I usally raise between 25 to 32 YB`s each year,since I have returned to racing after an 11 year layoff....Pigeon guys here said my birds would not be any good,since I did not race them in 11 years,and I was going to lose most of them...My breeding would not be any good because I only bred yb`s in one year out of the 11 years...Well folks,here`s my total yb`s I have lost in the last 6 years since I have returned....
2004.......lost 8
2005.......lost 12
2006.......lost 8
2007.......lost 4
2008.......lost 6
2009.......lost 6....... 1 more race to go.....
My average is 7.5 birds per year.....I do have an opinion on this matter...I beleive alot of lofts here have better RACING pigeons then I do....I have good racing pigeons,but I have better HOMING pigeons then alot of people here have...I think your birds have to be both great HOMERS and GREAT RACERS at the same time...I also beleive too many lofts breed MORE pigeons then they really need,and can keep 110% healthy,all of the time....There`s an old proverb...Sometimes LESS is MORE !!!.....Try breeding LESS YB`s from your BEST pairs....Switch your eggs to foster parents...Breed 40 Yb`s,and give them the best care,and clean loft etc...And maybe you will not lose so many...Maybe your just losing all the DUD`s,that you should have not have bred, to begin with....Alamo