UkPigeonRacing

So what are members thoughts, on the downing on the floor from the young birds on darkness system?

This is Christoph and leon loft in Germany, it will not be cleaned until September.

I've done it devo took 3 yrs of natural health to kick in ,it's a good way to get strong healthy young birds but it's awful for us mate it made me really unwell so since 2017 it's clean out 2x Aday ,,results are same but first way is good if ya bit lazy .

Anthony webster wrote: ↑Sun Jun 09, 2024 12:51 pm I've done it devo took 3 yrs of natural health to kick in ,it's a good way to get strong healthy young birds but it's awful for us mate it made me really unwell so since 2017 it's clean out 2x Aday ,,results are same but first way is good if ya bit lazy .

I always used protective clothing, but it still got to me Antony. I am now suffering with ILD, it takes its toll.

I like to see clean lofts

I don’t use darkness and much prefer cleaning out every day

Its not for me

I wouldn’t race my YB like that

I would clean my lofts 4 times a day, a great way of observing the birds at different times of the day.

I don't know much about darkness but it looks likevthey are doing what they should be, and getting rid of those down/body feathers !!
As for the deep litter, mine are on deep litter again this year, I personally quite like it, butbtyen again I am lazy lol
I was still cleaning out the perches, nest boxes and the worst soiled areas weekly and putting down a loft dressing. Part of the reason I've done this is because of the problems I had with my roof leaking and because I have far too many birds, the other reason is that due to me having a hernia operation in January, then Cataract Surgery in March and then Mum becoming poorly in April I've just simply had to do what is simplest and they not now been cleaned out for weeks. I will hopefully go back to cleaning out weekly for next season but definitely won't be doing them daily.
Having said all that, we do have several club members who don't clean their youngsters out at all until racing is finished.

In my YB loft the YB could never come into contact with their droppings

I've yet to see a loft persuade me that that isn't the most hygenic way of operating