Hi Frank!! I'm from the Philippines and I don't usually watch pigeon vlogs to gain information...but I have to be frank, you really are something else!!! I'm very lucky to have come across your videos... hoping to meet you sometime soon
The drafty comments from the past never made sense to me either, with rock doves and street pigeons being my case in point. Keep up the great content Frank!
Hi Frank. I am happy I discovered your channel. Great quality content. You have many topics I always wanted to discuss or thought about but fanciers tend to ignore or just take them as facts without questioning them. I'll spend some time watching your older videos. Regarding drafts. I had pigeon lung, I had to give up pigeons but came back in the hobby and thought about ways to minimise loft dust. I built a very open loft, probably the most open loft there is in a climate that is often cold or with high humidity. Wire mesh floors, wire mesh front, part wire mesh doors on the back (I close those at night). It didn't really work, there is still a lot of dust but I think I healed the "pigeon lung" somehow. In winter when it is cold and there is also a powerful wind, the down and feathers fly around in the loft. The pigeons look fine and there are no respiratory problems signs. The only problems I have are in summer, in the young birds section. I tend to overcrowd breeding too many and by the beginning of summer, many of them start to get dirty noses. I thought there is an age when they are affected more by drafts but in the end, now I think the ammonia or other products from droppings and breath affect their airways (because in warm days the loft smells if I keep the back of the loft closed and don't clean all the droppings daily). I never see dirty noses in mature birds and even the youngsters never get them in winter. I am still confused because the ones that do get the dirty noses heal by themselves in a week or two and then they never get dirty noses again, in the same loft environment. Others start to get dirty noses and so on (sounds a bit like a virus?). It cycles through most of them. What do you think?
I feel you should keep the loft open as possible to keep the dust down as much as possible. I also suggest wearing a respirator mask at all times when you are with the pigeons. I started this five years ago and wish I started the mask long ago. The mask filters particles and gases. You cannot smell smoke through the mask. The dirty noses that clear on their own is a very good thing. It could be a virus being passed around and herpes virus does show in a respiratory complex when not too extreme. Keep making changes and keep clean and airy and wear your mask for your own health.
@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons Thank you. I use a respirator with a cap, filters and a motor that blows fresh air when cleaning the loft or catching the pigeons for the club. The majority of time I watch the pigeons from outside the loft, and also feed them from outside through little doors on the front of the loft. I can also release them to fly without entering the loft. The dust problem is indeed very important but most fanciers tend to ignore it. Dirty noses: sounds good, I also suspected herpes at times, but after they clear the dirty noses, when we start club training with the young birds in autumn, they get the one eye colds, with an inflamed eye partially closed and sometimes with a sticky substance in it (that also sounds like herpes according to some). Hundreds of birds get it at the club, sometimes it is so fast that you basket the birds fine and after they are in the race car, one of their eyes already starts to close. We always had a debate about what that is. These are easy diseases and the majority of birds heal on their own in a few days but they are still frustrating.
Hi, does the same rule applies for other breeds of pigeons like Spanish Pouters ? I’m in Montreal Canada where the temperature reaches -20 celcius few days in January and February
Hello, I am not positive about the Spanish Pouters. I have no experience with that breed but feel they should do well with great ventilation in the loft.
@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons yes you helped a lot I really appreciate it I just bought an unfinished loft I’ll send you pics on Facebook for your opinion on windows or vents
I love this! I live in Maine and have homers. I keep my loft nice a dry but try to have it “opened up” almost all the time unless we get a storm. I’m positive they have drafts, but b/c I keep things pretty tidy and they always have fresh water (daily) my birds are In outstanding condition!
Hi Frank, I would like to thank you for sharing your knowledge. Especially your website. I started reading your articles in 2018 and learned a lot from it. 2020 I purchased 2 import pigeons and I’m very pleased with your importation service. I won e1st drop 325 miles OLR @ Royal Cup 2021 and it was my first time too with just 1 bird. Sibling also won in tough race @ Fast Eddie with just 15 day birds the same year. This year, another children won pool 🏊♀️ @ Sd holiday just 8 mins behind first drop. Call it luck but you helped me how to select a good breeder and also how to keep them fit and healthy. Thank you again. - Fritzie’s Hutch
Hello Fritzie, I am so happy for you. You are doing everything right to get the most out of great pigeons. Congratulations on your success because you are applying sound management. Great job and keep it up. Your Pigeon Friend, Frank
Hi frank your vedios are very good. Love all the talk on everything being discussed. Also I've been inactive with pigeons for about 21 years but subscribed and read everything I found interesting. Do you still have the embrect pigeons crossed with the delbar's? I will look you up for some when returning in 2024, Eric.
Here in Belgium only 1/3 of the pigeons have price ,you can't believe how fast they're dropping with good weather .But one thing you will never see is a loft where there's draft .
@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons That's true that's why i think people should keep less pigeons on a loft .Regarding to ventilation one of the best racers ever in Belgium said ;They're pigeons ,not olifants .That was because he had a ventilation of only 20cm in the roof.
Hi Frank great videos please keep them coming! When you get a chance can you talk about inbreeding and line breeding and when should it be done and when should it not be done? Also I would like to know where you picked up that term on the shelf LoL wink wink!
I do not think a dehumidifier would work in a pigeon loft. Too open and it could not make a difference. AC with also be difficult because the loft is open. A good fan blowing out high in the eves will help move the hot air and move out because the hot air settles high
Hi Mr. McLaughlin Happy New Year. I have a Janssen bloodline. What is the best bloodline to cross breed with my Janssen. I’m going to inter for OLR. Thank you
Janssen pigeons are the cross used in most middle distance families. You may find that many of the pigeons today that race 100 to 300 miles go back to the Janssen pigeons. I would cross with a good middle distance family. Use pigeons that are not too big for the cross. Medium to small type is best for One Loft Races. Breed opposite eye colors together. Janssens have many pearl eyes and they can get washed out if you breed peart to pearl for generations. Best of luck!
@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons Thank you Mr. McLaughlin appreciate it. If you don’t mind can you make video regarding bloodline what is the best cross breed with them. Again, I appreciate ALL your videos. Thank you
@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons Thank you Mr. McLaughlin appreciate it. If you don’t mind can you make video regarding bloodline what is the best cross breed with them. Again, I appreciate ALL your videos. Thank you
Such good common sense!! My breeding loft is an aviary it does have a polycarbonate roof and a solid back, other than that completely open and the birds stay in super health all year round, and we get plenty of damp days in the UK😂
I had a open air loft of showbirds for over 10 years and never had any diseases or colds other than maybe a sniffle or 2 once in a while. The birds seemed to do just fine. Then again that that loft was 12 by 20 and I kept maybe 30 birds max in there so they had plenty of room to fly around and definitely no overcrowding..
Can't wait to roast those ole timers, lmao, those ole timers who are paranoid about their birds mixing with other people's birds and think they caught something when racing in a club. Or those ole timers who are stubborn to learn and do their old ways that never improve and never seem to get past over that also, lmao. I like this video of what your talking about. Teach'em!
Much of the knowledge passed down is not rooted in any fact. The fanciers just repeat what they heard. I always asked "Why"? If they did not have an explanation I did not take the advice seriously.
Im from south Africa cape town im a first year fancier... My stock loft is open and alot of guys told me my loft is to open but i never had a sick pigeon so i dont know who to listen to
Keep doing what you are doing. The pigeons living in Joburg under the bridge look just great and with your climate, wide open is best. Keep doing what your doing.
Really enjoy your video's. I know you use a deep litter system with wood pellets. Any other deep litter systems you feel would work well? I've used wood pellets, I've used partially ground corn cob. Both did not work for me because the birds wanted to eat the litter. I use a granular litter from Natural and really like it but I can't get it locally and it is very expensive to ship.
I feel with most litter the pigeons may eat it at first. Usually they stop eating the litter fairly quickly. I have mixed the granular litter from Natural with the wood pellets or spread on the floor by itself. It is costly and hard to find. I am not a big fan of wood shavings because when you add moister and droppings they sour quickly. I have seen lofts in Belgium with maybe four inches of straw on the floor. The dust and droppings dropped into the straw. I have never tried this. I have used clean sand by the bag bought at Home Depot. It is used for sand boxes for kids. This makes a nice litter but all become dusty over time.
Firstly I want to say thank you. Bc like the other comments I too scratched my head over the ventilation/Draft contradiction. But what I like about the pigeon sport is there are so many variables and so many ways to win, no one truly knows anything for certain. And to play devils advocate with your points.. I'm not sure I would want to compare what street pigeons do to what racing pigeons do. I've worked in NYC & street pigeons will pick thru the trash and eat anything. I don't think they always do what is best for themselves. For example I was feeding my birds tomato stalks bc a fellow fancier who was quite successful did the same & plus they went crazy for them... then someone told me its poisonous to them. But anyways... I interpreted the conundrum of ventilation v Drafts by thinking more about circulation of air and less direct winds, achieved with openings towards the bottom of the loft to allow air in but some type of door or wall in front to prevent air blowing straight in. Also the ability to close the door when it gets too windy or a storm comes in. A lot of guys including myself have the diffusers you put in your house for HVAC. you can open and close and the wind doesn't blow directly into the loft.. Also same with the aviaries there should be some type vestibule to block direct wind and let air circulate but not cause draft. But I think you definitely hit the nail on the head. More ventilation is better then too little. But I think that's probably bc the ammonia in the air is more detrimental to the bird then just a breeze that might cause a cold. Like humans working in the cold doesn't cause sickness, you are right... but it does decrease your immune system increasing your chances of getting sick. So would I rather risk a little cold then inhaling ammonia all day. Btw I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts and insights, its hard to express your opinion in the sport bc everyone thinks they know better or have secrets they don't want to share. Meanwhile I just want to talk about birds with fellow fliers and reach a common understanding.
Pigeons no different to me. In winter I always have two windows half open either side of the bedroom which creates a slight draft with fresh cool air. Very refreshing and healthy
Hi Frank!! I'm from the Philippines and I don't usually watch pigeon vlogs to gain information...but I have to be frank, you really are something else!!! I'm very lucky to have come across your videos... hoping to meet you sometime soon
You are too nice. You make me want to do many more videos. Thank you!
Excuse the pun, "but I have to be Frank".
As far as pigeon knowledge goes we all would like to be Frank
The drafty comments from the past never made sense to me either, with rock doves and street pigeons being my case in point. Keep up the great content Frank!
Thank you for watching. Much of this sport is common sense. Sad we do not see enough common sense.
Good evening, can u please mail me your feeding program
Hi Frank. I am happy I discovered your channel. Great quality content. You have many topics I always wanted to discuss or thought about but fanciers tend to ignore or just take them as facts without questioning them. I'll spend some time watching your older videos. Regarding drafts. I had pigeon lung, I had to give up pigeons but came back in the hobby and thought about ways to minimise loft dust. I built a very open loft, probably the most open loft there is in a climate that is often cold or with high humidity. Wire mesh floors, wire mesh front, part wire mesh doors on the back (I close those at night). It didn't really work, there is still a lot of dust but I think I healed the "pigeon lung" somehow. In winter when it is cold and there is also a powerful wind, the down and feathers fly around in the loft. The pigeons look fine and there are no respiratory problems signs. The only problems I have are in summer, in the young birds section. I tend to overcrowd breeding too many and by the beginning of summer, many of them start to get dirty noses. I thought there is an age when they are affected more by drafts but in the end, now I think the ammonia or other products from droppings and breath affect their airways (because in warm days the loft smells if I keep the back of the loft closed and don't clean all the droppings daily). I never see dirty noses in mature birds and even the youngsters never get them in winter. I am still confused because the ones that do get the dirty noses heal by themselves in a week or two and then they never get dirty noses again, in the same loft environment. Others start to get dirty noses and so on (sounds a bit like a virus?). It cycles through most of them. What do you think?
I feel you should keep the loft open as possible to keep the dust down as much as possible. I also suggest wearing a respirator mask at all times when you are with the pigeons. I started this five years ago and wish I started the mask long ago. The mask filters particles and gases. You cannot smell smoke through the mask. The dirty noses that clear on their own is a very good thing. It could be a virus being passed around and herpes virus does show in a respiratory complex when not too extreme. Keep making changes and keep clean and airy and wear your mask for your own health.
@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons Thank you. I use a respirator with a cap, filters and a motor that blows fresh air when cleaning the loft or catching the pigeons for the club. The majority of time I watch the pigeons from outside the loft, and also feed them from outside through little doors on the front of the loft. I can also release them to fly without entering the loft. The dust problem is indeed very important but most fanciers tend to ignore it. Dirty noses: sounds good, I also suspected herpes at times, but after they clear the dirty noses, when we start club training with the young birds in autumn, they get the one eye colds, with an inflamed eye partially closed and sometimes with a sticky substance in it (that also sounds like herpes according to some). Hundreds of birds get it at the club, sometimes it is so fast that you basket the birds fine and after they are in the race car, one of their eyes already starts to close. We always had a debate about what that is. These are easy diseases and the majority of birds heal on their own in a few days but they are still frustrating.
I usually like to see if they will heal on their own if they are young.
Hi, does the same rule applies for other breeds of pigeons like Spanish Pouters ? I’m in Montreal Canada where the temperature reaches -20 celcius few days in January and February
Hello, I am not positive about the Spanish Pouters. I have no experience with that breed but feel they should do well with great ventilation in the loft.
Thank you for your knowledge!!! And congratulations on the 1,000 SUBSCRIBERS!!!!! 🎊🍾🙌🏼
You are a big reason I am doing this. Thank you for your advice and friendship. I am not having so much fun with TH-cam.
Great info I was always confused by people telling me to add more ventilation but make sure there isn’t any drafts
Hope I helped. The old timers were saying the same thing when I was a kid. Makes little sense.
@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons yes you helped a lot I really appreciate it I just bought an unfinished loft I’ll send you pics on Facebook for your opinion on windows or vents
Keep preaching the common sense approach to racing pigeons. Enjoying all the videos. Look forward to the form video.
Thank you. I am having fun with this. Getting more comfortable in front of the camera.
I love this! I live in Maine and have homers. I keep my loft nice a dry but try to have it “opened up” almost all the time unless we get a storm. I’m positive they have drafts, but b/c I keep things pretty tidy and they always have fresh water (daily) my birds are In outstanding condition!
You are doing everything correct!
Thank you so much Frank.
Happy new year.
Thank you for watching. Hope 2023 is your best year ever.
Hi Frank, I would like to thank you for sharing your knowledge. Especially your website. I started reading your articles in 2018 and learned a lot from it. 2020 I purchased 2 import pigeons and I’m very pleased with your importation service. I won e1st drop 325 miles OLR @ Royal Cup 2021 and it was my first time too with just 1 bird. Sibling also won in tough race @ Fast Eddie with just 15 day birds the same year. This year, another children won pool 🏊♀️ @ Sd holiday just 8 mins behind first drop. Call it luck but you helped me how to select a good breeder and also how to keep them fit and healthy. Thank you again. - Fritzie’s Hutch
Hello Fritzie, I am so happy for you. You are doing everything right to get the most out of great pigeons. Congratulations on your success because you are applying sound management. Great job and keep it up. Your Pigeon Friend, Frank
Hi frank your vedios are very good. Love all the talk on everything being discussed. Also I've been inactive with pigeons for about 21 years but subscribed and read everything I found interesting. Do you still have the embrect pigeons crossed with the delbar's? I will look you up for some when returning in 2024, Eric.
Hi Eric, The Imbrecht pigeons are blended in and still winning. Nothing I can really call Imbrecht anymore. Mostly mixed with my Fabry birds.
Here in Belgium only 1/3 of the pigeons have price ,you can't believe how fast they're dropping with good weather .But one thing you will never see is a loft where there's draft .
Please explain? Belgium lofts are really nice but usually not too many pigeons are kept in the building.
@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons That's true that's why i think people should keep less pigeons on a loft .Regarding to ventilation one of the best racers ever in Belgium said ;They're pigeons ,not olifants .That was because he had a ventilation of only 20cm in the roof.
Hi Frank great videos please keep them coming! When you get a chance can you talk about inbreeding and line breeding and when should it be done and when should it not be done? Also I would like to know where you picked up that term on the shelf LoL wink wink!
I will explain my thoughts on inbreeding in linebreeding in depth in one of my videos. On the shelf. I have to think about that.
Great information,short, simple an to the point 👍🏻
Happy you liked it. I have many more to come. I just turn on the camera and go. One take and I am not sure where I will end up.
Given how hot and humid it gets in NE would you put a dehumidifier/air conditioner in the loft?
I do not think a dehumidifier would work in a pigeon loft. Too open and it could not make a difference. AC with also be difficult because the loft is open. A good fan blowing out high in the eves will help move the hot air and move out because the hot air settles high
Well said you couldn't have explained it better I'm from Trinidad and the same setup works hear
Thank you! I appreciate this. Makes me want to keep going with the videos. I am starting to get more comfortable doing them.
Hi Mr. McLaughlin Happy New Year. I have a Janssen bloodline. What is the best bloodline to cross breed with my Janssen. I’m going to inter for OLR. Thank you
Janssen pigeons are the cross used in most middle distance families. You may find that many of the pigeons today that race 100 to 300 miles go back to the Janssen pigeons. I would cross with a good middle distance family. Use pigeons that are not too big for the cross. Medium to small type is best for One Loft Races. Breed opposite eye colors together. Janssens have many pearl eyes and they can get washed out if you breed peart to pearl for generations. Best of luck!
@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons Thank you Mr. McLaughlin appreciate it. If you don’t mind can you make video regarding bloodline what is the best cross breed with them. Again, I appreciate ALL your videos. Thank you
@@FrankMcLaughlinPigeons Thank you Mr. McLaughlin appreciate it. If you don’t mind can you make video regarding bloodline what is the best cross breed with them. Again, I appreciate ALL your videos. Thank you
I will give this some thought
Such good common sense!! My breeding loft is an aviary it does have a polycarbonate roof and a solid back, other than that completely open and the birds stay in super health all year round, and we get plenty of damp days in the UK😂
Keep doing what you are doing.
I had a open air loft of showbirds for over 10 years and never had any diseases or colds other than maybe a sniffle or 2 once in a while. The birds seemed to do just fine.
Then again that that loft was 12 by 20 and I kept maybe 30 birds max in there so they had plenty of room to fly around and definitely no overcrowding..
That is great!
great advise frank
Happy you liked it!
Thx for sharing
Happy you liked it.
Could you please go through a typical week road training during your race season ?? How many miles on what days ?
I will do a video in my thoughts on training and what is really needed. Great idea.
Thanks for the info 🙂
Hi Bruce, Happy you liked it! Your Pigeon Friend, Frank
Can't wait to roast those ole timers, lmao, those ole timers who are paranoid about their birds mixing with other people's birds and think they caught something when racing in a club. Or those ole timers who are stubborn to learn and do their old ways that never improve and never seem to get past over that also, lmao. I like this video of what your talking about. Teach'em!
Much of the knowledge passed down is not rooted in any fact. The fanciers just repeat what they heard. I always asked "Why"? If they did not have an explanation I did not take the advice seriously.
Im from south Africa cape town im a first year fancier... My stock loft is open and alot of guys told me my loft is to open but i never had a sick pigeon so i dont know who to listen to
Keep doing what you are doing. The pigeons living in Joburg under the bridge look just great and with your climate, wide open is best. Keep doing what your doing.
Really enjoy your video's. I know you use a deep litter system with wood pellets. Any other deep litter systems you feel would work well? I've used wood pellets, I've used partially ground corn cob. Both did not work for me because the birds wanted to eat the litter. I use a granular litter from Natural and really like it but I can't get it locally and it is very expensive to ship.
I feel with most litter the pigeons may eat it at first. Usually they stop eating the litter fairly quickly. I have mixed the granular litter from Natural with the wood pellets or spread on the floor by itself. It is costly and hard to find. I am not a big fan of wood shavings because when you add moister and droppings they sour quickly. I have seen lofts in Belgium with maybe four inches of straw on the floor. The dust and droppings dropped into the straw. I have never tried this. I have used clean sand by the bag bought at Home Depot. It is used for sand boxes for kids. This makes a nice litter but all become dusty over time.
Thanks for ur video
Happy you liked it. I just turn on the camera and go. lol
Firstly I want to say thank you. Bc like the other comments I too scratched my head over the ventilation/Draft contradiction. But what I like about the pigeon sport is there are so many variables and so many ways to win, no one truly knows anything for certain. And to play devils advocate with your points.. I'm not sure I would want to compare what street pigeons do to what racing pigeons do. I've worked in NYC & street pigeons will pick thru the trash and eat anything. I don't think they always do what is best for themselves. For example I was feeding my birds tomato stalks bc a fellow fancier who was quite successful did the same & plus they went crazy for them... then someone told me its poisonous to them. But anyways... I interpreted the conundrum of ventilation v Drafts by thinking more about circulation of air and less direct winds, achieved with openings towards the bottom of the loft to allow air in but some type of door or wall in front to prevent air blowing straight in. Also the ability to close the door when it gets too windy or a storm comes in. A lot of guys including myself have the diffusers you put in your house for HVAC. you can open and close and the wind doesn't blow directly into the loft.. Also same with the aviaries there should be some type vestibule to block direct wind and let air circulate but not cause draft. But I think you definitely hit the nail on the head. More ventilation is better then too little. But I think that's probably bc the ammonia in the air is more detrimental to the bird then just a breeze that might cause a cold. Like humans working in the cold doesn't cause sickness, you are right... but it does decrease your immune system increasing your chances of getting sick. So would I rather risk a little cold then inhaling ammonia all day. Btw I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts and insights, its hard to express your opinion in the sport bc everyone thinks they know better or have secrets they don't want to share. Meanwhile I just want to talk about birds with fellow fliers and reach a common understanding.
Great insight. Loved your comment. All valid points and we are on the same page.
So true ❤
Another great video Frank. Brent and I are so grateful for everything.
I got to see the pigeons over the holidays abd thx for the gift!
So happy you enjoyed and hope the pigeons breed champions!
You are exactly correct
Thank you. I will keep trying and posting more.
Some of those pigeons in the wild fly through rain or sit in rain winds you name it
So true and they stay very healthy.
Agreed!
Hi Tung, Happy you liked it!
Pigeons no different to me.
In winter I always have two windows half open either side of the bedroom which
creates a slight draft with fresh cool air. Very refreshing and healthy
Good point.
Fresh air is free why not use it I'm in Dublin Ireland have a open loft an very rarely get sickness
You are so correct!