The stupefying effects of rain
(Internet Published) Sep 2001
I had a few young high flyers out for general training and imprinting. At
about 7 weeks old they were quite able to fly but nevertheless a risk if by
chance they got too high or at distant a range. The trick is to keep them
under restraint and to keep them from any wild flying while they are a
little older and have developed their navigational skills. In ornithological
terms they must be thoroughly imprinted upon the loft area before being
encouraged to fly for very long times or at high altitudes.
The very best of high flying pigeons and those that will fly marathon times
are apt to be very highly-strung, excitable and nervous. They need to be
restrained during the early training period. Otherwise they will go haywire
rather like bats out of Hell to be lost forever. Control, restrain,
discipline - we all know that any pigeon, dog, horse or man can be broken by
starvation and yet I say that this is not the way. It is cruel, against the
law and defies all human decency. Healthy appetite is one thing and blind
desperate hunger is another. No they are restrained by careful relationship
between master and the kit of pigeons. It has been said that pigeons make
excellent servants but very bad masters.
Regarding my few trainees, well what happened was this. A sudden storm and a
2-inch rainfall caused a complete breakdown of discipline. We all know that
the initial plumage is less water-resistant than that of adults. Apart from
that we all know that wet pigeons become stupefied and forget that they are
ready for a feed. The bottom line is that my trainees squatted on top of my
loft and completely ignored my coaxing to get them into the loft as usual.
The lesson is not to get them wet if you are in a hurry to get the trainees
inside. However, this stupefying restraint and control effect of water can
be used to rehabilitate new pigeons, to settle and calm down trainees. There
is nothing better than hosing them down with a fine spray of water if you
have the time.
The problem is that modern man has not the time to indulge in a hobby. He
constantly has to look at his watch. Confucius said "clocks and watches are
the implements of slaves" and I certainly agree with that!