Conditioning to Win

by Clint Robertson

 

Proper conditioning is critical if one is to win Champion at the shows. The effect of conditioning in Jacobins is probably more dramatic than in any other breed of pigeons. I have seen Champion-quality Jacobins placed at the bottom of their class because they were not in proper condition. On the other hand, I have also seen Jacobins of lesser quality go on to win their classes because they were brought out in immaculate condition.

The job of getting your Jacobins ready for the fall shows begins in early summer. Your show birds should be split up, the cocks from the hens, by mid-July in order for the moult to begin on time. Sometimes you can get away with leaving your pairs together longer if you don’t allow them to raise or feed any youngsters, because this is quite stressful and will considerably slow down the moult.

When you split up your birds, this is also a good time to delouse and de-worm your birds. I treat my birds individually with injectable Ivomec which is administered orally at a dose of 2 drops per bird. This treatment must be repeated in two weeks. Ivomec will effectively control all internal parasites,i.e.,worms and any blood sucking parasites. To control lice and mites, I spray my birds with a Raid. I do this outdoors. I spray each bird once under each wing, around the vent area and on each side in the rose. I repeat this in two weeks and I do not have a parasite problem.

Space is very important. Jacobins are aggressive and they need lots of room to stay in condition. I allow four square feet of floor space per bird, along with the nesting boxes which are used as perches in the off season. Old cockbirds require even more room.

Many breeders individually pen their Jacobins to get them in condition for the shows, but this is a lot of work and I choose not to do so. It is however very effective.

Once you get your birds settled into a compartment for the moult, do not change them around or try to introduce new birds.This will disrupt the pecking order and lead to trouble-resulting in fighting and loss of valuable feathers.

Keep your Jacobins clean and dry, and allow them plenty of sunlight. I use pine wood chips on the floor for bedding and I rake out the feathers and dried droppings whenever necessary.

Provide your birds with a good healthy diet with plenty of protein for feather growth and development. I feed extra peas during the moult. I also give vitamins in the drinking water once a week. Allow your birds to bath regularly.

Once the better birds begin to emerge, I eliminate the poorer specimens to give the good ones more space.

Handle your birds and get them used to the show pen. Try not to get them overly quiet or they will not show properly. Your Jacobin should stand freely at attention with little or no coaxing. You should be able to touch your birds in the judging pen without frightening them.

Moulting in Jacobins is a long, slow process which can often last from late August into December. However, the end result of a successful moult is well worth the wait. If you keep your Jacobins in a stress-free, healthy environment, they will thrive. When your Jacobins are stressed, it will show up on their feather development with very negative results.

Just remember aside from a good diet and clean, dry housing, lots of space is probably the one most important factor in successfully conditioning Jacobins for the show.

You will find that if you look after your Jacobins properly in the months leading up to the shows, you will not have to wash them before you show them. In all the years that I have shown Jacobins, I have never had to wash a bird to show it. The only other thing I recommend is that you trim the toenails on your birds at least two to three weeks before the shows. Jacobins with long toenails cannot stand properly.

I have been complimented many times on the fine condition of my Jacobins and I have also won at many shows. There is really no secret to proper conditioning of Jacobins-most of it is common sense. Good luck at the shows.

                                Written by Clint Robertson <clint@jacobins.ca>