Article Published: 25 September 2009
By Rassie Erasmus

A special thank you. (Do not overdose)
When travelling you eat mostly in restaurants, so I've seen my share of restaurant personnel, some who’s good and other’s whose services leaves a lot to be desired. To a few who are outstanding at what they do, you thank with a special tip. One example of excellent service is those waiters who check regularly to see if you need more water without being asked. Who automatically check to see if you need ketchup or anything else? It just feels good when someone cares enough to anticipate your needs.

If anticipating your needs mean something in a restaurant, imagine how much more it will mean to your birds. Anticipate the times that they're going to need you to physically just be there. Did you know that caring can make your birds win? Care is really at its best when it's thinking about your pigeons; thinking about them enough to anticipate their needs and do all you can to meet that need. I had a Pigeon called Colesberg Nooi, three times winner from Colesberg 650km. When she returned from a race I could pick her up from my shoulder to remove the ring, If that is not trust, then what is?

Now what do this have to do with overdosing you will ask. Well, I am talking about your pigeons’ needs. All they ask are enough care and love, so much love that they will come home for it, maybe not win, but home!. A home where there is love and care and always water and good food. I know of fanciers (good ones ) that deprive their birds of water for the day in order to make the birds so thirsty that they are forced to drink what ever are put into the drinker. They might win the race that week, but o boy, they are going to be beaten for the next 4 to 5 races. So there are only three ways of how you can overdose. The one I mentioned and the other by adding more as recommended or for to long a period. Note that this includes antibiotics, vitamins and feeding. On a long distance race ( 800km + ) when the weather is hot, try the following for a sure finish in the top.

Wet the food with Avisol and add Viroban. Mix well and give them as much as they want. This will be on a Thursday night basketing, including the bird that’s not racing. If the birds are fed on the truck they will not eat anything, in fact they will be in a super form for the race. What I am trying to say is, you want your birds to peak on race day, so why in this world would you give them anything to recover when they return from a race. What they need on return are Epsom salts and barley. It does not help if I say Epsom salt and you don't know the formula, so here it is.
Formula should be like this.

Aloe Mixture
The Aloe Mix should be in a liquid form, 2dsp in a 2L bottle
Note: That 2L bottle of Aloe can last the entire season.

This mixture is for 5 litre water.
Teaspoon 5ml
Dessertspoon 10ml

2 dessertspoons Epson salt, ¼ teaspoon salt, boil for 30 minutes and add ¾ cup sugar, boil for another 2 minutes. Let it cool down and ad 1 teaspoon Bicarbonate of soda and 2 dessertspoons Aloe and 2 teaspoons Terramycin

The mix must be cooled down to below 30deg before the Bicarbonate of soda and Terramycin are added. We don't want the good to be killed with a higher temp.

Be smart at what you do for your birds, trust me, you will get a special thank you with a special tip for all your care and special attention.

Regards
Rassie