The Pigeons have come once again to the rescue as the best antidepressant medicine. I got myself preoccupied in matching and mating some of my fresh imports as soon as they appeared half way through malting. My experience with Fall breeding that it had given me a plenty of time to prepare the young for early spring flights. The weather is great now in Southern California for breeding and late Winter and early Spring brings a decline of Hawks in our area due to their migration North. I have followed that system with my first importation, which had resulted on releasing thirteen out of twenty five birds produced that year from a distance of thirty one miles. All birds homed back in good timing and that could not have been possible without good Spring training.
Applying Boric acid or similar compound to the water bath once a week is indispensable while malting. It's the best remedy for preventing pigeon lice and keeping feathers sturdy. When I was in Egypt last July, I found that many fanciers use the Pyrethrum products in their water bath. You could also buy it from any pigeon or bird supplier as well in the US and their addresses are supplied in the links section of this site. I have also used IVOMIC twice a year to enhance the effect of the Boric acid. It is said that it inhibits intestinal worms as well. On the same subject Michael Phares sprinkles sulfur granules on the feed to enhance feathers during malt.
On my last Egyptian trip I brought seventeen new birds that are currently being bred with my birds. The quarantine prices have gone up 30%!. Overseas shipping has increased also. In all, I spent 28 days and that was my longest stay in Egypt in 20 years. The highlight of my visit was that, and by pure circumstances, I met fanciers that I grew up with and visited some of their lofts. When you meet some of these entrusted people, you know that you will be exposed to better and more sources. In addition to that I met a distinguished person "Mr. Samir Elneklawy" who stands out as a person and fancier. I became acquainted with Samir through the Internet. His cousin Yehia Mosharafa, whom I had known through the pigeons in my early days in Egypt, had stumbled into my site and decided to give me phone call. It was 4:00 AM Los Angles time and we carried a good conversation while I was half a sleep. Unfortunately I regret not being able to meet Yehia upon my visit to Samir, but hopefully I will be lucky enough to see him next time. The following three pictures were taken at Samirs house (or rather mansion), so let's visit with him briefly.
Samir's on the left and Omar Salem, my son, pose for a pictures in Samir's
miniature Zoo. Samir loves animals and birds. A trade grows with many of
us fanciers. He is animal conservationist, A Trophy Hunter, Scuba diver
and enjoys high sees fishing. On the background you could note the Arabian
Orix standing on a rocky ridge, simulating their environment in the wild.
The Orix live on a chain of rocky mountains at approximately 3000 to
4000 feet high, in southern Egypt. We were able to spot a youngster
(next to male) but Samir warned us not to get very close or try to pet
because the male would not hesitate to use his massive horns on us.
If you sought that the dates on the palm trees in the back are eatable,
you guessed correctly, and he tells me they are extra sweet because
of the ever lasting fertilizer.
Now let's move to more pigeon stuff, which are his breeding compartments.
The enclosure for the breeder is another elaborate structure, made of red wood and occupies the highest part of his three story villa. It is covered all the way around by individual glass windows to accommodate for the weather changes. It's top is covered by a lattice canopy for direct sun and air.
Samir and Adel pose for a picture taken by Omar. Omar has grown from a kid screaming on the video "Duel in the sky" to a growing man majoring in political science and national security at Univ.of Arizona.
E-mail and others: I have tried to answer every and each e-mail as fast as I could and even while vaccationing in Egypt. I will share my thoughts on some of them with you next letter, but in the mean time I would like to stress that you should breed for wide mandibles and short face in the Otati's, Anbary's and all the Reds. Also avoid any dip between the beak and the skull. It should be complete sweep and there is no exception.
California Pageant is coming up from the 15 to the 17th of November. Hope to see you there. I will go for one day on Saturday the 17th. This year has been scary enough and I don't think that Halloween will top it, but nonetheless have a happy Halloween and wish all of you the best.
Next letter will be after thanks giving, so enjoy the trimming and may peace be upon us.
