all elements in the transport process.
Transporter: The internal physical environment is determined by climate (temperature, air humidity, air velocity); air composition; light duration & intensity; and husbandry – water and feed availability.
1990 transporter conditions: 200 crates, 30 pigeons per crate; No additional cooling facilities; Forced ventilation fans of insufficient capacity for a fully loaded truck. Heat transfer to outside dependant upon air cooling through natural ventilation while vehicle was in motion.
Internal temperature depends on outside temperature and the temperature control methods the driver takes during stops. Missing a temperature control stop increases internal temperatures by around 12C within 30 minutes. The difference between internal and outside temperatures increases from 6C to 18C, accompanied by an increase in air humidity.
The racing season covers late spring and summer, the warmest part of the year. Combination of warm outside conditions and inadequate internal climatic control supports the drivers’ and convoyers’ perceptions that ‘heat exposure’ was the biggest factor on board the transporter. Heat loss through water evaporation from the lungs is the main way a pigeon keeps its body cool. The study shows pigeons lost on average 9% of their body weight, while the maximum loss was 14% body weight… and this is before the race even begins.
Transporter: The internal social environment. The main feature is the high number of birds within each crate. 1990 Guidelines prescribed 225cm2 per pigeon for 24/48hours journey; 250cm2 for 48/72hours; and 300cm2 for over 72 hours. (These guidelines were being followed at the time with 40 birds in a 9000 cm2 crate).
Sexes, young and old are segregated into separate crates, although some young pigeons may be mixed together because the sex is not known, or the belief some hold that young cocks are not so aggressive as old cocks. Each crate holds several owners’ birds.
Study focus: At the start, the main focus was on the birds’ ability to regulate their body temperatures at varied temperatures within the transporter, with or without water being made available to them. Experiments based on different ages and sexes, took place which measured the bird’s heat production, body weight loss and body composition when confined for different periods (up to 23 hours) during both day (hot) and night (cold) conditions. Towards the end, attention was given to the behavioural effect heat and crowded conditions had on the birds. Thermoregulation (the bird’s ability to control its body heat) and behaviour were found to be very important factors in pigeon transportation.
Water availability and the ‘thermoneutral’ zone – (optimal temperature zone) Water deprivation lowers the upper critical temperature to 32.7C. (YBs died at 39C)
With water availability, no increase in the study's 4 value areas was seen below the upper limit at 37C. With water availability and increasing ambient temperatures a decrease in heat production values was seen until 20C was reached, and remained constant at higher levels. 20C can be regarded as the lower critical temperature
At high ambient temperature levels birds resort to mainly water evaporation for heat loss to maintain normal body temperature. Water deprivation prevents repletion of body water reserves. This results in an increase of 1.3% body weight loss above 32.1C and 16.2% at 39C, over a 23 hour period. The physiological consequences of this weight loss (dehydration) are: a rise in body temperature; blood of high viscosity (‘thickening’); ‘drying out’ of the breast muscles through water extraction; and death when the body weight loss threshold reaches 18%. The combined effects of the temperature level and the time birds are exposed to it determines the mortality rate. Heavier birds are affected more. Smaller birds appear better able to cope with hot environments where water is scarce.
During flight, decreased blood viscosity promotes blood flow thus reducing the load on the heart. Therefore dehydration will adversely affect flight performance, and the bird’s homing capacity.
Also during flight, body temperature increases by between 1.5C and 3C, and water loss exceeds water production. Starting the flight with depleted water reserves will cause the pigeon’s body to overheat (hyperthermia). In horses, hyperthermia decreases the time to muscle fatigue.
Optimal temperature zone for Transporter: 20C to 32C.
“Over the past two years … existing types of (transporters) were looked at but none came up to the high standard we were seeking. We talked to experts in their own fields to make sure we provided the finest conditions, so reducing stress and optimising the bird’s welfare when the vehicle is travelling and stationary. The vehicles can be steam cleaned and disinfected, internal controls can be set at optimum levels when travelling, or stationary. Temperatures, humidity and air-exchange will all be under control.
Convoyer facilities: fully fitted compartment for sleeping, washing, cooking.
Corridor: adequate width to allow operations to be carried out in comfort.
Release system: enables birds to be liberated quickly, efficiently and safely. Fail safe back-up system.
Containers: 154 stainless, steel, open design, floor comfortable mesh 10” headroom & droppings and spilt food goes into a removable collecting tray underneath. 48” x 33” x 11.5” overall. Release door 48” x 10”. 52sq inch – 60sq inch floor space per bird. (Don't quite follow that one).
Water Supply: on three sides. (external water troughs)
Feeding: two feed troughs per container.
Completion date: 31st March 2006.
Wondered how your transporter measures up to these modern day standards & requirements?
I think that 99% will not come anywhere near the ideal, apart from the new ones from geraldy but which small fed's could not afford the new ones when you see the prices so any body that have bought catteralls old ones will never be able to sell them and recover some of their outlay. The only way out that I can see is for all small federations to amalgamate. that will be a painful process for some fed's that I know.
Disagree with you on that one shadow I dont think they will be around to be in pain if they dont start looking at things now Start at the bottom get the clubs to amalgamate decent membership decent birdage think there are few around who going find that very painful way to have to go but if they dont I think u will find they will only have the big successful clubs left to race in anyway so they will gain nothing by staying as they are
Have just read in the BHW that the NFC have got new transporters but they are not theirs it is a haulage company that has bought them with the NFC paying them to haul the pigeons. Rose how would you go about trying to get clubs to amalgamateBecause iI have no idea. We have some small clubs in our area and in one the top flyer fills his clock with thimbles every race now this club is on the point of disbanding as they are down to 4 flying members from 30 two years ago, that does not give any novices or younger mebers any heart to carry on
Yes thats right shadow not sure why but I believe it is still going to be lot cheaper than what they were paying I think there are very few clubs who would amalgamate and i think you answered your own question the top flyer who fills his clock positions sell pigeons and theres very few top fliers who dont sell what anyone gets out of beating a couple of the old members who still take pigeon racing as a hobby or the novice who has just started out is beyond me
I agree rose positions sell pigeons but on. the same level the people who do this never say that they got 15 1sts in a season probably flying against 5 or 6 members, which as you said may be older members who fly for the love for their birds. Personally I think the way the sport is going racing at club level is in danger of dying out
I think Rose & Shadow's debate shows quite clearly the main reasons why we haven't been upgrading anything in the sport - especially our transporters.
Too much fragmentation leads to too little £££s available for modernising anything. We also tend to think only in terms of 'one organisation', 'buy' and 'own'.
Combine, Joint-convoy, vehicle hire, vehicle long term lease - these are alternative 'business-like' arrangements, all are available and some are already in use.
NFC shows that you can have the very best - cutting-edge technology - and that it can be done without outright ownership. You get exactly what you need and want, and without any additional vehicle maintenance and upkeep costs.
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