research help needed- rehoming

[illona haus]

Hi all,

I have joined this forum only briefly for the purpose of researching an aspect of my most recent novel. I write psychological thrillers, and the finale in my book involves homing pigeons.

Here is my scenario:
An individual in my book has kept homing pigeons for some years, however, he recently moved to a new house and relocated his loft. Approx. 4 months ago, he decided to get out of pigeons and sold off his birds (as breeding stock, I'd imagine?). Detectives in my book rely on a couple of these sold birds to direct them to the house of this individual (after his death).

So here are my questions....
How long (minimum) would the birds have had to be at the new location/the new house in order for them to rehome to that house? or would we need to rely on birds that had been born and raised there? and if so, what is the timeframe on that?

And, if these sold birds are to lead detectives to this individual's house, what is the maximum time they could have been sold and have them still home to the individual's house?

Thanks in advance for whatever help you can offer.

I will try to check back on the forum, but would prefer to receive emails privately at illona@rogers.com.

Thanks again!
illona

[Lin Hansen]

Hi illona,

Welcome to Pigeons.com. The book sounds great. We have many members who should be able to help you with your questions and I am sure you will receive some answers shortly. I do not actually "keep" pigeons, so sorry I cannot be of more help.

When your book is published, please make sure to come back and give us the title, etc. I know I would be interested in reading it and I am sure other members would as well.

Good luck,
Linda

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Hello Illona,

Even if for only a brief period, thank you for visiting our site. I will try to put together for you some general information concerning the homing pigeon, also known as the "Racing Pigeon". There are exceptions to the rule, but I will attempt to share with you some "General" guidelines concerning this exceptional bird.

It is generally accepted that once a homing/racing pigeon has "imprinted" on his home, that he or she, will always attempt to return to "home". This imprinting occurs sometime after weaning, which is 28 to 35 days, and several months of age.

After the bird reaches sexually maturity at around six months of age, it becomes very difficult to resettle a bird to a new home, with any degree of certainty. After a bird reaches a year old, it is referred to as an "old bird" and in most cases must become a life long prisoner at a new loft location.

I have heard of cases where a bird, obtained a mate at a new loft, and was "resettled", to this loft. However, when he was placed in a race a couple of years later, he returned to the "Old" loft. I have also heard stories where a bird was held as a prisoner for ten years, and one day escaped, you guessed it, he returned to his old loft after 10 years of being in captivity !!

In your story, a guy could relocate his birds to a new loft. He could have taken with him some birds that were a few months old. After a few months of flying around this new house, he sells them. Several months later, they are released from wherever they are, and fly back "Home" to the deceased owner.

Just a small tidbit of information, that could be useful, homing pigeons have found their way home from as far away as 3000 miles. Although a typical long distance race today is "Only" 600 miles. For a bird less then a year old, anything under 350 miles is very possible.

Hope this helps.

[re lee]

Warren thouched on most of the bases covering homers. You might think that the detectives put a chip on the birds to track them to the old home. As they would be hard to follow. Good luck with the book.

[illona haus]

Thank you so much, especially to Warren.

This is exactly what I needed. I can easily go with the younger birds being the ones that are homed to the new location.

Another question, more out of curiosity.... If this guy has a couple dozen birds (or more) and moves, what does he do with the older birds that can't be rehomed to the new location? Are they simply kept as breeders? sold as breeders?

And I have one more question that has nothing to do with homing....and I'm sure I could research and find the answer, but it can probably be answered quickly by one of you... Feed: can there be special mixes of feed that are more suited and preferred for racing birds? that are made up and sold specifically to racers, perhaps, by someone who races as well (not just a feed store) but by someone who does nothing but sell pigeon supplies?

And Linda, this particular book is slotted for May 2006. The pigeons aren't by any means the main feature, however they do save the day at the end of the book by locating the house where a victim has been held captive.

thanks again,
illona

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Hello again Illona,

For my "help" why not name one of your characters "Warren"

If a fancier was to relocate his loft, he may very well conduct a "moving sale" and sell off some of his pigeons. The key word here is "some", more then likely he would want to retain some of his very best old birds, which can not be retrained to the new loft, as breeders.

"Feed: can there be special mixes of feed that are more suited and preferred for racing birds? that are made up and sold specifically to racers, perhaps, by someone who races as well (not just a feed store) but by someone who does nothing but sell pigeon supplies?"

Yes, feed is a very special part of keeping racing pigeons. There are dozens of various commercial mixes formulated just for pigeons. More often then not, it is sold by people who specialize in pigeon supplies.

PS. Please make me a "nice" guy in the book, I want to be able to buy the book for my Mom and family.

[illona haus]

The role is yours, Warren. As I'm currently writing the finale of the book, most of the characters are already named, however, the guy who owns and runs the store catering to racing pigeons has not been cast. It's a small part, mind you...but you would be required for some dialogue as well as an active role in the finale where a couple birds are released from a church bell-tower.

You up for it? Just give me a last name, your own or made up....the disclaimer of course always stands that "all characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the writer.... and no pigeons were harmed in the writing of this book."

illona

[SmithFamilyLoft]

You up for it? Just give me a last name, your own or made up....the disclaimer of course always stands that "all characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the writer.... and no pigeons were harmed in the writing of this book."

illona

OK !!!!

How about the last name "SMITH".

Believe it or not, that is the name on my birth certificate.

[Lin Hansen]

This is great.....a book where pigeons save the day and our own Warren Smith is a character! You better believe I will want to read this book! Please come back and remind us near the publishing date with the title you decide on....Thanks!

Linda

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Hey Warren.

thanks again for all your pigeon help. the finale of the book is awesome! i'm sorry i couldn't make your role bigger....and I have NO idea if I've got the description right!

anyway, here's my website....finally have it up and live.

www.illonahaus.com

take care!
illona

I just recieved the above email. Check out Illona's new book at:

www.illonahaus.com

We all ready know, that our homing pigeon friends help to catch a serial murderer !!!!

[re lee]

Great And I might just get a copy. Good that you are in the book warren. And that it relates to pigeons saving the day. In helping to capture a killer.

[SmithFamilyLoft]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...955134-0041517

If you send the book to me, I will autograph and forward to you. Please include shipping and handling !!

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Originally Posted by illona haus

Hi all,

I have joined this forum only briefly for the purpose of researching an aspect of my most recent novel. I write psychological thrillers, and the finale in my book involves homing pigeons.

Here is my scenario:
An individual in my book has kept homing pigeons for some years, however, he recently moved to a new house and relocated his loft. Approx. 4 months ago, he decided to get out of pigeons and sold off his birds (as breeding stock, I'd imagine?). Detectives in my book rely on a couple of these sold birds to direct them to the house of this individual (after his death).

So here are my questions....
How long (minimum) would the birds have had to be at the new location/the new house in order for them to rehome to that house? or would we need to rely on birds that had been born and raised there? and if so, what is the timeframe on that?

And, if these sold birds are to lead detectives to this individual's house, what is the maximum time they could have been sold and have them still home to the individual's house?

Thanks in advance for whatever help you can offer.

I will try to check back on the forum, but would prefer to receive emails privately at illona@rogers.com.

Thanks again!
illona

Who would have guessed that this would have been the start of multi-million's of copies...Best Seller ?

[Jiggs]

I remember this thread and I do congratulate you on your "nomination" for the oscars.

Whats a bet Illona on retirement gets a homer for company!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SmithFamilyLoft]

It was fun at first. The local newspapers and TV crews all wanting to cover the story. But now my wife and I can't go to the local mall without crowds of people pushing and shoving. And the Paparazzi !! Forget it, not a moments rest, or any privacy anymore. We have had to change our phone number, and hire additional security to keep people off our lawn. My best advice, is don't become this famous, if you can help it !!