Variations in Metabolism
(Internet Published) Aug 2001
From ancient writings, the Sheffield Tipplers were described as being always
hungry. From my own observations, that was because of the local system of
flying training using Barley. The old Sheffield Tipplers were trained and
selected for their ability to withstand a certain degree of malnutrition.
At this time I fly a kit of 50 Tumblers closely inbred but I find that there
is diversity in metabolism. Some of my birds seem to be perpetually hungry
while others are never ravenously hungry on my standard issue of feed -
mostly wheat at the rate of no more than one ounce per day per pigeon.
I own pigeons that would consume more than the standard of one ounce. I own
pigeons of the same family which would not take more than more. Frankly, I
prefer the specimens that are not so greedy. I would never breed with
specimens that were greedy of perpetually hungry. The problem is that mass
feeding may not compensate for the slow peckers but it may tend to overfeed
to others, which may then become uncontrollable.
For this reason, with contest Tipplers, it is essential to isolate each kit
pigeon and feed according to its needs. The great Gordon Hughes used to
count the grains given to his individually caged kit pigeons. However a
Tippler kit is usually three so there is no problem. But my kit of Tumblers
is usually about 50. To provide individual cells would be too much of a
chore for me.
On the whole I do very well, but a few of my Tumblers of low metabolism are
apt to be a nuisance sometimes and are most reluctant to enter my loft. If
such as these get wet in the rain they feel no sense of hunger and simply
will not enter the loft. Meanwhile, others are keen to dive into the loft
for a little wheat at any time.
With Tipplers intended for time I find that specimens which are of low
metabolism are the best. It is written that the best of Tipplers can go 40
hours with no food of water without showing any kind of distress.