20/10/2026
THE RACING SEASON IS OVER — WHAT NOW?
Do we simply sit back and relax after the racing season, or is this one of the most important times of the year for our pigeons?
For me, the off-season is a time to help the racers recover, give the breeders the attention they need and plan carefully for the next season.
My priorities during the breeding season:
• Provide clean, fresh water and change it every day.
• Feed a good-quality breeding mix three to four times a day so the babies are well nourished.I feed small portions at a time.
• Provide feed grit and Sparkies charcoal mineral grit every day without fail.
• I prefer single-pen breeding. It reduces stress and helps keep the birds calm and focused on rearing their youngsters.
• Check the babies’ growth every day. I only wean them once they are strong enough to jump out of the nest and onto the floor. Strong babies and good development with good vitality at all times. I wean them in groups and introduce them to loft discipline gradually, without unnecessary stress.
• No bird/yougster, enters my loft unless it has been vaccinated against PMV and a good dusting of Kabadust.
The racers need attention too. I separate the c***s and hens and keep them in sections where they can rest and regain strength after a demanding season. I use a high-fibre diet to help prevent them from gaining extra weight.
The off-season also gives us time to plan, decide what we want to achieve and identify what needs to improve. We should be honest about the mistakes made during the season, stay disciplined and remain focused on our goals.
As the birds go through their moult, I provide a suitable diet with good sources of fibre, protein and fats to support a strong, even moult.
The next season starts with the care and decisions we make now.
Regards John
Coetzee Lofts