What has changed in the 2024 racing year?

'We changed the feeding system and used mixtures from a new, different manufacturer.

The products from Röhnfried have remained and were also used in 2024. The doses of Carni-Speed, Blitzform, Hexenbier and the Flugfit tablets are particularly important to us. The pigeons are always given these before important flights!'

What changes have you made in 2024 and how did it go?

'As you can read in the last reports, we tried out a few new things this year. Not feeding the tried and tested Relax-Energy system as planned, but a completely new system and manufacturer. The supply of by-products remained largely unchanged.

What was noticeable was that the pigeons had lost their last bit of speed (only 2x 1st place on the adult bird race). This year, practically every flying weekend had different weather conditions and from June onwards almost every flight was postponed. So we cannot really say how meaningful the trial with the new feeding system was.

In the end, however, many 1st championships and best individual birds were won in the RV. We also became 1st internal champions in the Reg. Association with 4 of the 6 previously named pigeons in the last 8 flights.

So the new feeding system was certainly not a failed attempt, but as already mentioned, we lacked a bit of speed and the good results on the 400+500km flights.'

What is the highlight of the 2024 season?

'The highlight is certainly the national flight from Chateauroux (620km). We could win the 2nd national prize there! The special thing about it was that I got the 2022 pigeon from my friend Simon Ullrich. A son from his Olympic Gentleman. The special thing: 3 minutes before the pigeon arrived, I got a call from Simon asking if there were any pigeons there yet.'

How did the young pigeon flight go? Were there any special features? Which vaccinations were carried out, with or without success?

'This year, 'only' 70 young pigeons were bred for us. As in previous years, these were vaccinated twice against rotaviruses and once against paramyxo-herpes. 66 pigeons were placed on the final flight (2 injured at home). We were able to win this with a double victory in the RegV! And achieved a great overall result with 66/55 prizes. The young pigeons were fed with a new feed mixture from Mifuma, which we were allowed to test. They received this mixture 5 days a week.'

In general, it can be said that in the Fuchs and Wolf loft community, all lofts are available in duplicate. Johann looks after one loft, while Josef looks after the other. Now we would like to find out more about the past racing year.

The 2023 season

“In our SG, feeding and caring for the pigeons is always discussed extensively. After a few test years (from 2021), we have now set a fixed plan with by-products for the upcoming racing year. The feeding of the pigeons should be the focus and should be further optimized. However, we can rightly say: A sentence with an X, that was probably nothing! The pigeons did not get into shape right at the start of the race, which led to increased losses. It was strange to observe that, for example, the loft that followed the previous approach started counting up to 10 minutes earlier. The prize yield was also considerably different. The situation was even worse and more frustrating when we returned to the old system and still didn't have any success. We did manage to win one or two top prizes, including two consecutive regional victories, but the successes of previous years were no longer achievable. All championships, especially those mentioned above, could no longer be achieved. In the young bird race, we then tried to learn from the mistakes of the 2023 adult bird race and were successful.”

How did the young bird race go for you?

“In the “experimental loft” Fuchs, we started with 76 young pigeons, 74 of which successfully completed six prize races. Not only the number of pigeons left, but also their flight behavior in the loft and their arrival in groups after the prize flights were new to us and a pleasant experience after such a disappointing adult bird trip.'

Which vaccinations were carried out and were they successful?

'This year we vaccinated twice with RP and once with PH, as there was a feeling that PHA would have done more harm than good. We were very satisfied with the vaccination concept this year. The young pigeons were transported 11 times in the cabin express and showed no signs of the young bird disease.

As in the past, we fed the pigeons with Röhnfried products, with particular attention being paid to Carni-Speed, Blitzform, Rotosal and Bt Amin forte.”

What changes are planned for 2024?

“For 2024, we plan to reuse the feed composition from 2017-2019. We will supplement our tried and tested Relax Energy mixture with a few additions of hemp and peeled sunflower seeds.”