Larry Lucas

I haven't been on in quite some time -- more than a year, actually. I hired a man to manage my pigeons and they were all killed. He went on vacation and his son did not feed or water them. I have been grieving for quite some time. No legal recourse, a total loss. All the Super 73, Grondelaers, old Planet Bros. Van Loons -- all gone. Hope things are going well for everyone. Larry Lucas

What can you tell me about this eye? Look deeply into this eye and repeat: "All I need is good pigeons and good management, all I need is good pigeons and good management, all I need is good pigeons and good management, all I . . . "

How many soldiers lives were saved by birds of prey? None. Perhaps an article submitted to the press detailing the positive benefits of pigeons vis-a-vis birds of prey?

Here is a link from which you can download the Eagle Owl "voice". The consensus seems to be that it does not work. http://www.albertaclassic.net/hawks/hawks.php

It is a fact, snails and slugs are hosts for tapeworm. Probably why so many French are skinny. ;D ;D

I NEVER go into the loft without a mask -- my lungs are too important.

Roland, I applaud what you have written here. Larry

The observation that feral pigeons (derived from lost racers) are their main diet is pure, empty propaganda. First, feral pigeons are not descended from racing pigeons. It is quite rare that a banded pigeon is found in the wild. A study by Gary Gleeson in Australia proves conclusively that racers don't contribute to the population of ferals. Second, anyone ever see a hawk catching a feral? The Peregrine's nests are littered with rings from racers. :'( :-/

Thanks, IB, for posting these here. The consensus of these articles is that the oil gland is important for good supple feather quality -- apart from other benefits. A search of precis for related articles on http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov shows the same emphasis. I could not locate any articles in English, Spanish or Portuguese (Brasil) supporting the idea of the oil gland not being related to feather quality -- which does not mean they are not published, only that I could not locate them. I tend to think the oil gland should be examined when feather quality disappears from a pigeon -- but poor nutrition and/or a drop in general health can affect production in the oil gland, i.e., is it a chicken or the egg situation? For what it is worth.

Forgot to mention it is on the top side of the pigeon -- wouldn't want you digging around below the tail! ;D

At the base of the rump, just before the tail feathers. If you spread the feathers you will see a bump, looking a bit like a tiny tit.

IB I would be interested in seeing that article if you can reference it. My information above (apart from the anecdotal experience of the hen with dry feather) comes from Dr. Reuben Landriet in Belgium and Dr. Gord Chalmers in Canada, both pigeon fanciers and capable veterinarians. The parasite that can cause problems with the gland is well-documented (according to Dr. Reuben) as is damage and bacterial infections of the gland. In correspondence with Reuben he confirmed from veterinary literature that a damaged oil gland results in dry feather. My reason for the discussion with him was a valuable hen whose oil gland was damaged by birds climbing on her back during feeding at the hopper and as the birds "climbed" her back, their claws sliced the gland. Her feathering became dry and nothing could restore it because the gland was non-functional. I am not saying your source is wrong entirely, but it would be helpful to see the study you cite as it runs counter to my experience and the information from two good vets. Not having a go at you, I am interested.

The late Jan Grondelaers bred his birds for silky and thick feathering. In general, feathering with a little more flex wears better than dry, brittle feathers. The birds I have down from his Bourges Pair have wonderful feather. And yes, they win. I don't think I ever had a pigeon with dry, brittle feathering that raced well. Also, sometimes the oil gland can become plugged by parasites (there is a worm that is the culprit) or an inbalanced diet. A friend once visited my loft to look at my breeders and commented that a hen's feathers were far too dry. He looked at her oil gland and pronounced that it was plugged and before I could stop him pressed the gland between two fingers and expelled an oily plug. Sure enough, in the next few months her feathering returned to normal and were no longer dry. For what its worth.

Thanks for the good wishes for my wife. We received good news that her condition is treatable and that the symptoms may disappear. Good news, indeed. Vic, if I ever make it over to jolly old England, I will definitely look you up. Larry

Fall was wonderful and mild -- spring is even better.