Devo1956 wrote: Sat Oct 24, 2026 12:06 am
Always i have said, hot days of racing. Coconut water day before the race. The birds come home not looking for water like others, but this is inland racing.
I'll bet if you give your birds a choice of both Coconut water and plain water they'd choose the plain water. So forcing them to drink something they wouldn't choose may actually inadvertently result in them drinking less water the day before racing?
I guess the trick would be to put it in the drinkers and let them get accustomed to the taste rather than just sticking it in on race day and risk them not drinking properly after the race.
As I say I've not used it but reading about it it sounds like it would be worth a try.
If your preparation as been worked too, well routine kicks in on racing day. Light feed and then drink. All routine the way it should be. But others may differ.
Devo1956 wrote: Sat Oct 24, 2026 12:06 am
Always i have said, hot days of racing. Coconut water day before the race. The birds come home not looking for water like others, but this is inland racing.
I'll bet if you give your birds a choice of both Coconut water and plain water they'd choose the plain water. So forcing them to drink something they wouldn't choose may actually inadvertently result in them drinking less water the day before racing?
Well first of all, i ask the question. Have you used coconut water in your drink before basket day for racing?
No, I made a conscious decision never to put anything in the water on basketing day. Why because I wanted the birds to drink the water that day. Birds ONLY drink water that's in front of them they don't have a choice. Many birds actually drink less water in days that products are in them. One product that springs to mind is one that was for wet droppings. It was called PLG and it worked. Not because it was some great product that cured the wet droppings, but it simply made the birds reluctant to actually drink. And that cleverly stopped the wet droppings.
My question is have you offered yours the choice of coconut water or plain water on the day before racing?
I'll bet if you give your birds a choice of both Coconut water and plain water they'd choose the plain water. So forcing them to drink something they wouldn't choose may actually inadvertently result in them drinking less water the day before racing?
Well first of all, i ask the question. Have you used coconut water in your drink before basket day for racing?
No, I made a conscious decision never to put anything in the water on basketing day. Why because I wanted the birds to drink the water that day. Birds ONLY drink water that's in front of them they don't have a choice. Many birds actually drink less water in days that products are in them. One product that springs to mind is one that was for wet droppings. It was called PLG and it worked. Not because it was some great product that cured the wet droppings, but it simply made the birds reluctant to actually drink. And that cleverly stopped the wet droppings.
My question is have you offered yours the choice of coconut water or plain water on the day before racing?
Exactly King. A pigeon will always drink less when something is added to the water that is a fact. I've measured the amount of water intake with about 5 different products over the years and I can guarantee you they ALWAYS drink less when something is added to it. Again you are correct about the reason some products stop wet droppings its because the pigeon consumes less water. You'll also hear people say I give them this, or that, and the down feathers fall out of them, they will but its because the pigeon is dehydrated. A dehydrated pigeon will drop down same as a pigeon in top condition Clean water as much as possible and especially on basketing day.
I agree with that, but immediately make a liar of myself by putting garlic and apple cider vinegar in the water quite regularly. Only in a very dilute solution, and they actually like it.
Sometimes when I rinse out the drinkers and refill them with fresh water they take a drink then shake their heads like they don't like it at all!.
Murray wrote: Sat Oct 24, 2026 8:06 am
I agree with that, but immediately make a liar of myself by putting garlic and apple cider vinegar in the water quite regularly. Only in a very dilute solution, and they actually like it.
Sometimes when I rinse out the drinkers and refill them with fresh water they take a drink then shake their heads like they don't like it at all!.
I myself use Gempax, iodine, vits in the water every week.. But NEVER did on the day of basketing. During warm weather, if I ever have to refill the drinker that has a product in it, it will be cleaned and refilled with just plain water.
• Isotonic Hydration: Being naturally isotonic, it is gentle on a stressed digestive system and helps rehydrate birds faster than plain water alone after a hard flight.
• Natural Electrolytes: It is rich in essential minerals like potassium, magnesium, and sodium, which replenish what the birds lose through exertion and warm-weather racing.
But we all have different views in the sport, and that is the way it should be.
Clean water as much as possible and especially on basketing day.