Secrets to selecting your breeding pigeons.

[@tomsullivan8435]

So much good advice here! The art of breeding champion pigeons is fascinating, and Frank has nailed it in less than 15 minutes. In the end, the basket decides, everything else is just theory until you have a long list of wins.

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Hi Tom, Thank you!

[@ritikapigeons]

​@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons I checked my birds today and hardly 2 pairs has white nails. Few have mixed nails, black and white. 90% has black nails. How should I select now ? Kindly advise

[@tastyfishsauce4410]

I remembered my $5 pigeons, all were hitch-hikers on race days but back then I was just happy they made it home. I agree because as far as I remember, all good, sustained successful racers did have good stock to begin with. Thank you.

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

No matter what you do you still need good pigeons. You are right.

[@AdrianP_loft]

If only guys would listen. But that’s wishful thinking. Still I appreciate your thoughts and information, my best friend and mentor Warren sessink has told me for years how much you mean to him and he was absolutely right. Your a real pigeon flyer.

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Hello Adrian, You have a great mentor and friend in Warren. I just love the man. He is one of the few pigeon fanciers that I actually will talk in depth pigeons with. He has a great mind and sees things that most do not. We have shared insight with each other and I may do a video on something I have discussed with Warren but never discussed publicly.

[@AdrianP_loft]

@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons Warren is a tremendous individual and a wealth of information. It goes beyond pigeons for us. Hate to say it but his retirement from the sport has been a blessing, he now spends Saturdays at my house enjoying some coffee and a pastry and watching the birds come home from the race. I very much look forward for race day to spend more time with my friend. Life is short. Value the time we get, it’s only borrowed.

[@johnscotto676]

Hi Frank just wanted to tell you I really appreciate you making these videos thank you. I look forward to Future and new videos from you!

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Hi John, This is nice of you and I am having fun. I just run the camera and go one take. I hope to keep improving on the videos and will keep making them. I have about one million more to go. lol

[@jasonjordan9101]

I was just talking to my buddy about Piet deWeerd and you said word for word what he said about how he was so successful at selecting . 😁

[@goldeneyeloft]

Thanks Frank. Champion breeder come in all shape and sizes. good to know different techniques of breeding , I am new to breeding, wants to learn more how to breed good birds. I will watching your fantastic channel.

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

I will keep the videos coming.

[@craig7555]

In racing pigeons we are all leaning the time you stop learning is the time you go backwards sometimes the best birds are gift birds 👍

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

This is so true. I go to every seminar and feel we can all learn something from each other.

[@hennessyloftnewyorkpigeonr9848]

Thanks another great video this is my second season I’m glad you put to rest all the theories the old timers would tell me to look for

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Old timers have been repeating what their grand fathers said 70 years ago. When they tell you something ask 'Why do you do that'? If they do not have an answer they do not have much of a reason to do it. I always asked 'why' as a kid. Must have driven the old guys crazy. I forged my own path in this sport and did not take the myths seriously. Pigeons are mostly common sense.

[@AdamArcherPigeons]

Excellent video. If more fanciers selected like this (rather than the crackpot theories many use) the breed would improve exponentially.

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Hi Adam, You are so right. This game is not difficult. Happy you like my videos and I will keep them coming. I have been lucky to handle the best pigeons in the world for for over 30 years and have looked at the pedigrees. Fairly simple and common sense stuff. Thank you, Frank

[@MoesthakeemSolomons]

Hi Frank I'm from south Africa thank u for what u doing is helping lots of new pigeon fanciers

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Glad I can help a little!

[@juliusa2487]

Awesome and as always I appreciate sharing your experience and knowledge to the world and which simple, I can in-vision as you are talking.

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Happy you enjoy my videos. I am having fun doing them and hopefully can help a little.

[@cristibrudasca7402]

Merry Christmas Mr Frank. Thank you so much for information. I have problem to ventilation in my loft maybe you put one video of ventilation information. Thank you anticipat. God bless you.

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Hello Cristi, A Ventilation Video is one I have been thinking about. So many misconceptions about ventilation that have been passed down for the last 75 years. I will do that soon.

[@cristibrudasca7402]

Thank you

[@hana-houswif-ters9433]

One reason is always expensive to bring in birds into HAWAII … Because there’s permits / quarantine requirements … I’ve heard stories from local breeders buying expensive birds from aboard … Was disappointed in bird and confronted owner he had sold him a junk bird … For me in starting up new … I’d like to see if local breeders would sell or donate there birds … 😮 GRAET INFO FRANK, THANK YOU HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAYS

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Glad you enjoyed! Hope you have much success. Happy Holidays!

[@blitzkreegy4232]

Excellent information at all levels

[@cRAZy2176]

Great advice. Thank you. Love and respect from the UK

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Happy you like the videos

[@Lewingsloft]

I love to watch your videos, I have learned so much, lots of information, have to ever done a video on how to select young birds for olr, thank you for sharing.

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

I did do a video on selecting the young for One Loft Racing. Hope you like it, kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJTVZoJufbqgotU

[@edwardmiles4911]

Sir, good info , thanks 😊 , My system very natural, after separation of 3 months , after medicating them, my stock birds will be transfer to the stock loft, I don't pair up but let them choose their own mate ,,,70% of the time I breed some good ones of this system, otherwise I pair up according to my own selection criteria like your info,🤓 thanks a lot ,

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

You are doing great. Try to vaccinate and worm only before breeding. You should try to get away from medicating pigeons that are healthy. If they are overcrowded and not totally healthy that is different. Hope you continue the success.

[@fabricdragon]

great video! im a very new pigeon person (as in: do not yet own pigeons) and im trying to understand what so many people mean- you describe it very well!

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Glad it was helpful. Try to watch my videos to see what common sense pigeon keeping is like. You should try to listen to the Live Streams because I take many questions from beginners and established fanciers.

[@joaoricardo8376]

Sometimes years of experience tell you that you have a different bird in handsjust by touching it, but you may not be able to express in words what the point really is. It's quite weird but sometimes happens to me

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

You are so right. When I touch a bird I know instantly if it has freakish qualities in feather and muscle texture. The great ones and the game changing pigeons are just a bit different. Usually as I grab the bird, just my finger tips over the shoulders already tells me a bird is special.

[@CarranzaHugo]

Indeed

[@abrahamramirez2065]

Great video Frank

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Happy you liked it.

[@MoesthakeemSolomons]

I would love one of your staff van reed birds

[@premierleague3072]

Nice Video enjoyed it thank you happy Christmas and happy New Year .

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Thank you! Hope you also had a Merry Christmas and 2023 is a super year!

[@premierleague3072]

@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons I have a question for you I am interested in your opinion thank you in advance for a reply . I believe that most fanciers send there very best to the one loft races. Which is in your opinion the better purchase to breed ybs to send onto future OLR . A pigeon with consistent performances that performed well over all hotspots and races with a ok pedigree or a pigeon that always finished behind the above but from famous loft with a top class pedigree . Let's say that both pigeons sell at the same price .

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Most likely the pigeon with consistent performances will be a better chance for success. When some look at pedigrees, they are looking for popular names and famous fanciers. There are many great pigeons from fanciers that are not commercial or maybe even do not put much info on a pedigree. Sometimes you can find a hidden gem from a One Loft Race Auction. If you dig a bit deeper you may see this same family is scoring locally and in other one loft races. Most of the sport chases paper and it is best to chase great performance pigeons.

[@premierleague3072]

Thank you for your reply to my question.

[@grahammoore6386]

Great advice sir. Happy New Year.

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Hello Graham, Thank you and Happy New Year to you also!

[@barndawg]

Great video thank you Frank

[@topvideos-lingaw2128]

Thank you.. from Philippines

[@brucecummings3238]

A lot of good information thanks

[@jeffkaptain2919]

Great post, thank you.

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Glad you liked my video

[@jeffkaptain2919]

I am moving into year number 2 with pigeons and just finished my first YB season. So I now have some results to factor in with my pedigree pairs. Started breeding for this coming year and looking forward to my first old bird season. Thanks for your time and effort to educate us new guys

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Hey Jeff, Email me at [e-mail] and I will send you my feeding program.

[@fortytwomonthsvlog9802]

thanks for the good information..

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Happy you enjoyed.

[@harryhoudini8626]

Great video for new flier . Thank you 🙏

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

So happy you enjoyed it.

[@premierleague3072]

Happy new year I see you sent 4 ybs to the Pattaya OLR and have 3 birds going to the final 7th Jan good luck in the final .

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Thank you. I must take a look

[@premierleague3072]

@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons Do not forget to send your pedigrees to Pattaya OLR all international entries that return to the lofts are sold at auction . This year 200 pigeons are being sold on PIpa a combination of final race pigeons hotspot and ace and average ace pigeons . Then all other international entries will be sold on the Pattaya website online auction that have returned to the lofts . Auctions start 6th February on Pipa and the Pattaya online auctions will be soon after .

[@billastell3753]

@@premierleague3072 Who gets the money from the birds that are sold at Pattaya?

[@premierleague3072]

@@billastell3753 It is same as most other OLR if the owner sends a Pedigree the split is 60 percent to owner 40 percent to loft . I have been following Pattaya OLR auction so many Usa birds unsold no bids on them because no pedigree .

[@ThundercatLoft]

Frank can you do a video od some backs of your birds. Or just show us you handling some of your favorites and what stands out to you. Thanks!

[@ThundercatLoft]

Also, thank you for the upload.

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

That is something I will do. I can try to show some qualities on the pigeons and what I like. Thank you, Frank

[@ThundercatLoft]

@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons thanks!

[@petersymaeys6067]

Good advice and some off them are unique

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Happy you liked it. Thank you!

[@gregoryvanuys6575]

Good day sir. What would you recommend during breeding season for flies around the nest. I try to give them a lot of grit for dry droppings but as I also feed pellets they drink a lot of water. Droppings are wet

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

I stopped feeding pellets because they eat too much and the babies intestine and gizzard are not as strong feeding pellets. I feed a grain mix and have pellets in a feeder but the breeders do not eat many pellets. Can you switch to grain for the breeders?

[@SowadAlMughni]

When it comes to racing pigeons, carefully selecting and breeding birds with desirable traits such as speed, endurance, and agility are crucial. Some people suggest starting with four pairs and crossbreeding them to build a team, but I don't want to waste time on low-quality birds. I prefer to focus on a few bloodlines, like Best Kittle and have a group of all Best Kittle birds. In my club in Dhaka, Bangladesh, we do races in two sessions, with five to six races in each session, ranging from 85 km to 400 km. I've noticed that certain bloodlines, like Super Willy and Che, perform well in longer races but poorly in shorter ones. So, how do you select bloodlines? Do you have separate teams for different races? How do Belgian pigeon racers approach this? I've heard they focus on only one or two bloodlines, but in my club, top fanciers have 20-30 different bloodlines as their stock birds. I personally feel this is wrong, but to each their own.

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

There are usually pigeons that perform better under different distance and race speeds. If you race from 85 to 400 km the Best Kittel pigeons should be great. I find that my same hens will perform and win from short to long distance. I keep mainly pigeons with bloodlines that have been developed from 200 to 400 miles. The only real way to find out is to test the pigeons at different distances. No one has the right or wrong answer.

[@micolecastro1849]

Thanks sir frank for this video very imformative, I have Question. In your experience where do the genes of the young birds come from more. From their mother or father? thanks in advance

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Great question. I will answer on the Live Stream today.

[@Pigeonmaniacom]

Thank you, another juicy full of information video. It is good to know your opinion on pin tails and other body features. Still there are a few body features that I noticed in all my best birds and I like to look at: vent bones, throat gap, balance. Do you care about the tail going upwards / downwards / straight when handling the bird?

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

I do look at everything and the tail should not go up like a fantail pigeon but the back does not have to be super solid like a rock. I do look at throats for health and the healthiest pigeons have the best throats but I do not look if everything else is in order. The throat can show a pigeon was sick in its life which is not a good thing.

[@Jas-yi8pv]

Pardon me, but what do you mean when you say your fabry had a pupil...just a flat iris?

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

I am sorry about the confusion. The pigeon just had a red eye with a pupil and the eye sign guys at the time thought he was useless and he was a super breeder.

[@andreitamas6808]

Great video Frank!!!

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Happy you liked it. I am enjoying doing them.

[@Pumanic]

There is no audio on this clip. Every other video I click has sound but not this one.

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

No sure what is happening. This is one of my more popular videos and does have audio. You may want to see if someone can help. My 17 year old son always helps me with the computer stuff.

[@abcloft302]

Great information

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Very happy you enjoyed the video. I will keep trying to improve the videos. I just turn on the phone and go and see what happens.

[@josepontes369]

Is good info, buying from the best sounds good,but the best doesn’t want to Seles too aus😊

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Buy late breds from the race team if that is possible after the season. Late hatches from the best are the easiest way to get the top bloodlines.

[@kevinclegg9417]

I have been successful with the $5 birds and the free birds and my only 2 methods ove selection are eyesign and inbreeding to keep my line of birds they were not great birds at all but I taking many years of breeding have been very successful in racing all without buying winners or expensive birds there are other ways to being successful and other methods to reach your goals

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Hi Kevin, You can certainly get great pigeons from friends and find them in many ways. Selection and testing is very important.

[@jhecromasanta2841]

deserve more views 🥳🥳🥳

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

You are too nice!

[@barndawg]

Frank hello .I understand out cross is best always. But if you want maintain a family. Don't you got to inbreeding/ line breeding. Thank you Barney

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Most of the great breeders have a super bird that they breed to many and then they breed the children to others and it causes a long line of stars down from a common ancestor. The goal is to keep improving so if you cross in a great bird and the results are better this continues the line. If the results are not great you an eliminate that group. Us in the USA think of maintaining a family different than the Europeans. We think of a family of related birds and the Europeans think of a family that has their sir name. Like Gaby Vandenabeele would have pigeons down from Bliksem crossed onto other lines but all called Vandenabeele even if they had no relationship to his famous pigeons. As generations pass you do not need to inbreed to keep improving.

[@barndawg]

@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons thank you very much sir. I appreciate your info very much. Thank you Barney Johnston of D&B loft from Greenbay Wis

[@BrianJMader-sz7jw]

👍

[@hennessyloftnewyorkpigeonr9848]

I don’t understand people’s obsession with inbred birds,this is my second season my first season most flyers were recommending antibiotics and medication every week glad I never followed that recommendation thanks for all your help

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Most fanciers think they can apply 10th grade genetics and be the next superstar breeder. Breed from the best, cross them up and put as many unrelated stars in the pedigree as possible. Medication is not needed but takes a couple years to get there.

[@hennessyloftnewyorkpigeonr9848]

@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons do you sell any late bred youngsters I’d give my right arm to get some

[@moist5717]

While this guy's accent irritates me, and kind of turned me off from the video almost... He knows what the hell he's talking about. Excellent information contained here. If there was a master class on racing pigeons, this guy would like be on the faculty, teaching.

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Growing up outside Boston really leads to a strong accent. I should maybe have fancier from London do my voice over. Lol. Strange that I notice the accent in the videos when I watch them back. I have to work on that accent. Glad you enjoyed.

[@moist5717]

@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons Supa-Staww pigeons! No worries, I'm currently on your website checking out the stock that's available. I just watched your most recent video as well. I'm sure I'll watch more this evening after work! The information you give us so thorough and in depth, I'm learning already.

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

So happy you like my content. I have a million more in my head and will try to keep improving.

[@billastell3753]

Accent irritates you. Why in Gods name would you say that? I expect you've missed out on a lot through your life by being judgmental over small things.

[@stanleycarigtv4490]

👍👍

[@GuardianAngel..]

What! their is no real secret to Piet's Success in Pigeon Racing, Someone is definitely going to refund Me My money for that Very expensive Piet De Weerd book that I just bought.

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

That is funny!! Piet did have a secret. Buy most buoyant corky super feathered children off the top pigeons from the best lofts.

[@barryohara2099]

Byway also say buy champions not those ( nothing birds) bit enf day those champion if go back on line came from nothg birds at 1 point pmsl

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Champion birds occasionally come from lesser pigeons. The genetics can line up and a champion is born. Like hitting the genetic lottery. This happens but more likely champions come if there are generations of great birds in the family.

[@barryohara2099]

@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons yes defo but all sayin was that champion at 1 point came from a (nothing bird) and still stand chance of gettin bird placed high in race if breed from to perfect nothing birds and do little selection e breeding of what you need in bird and maybe hit low times in even if club races

[@barryohara2099]

Whats theory on .. like normally hens take colour from father so do think take characteristics from that parent as well like in talent I'm meaning ?? I don't fly racers I'm flyer of ( horseman theif pouters ) our sport is capture n trade little like what,, cuban guys do in miami .we actually hav documentary that was made about us in glasgowwith our sport its on here called simply (POUTERS ) ITS ANOTHER VERY INTRESTIN WAY FLYIN PIGEONS N IS INSTANT N REGULAR FUN N SUCCESS WHEN CATCHIN OTHER GUYS BIRDS AT (WEEKEND) WE ALSO HAVE CHAMPIONS SO SPEAK IN THIS SPORT ITS MORE DO WITH INTELLIGENCE OF CATCHIN OTHER BIRD N NEVER GETTIN CAUGHT THERE SELFS WHICH NORMALLY LEARNED BEHAVIOUR AFTER BEIN CAUGHT ONCE OR TWICE N GETTIN SCARED WHEN TRAP CONES UP N SLAMS SHUT BUT IM BELIEVER CAN BREED GOOD BIRDS IN THIS SPORT WITHOUR THEM HAVIN BE CAUGHT N YOU NEVER SEEING THEM AGAIN N MORE LESS BREEDIN NICE BIRD FOR SOMEONE ELSE GET BENEFIT OUT BIRD LOL

[@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons]

Thank you. I would like to see the documentary if you can send a link. Not sure about the colors with your birds. With us a red or silver hen on a blue or check cock will have sons that are reds and silvers and daughter that are blue and check.

[@mohammedbennani8782]

❤