= Mulligan's Common Sense Rules to Successful
= &nb= sp; Old Bird Flying
&nb= sp; To be a competitive old bird flyer, you must follow the
basic rules. Remember NO ONE is more important than any other,
and all are necessary for success!
Mulligan's Place's successes in the 1995‑1996 ol= d bird series (10
race schedule):
&nb= sp; 1995: 1st Champion Poi= nt Loft, 3rd average speed in the
BCA/CJC Liberation (average of 350 lofts and 4,000 bir= ds each
week) &nbs= p;
&nb= sp; 1996: 3rd Champion Poi= nt Loft, 2nd average speed in the
BCA/CJC Liberation (average of 322 lofts and 3,700 bir= ds each
week)
&nb= sp; Mulligan's Place was the only loft in the top 5 in both
categories for 1995‑1996 (old bird series).
&nb= sp; In the tough and prestigious 400 Mile Northeast National
1995 and 1996 Mulligan's Place was the only loft in th= e top 10
both years: 7th & 10th, in 1995 (453 lofts, 6,062 birds), 5th in
1996 ( 415 lofts, 4,570 birds).
&nb= sp; Does the Natural System work? It does for Mulligan's Place!
1. Keep = your birds healthy 365 days a year, with special
attention to the moult and the off season.
2. You m= ust have the quality pigeons that will fly the courses
and distances in which you compete (proven performance=
bloodlines, not fancy pedigrees).
3. Know = the characteristics, capabilities, and limitations of
the birds (light, hard training, will they repeat?, etc.).
4. Learn= how to feed and train for certain races.
5. Learn= to spend quality time in the loft. If you observe
closely, the birds will talk to you!
6. Do not overcrowd your flying loft anytime during the year.
Select quality birds, not quantity.
7. Work = hard and confidently on an effective trapping system.
Be consistent: The birds should train, land and trap
immediately. Do not let them bum!
8. Make = sure your young bird system and breeding programs do not
interfere with your old bird training.
9. Set&#= 8209;up your loft so that you can see and handle the birds
freely (dry, plenty of sunlight, ventilation) Expensive is not
the answer!
10. Cull= ing is a year round process.
Our race s= eason starts the 1st week in April and ends about
the 2nd week in June.= The birds have been separated since the
end of young bird season.
&nb= sp; March 1st: We start to= loft fly each sex separately. This=
loft flying continues for about 2 weeks, twice a day, = if
possible, weather permitting. The birds should fly for about 1
hour on their own.&nb= sp; We never force fly our birds!
&nb= sp; March 16th: About 3 we= eks before the first race, we start
road work. About 10 tosses at 10 miles for the first week.&= nbsp; We
try to fly twice a day, either loft fly or 10 mile tosses. The
birds must know the routine: fly, land, trap!
&nb= sp; Two weeks before the first race, we continue same routine
but increase the tosses to 20 miles. We always train the sexes
separately.
&nb= sp; One week before the first race, we start 30 mile tosses in
the morning and 10 mile tosses in the afternoon. The birds
remain separated and follow the same routine: fly, land, trap.
About 2 hours before the shipping night of the first r= ace, we put
the cocks and hens together. They will stay together for the
race season.
&nb= sp; During the 5 weeks of training before the first race, the
birds are treated for Canker, Cocci, Respiratory, Worm= s and
E‑Coli. <= /span>We complete the treatment while the birds train and
continue it through the race season (preventive care).
&nb= sp; Birds that fly 100‑200 mile races are given a bath the same
day (weather permitting).
&nb= sp; Birds that fly 300‑600 mile race are given a bath the next
day.
&nb= sp; Birds being prepared for short races are given 10 tosses
(15‑30 miles) a week and loft flies.
&nb= sp; Birds being prepared for longer races are given 10 loft
flies
and 2 road tosses (15‑30 miles) in preparation f= or the 300‑600
mile races.
&nb= sp; As the races get longer and tougher, we increase the use of
safflower and raw Spanish peanuts. Peanuts exceed other feeds in
energy value and maintain body weight in the long, tou= gh races.
&nb= sp; When the birds return from the race, they receive light feed
for easy digestion.&n= bsp; The birds must always eat first, then be
given access to water (vitamins, electrolytes, lemon).=
&nb= sp; The birds are asked to repeat weekly, as long as they are
healthy and their recovery period is satisfactory.
&nb= sp; We give no special consideration to cocks nor hens, however
we feel hens fly well on eggs, and are more dependable= in the
longer tougher races.
&nb= sp; Top form is a combination of many things: action of the
bird in the loft, in flight, droppings, white wattle, = clear pink
throat and mouth, silky tight clean feathering, clear = feet,
bright eyes and most of all, quality time observing the birds.
&nb= sp; Mulligan's Place wishes everyone a great 1997 flying season,
and is always available to share its experiences, know= ledge and
techniques.
MULLIGAN'S PLACE
Staten Island, New York
Peter Wellington & Bob Prisco
&nb= sp; (856) 461‑8091