Variation in Metabolism
(Internet Published) Nov 2000
In a given family or strain of Tipplers that has been kept and selectively
bred successfully for several years with marathon times in mind, we may
think that the metabolism would be the same in every "likely" specimen. In
fact, the working weights of each Tipplers belonging to a marathon intended
kit should be the same or with just a slight tolerance. To achieve the ideal
working weights, first of all for training, and then for the actual marathon
attempts, we may be able to get away with feeding the kit as a kit but
sometimes this will not do.
Maybe one member is able to grab more than its fair share at the expense of
another and the consequences may show up in subsequent training and
certainly during an attempt at a marathon fly. For this reason, men took up
the idea of isolating each kit member into its own cell so that the feed
intake was known, even to the least pea. It was found and will continue to
be found that this is not the complete answer due to variations in
metabolism. One kit member will be over fed or under fed on this ration and
the consequence is failure in one of several ways.
It is in training where a man must detect variation in character, control or
discipline, so he must watch his kit very ,very closely in training for it
is rather too late to start on the day of the marathon fly. A fancier, who
puts out his kit for training and goes off to work or to bed, will never see
such potential failures until the day of the fly and then he ends up with a
poor result, a disqualification and a long face! It may become necessary to
cut the feed of some potential rogue, or to increase the feed of one who
seems to lack the stamina. It is remarkable how a few grain plus or minus
will make a difference.
There is however, one serious caution. We must never, never be competing
with round worms, hair worms, etc. The birds must be worm free. By removing
all droppings each day I find that I have no problems with worms. Anyone who
is in doubt at all should worm out his birds conventionally. Do not forget
that an under fed pigeon is more likely to become worm infected and is less
capable of coping with such parasites.