Does it affect the birds? Of course it has a physical impact on the pigeons. Agree entirely. Makes them moult their body far quicker than they would do otherwise, but its for the better. We're racing youngsters in September that are like yearlings & only cast one flight. Compare that to these that are bald around the head and on their 6th/7th flight & the non-darkness brigade cannot compete. Which is fairer & which is crueler? I'd say non darkness was more cruel myself. Others may disagree. We're imposing less stress on our birds by asking them to perform their work when they're in supreme health and condition.
You ask about losses? What about losses? We started the 2005 season in March with 42 youngsters and finished it with 39 - all raced the programme. In 2004 we started with 43 and ended with 40 - all raced the programme. Darkness isn't the reason for losses.
People overcrowd and keep pigeons of debatable quality with less than pristine health. These are the major reasons for poor losses. Do'nt get me wrong, anybody can have bad luck, get a smash or a fly-away & that's bad luck. What is it though when some lofts never lose a pigeon year in year out & others lose 'em all every season. Tha'ts not bad luck - that's management.
As for performances, well you're talking about the capabilities of every individual loft there, how good their birds are, how good the management is, how much effort they put in to getting YBs to race well etc etc. I know full well that in our town I can't remember the last time a non-darkness pigeon won a race - but hey, that's what makes life go round.
Boing Boing
Mike