Continental Breeding Station 405-691-1313

Continental Breeding Station
405-691-1313

This is the first of our CBS Articles. We're glad you are checking it out. These articles will be published regularly and will include topics of general interest to pigeon flyers, as well as info on some of our key birds. We hope you enjoy them- if you have topics you would like to see covered, please let us know and we will try to give it a good shot.

Feeding Breeders

An old saying that applies to any type of livestock or animal is, "They never get over a bad start, and they'll always benefit from a good start." We think there's a lot of truth in that statement. And, that's why we put a lot of importance on the feeding of our breeders at CBS. If you're going to grow and develop nice youngsters, it's important to do a first-rate job of feeding the breeders.

We have our breeders on full feed. What does that mean? Very simply, it means that breeding pairs receive all they want and need. Feed is in front of them all of the time. While we do not say that there is only one way to feed, we'll share with you how we do it at CBS.

Breeders receive a standard grain mix. In addition, we feed Canadian peas free choice so that we get the protein level up. We also free choice a balanced layer pellet (15% protein). Though formulated for chickens, these pellets work fine with pigeons. We like the pellets because they are balanced, meaning they contain added vitamins and trace minerals. Finally, the birds have constant access to fresh grit and a granular mineral. The mineral is available at most any feed store. We use a "Super 8" cattle mineral that runs about 20% calcium and 8% phosphorous.

At CBS, we wean at about 25 days of age. To wean healthy, vigorous babies, we think it's important that their parents be fed well at all times. If you ever pay us a visit, you'll see that the youngsters we wean from later rounds are every bit as nice as those from the first round. A good feeding program for the breeders is a big part of the reason for this.

Kit Youngsters

Looking for the best value in American pigeon racing? If so, you need to consider a kit of CBS youngsters. We have been selling them for years; they are a proven value. They have always been a great buy for CBS clients and, if anything, they are better today than ever. Available in groups of six, ten or twenty, your young bird kit is shipped to you at 28 to 30 days of age - just right for settling into your loft.

Flying kits are available in all of our strains. You can specify the strain(s) you want, or we will be happy to make selections for you. These youngsters are grandchildren of the CBS record birds. You receive well bred, pedigreed, and healthy birds that are economically priced. The real value - the real payoff - is in the performance you receive. We have a long list of flyers who have scored, and scored big, with birds they purchased in a CBS flying kit.

If you are looking to freshen up your genetics, or to simply try something new and different in your loft, please give us a call about a kit of young birds. You may also want to consider a premium kit. But don't wait too long - breeding season will soon be over. We take pride in providing you the best value in American pigeon racing!

CBS Catalogs

We appreciate your interest in and response to the catalogs we have issued in the past. We also want to let you know what you can expect from CBS in the way of catalogs over the next year or so. We plan to develop small, yet more detailed, individual catalogs on our major lines and strains. The first of these, beginning with Janssens, will be available this summer. The information will be up to date, with photos and results.

This fall we will again issue a sales catalog. You will be able to see photos of some of the actual birds that are available to you. The response to this one has been tremendous in the past; it's something we plan to continue. As always, though, don't wait on a catalog if you have breeding stock needs. Give us a call.

Power of the Bath

There are many things that go into good loft management. One practice, sometimes overlooked, is providing the birds a bath. Think about it. Are there many things that you personally find more refreshing than a shower or bath? The same has to apply to pigeons.

A bath given even weekly will have your birds feeling better and looking better. You receive a benefit in the nice feather quality of your birds. Bathing seems to calm and quiet birds, particularly widowhood cocks. There may well be an even greater benefit. I can't document it, but I've always felt a bath is good for the heart and soul of the pigeon. Regular bathing helps build the love of the loft and the bird's bond to the loft. Again, I can't prove it. It just seems right. As you observe how much your birds enjoy a bath, I think you'll agree that it makes sense.

There are various theories as to when is the ideal, or most advantageous time to give your birds a bath. Some advocate the day after return from a race. Others recommend two days before shipping, and some the afternoon of shipping. I'm not so sure anyone really knows the true optimum time for bathing. The more important point it seems is that you do it, and you do it regularly.