Nov/December 2025

CHINESE OWLS – Page 30 – Purebred PIGEON Breed of the Issue - CHINESE OWLS 14 pair as all the other pens are empty until I start weaning young birds that go into the open pens. I usually get 50-60 young each year with the 16 or so pairs but have raised over 100 when I had more breeding pairs. I also have what I call the “overflow” loft that is 10x14 and has a 10x10 open section with 2 individual pens and a 10x4 section for storage, an individual pen and 2 “hospital” pens if needed. This is where I house cocks as I am splitting them up at the end of the season and for quarantining any new birds. It sits empty all but a couple months each year. I’ve designed my open pens to have box type perches along one wall only. The reason being if they can only roost along one wall the dropping are mostly along that wall. I put a cheap brand of cat litter under the perches and it makes it easier to clean especially in winter. Otherwise I’d have to “chisel” it up to clean. Scraping twice a week makes the job easier than doing it once a month or longer. I personally would be ashamed to have a visitor to the loft and them see a months worth of droppings on the floor. As I said earlier the lofts should be well ventilated. I have 4 roof vents, 3 low vents, a vent in each gable end, and 3 win- dows that open. Damp stale air is bad for people and imagine having to live in your loft. I’m guessing you’d want plenty of fresh air. I used to use ground cobs in the winter but found them hard to get so went to the cheap cat litter and only under the perches. I would use the cobs if I could find a place that sold them on a regular basis and cover the entire floor in the winter. I used to get them from a company 3 miles away that would let me buy a couple bags each winter, now they say I have to buy a pallet full each time. I just don’t get it I live in Iowa and have trouble finding ground cobs! Go figure. I use the individual pens to be sure of parentage so there is no hanky panky going on and I also think it makes for faster growing young and they also seem to learn to eat and drink quicker. I use plastic dog dishes for nest bowls as you can wash and reuse them rather than the paper pulp that are sometimes not long lasting enough for one round. I use the felt nest pads to line them with as my birds don’t seem to be the greatest at nest building. I built my individuals to fit the area available and the size of the dropping pans. I would prefer they be 36” wide but have them at about 32-34 due to the space. If you plan to build individuals, I would suggest build- ing them to fit the dropping pans and of course the space you have. Each pen has a pint water cup and a feed tray for each pair along with a grit container. I remember in the early years I would use fruit crates or anything I could get my hands on to make nest boxes and oth- er things. I made many trips to the local dump for such items. I looked at it as going shopping for free! S how P rep /S howing I like to coop train my birds a little at a time, getting them used to being in the coops having to be moved around by a hand or judging stick. I also play a radio in the loft 24/7 to get them used to the sound of people talking and general noise. I also handle the birds from time to time so they are used to being picked up and looked over. Basically you want to mimic what would happen at a show as best you can. I also recommend using Ivermectin sheep drench in the water at a rate of 7 cc per gallon for three days before the show, the day of the show, and then seven days after the show. I use it at for every show and the entire loft goes on this schedule. I do any trimming, plucking, toe nail clipping well before a show so all is needed at the show is cleaning feet, and minor prepping. B uying N ew B irds When buying new birds buy with a plan in mind. Don’t just buy them because they are for sale or you want more. If you are wanting a new color to add to your loft do your research. Knowing basic genetics is very helpful. I would look at the show reports and see who is doing well in that color and contact them for help and advice. I, myself will purchase birds from time to time from breeders that I know have what I’m looking for. Some times I can just give them a call and say I’m looking for such and such and describe what I’m looking for and most times I’m okay with buying sight unseen from close friends that know what my birds are like and knowing