UkPigeonRacing

I'm away in a couple weeks for 9 days. Got a mate (non fancier) coming to feed my birds but he don't want to let them out.
I have a target race coming up soon after I get back so just wondering what ppl would feed with them being shut up for over a week but still keep them in good nic for when I come back so they would still be ready to go.......

Diamond Dave wrote: Sat Aug 08, 2026 2:32 pm I'm away in a couple weeks for 9 days. Got a mate (non fancier) coming to feed my birds but he don't want to let them out.
I have a target race coming up soon after I get back so just wondering what ppl would feed with them being shut up for over a week but still keep them in good nic for when I come back so they would still be ready to go.......

Well the chances are he'll overfeed them Dave. So mix your normal mix 50/50 with barley. Tell him how much to give. Then tell him if there is any feed left over, only to give half the amount that day. If ALL the feed is gone, tell him to give a full feed.

Thanks King. He is only coming every 2 days so I have told him to just fill the hoppers so I am expecting them to be over fed mate. He won't let them out either so I was wondering about feeding a depurative, but I want them to be ready for 180 mile club race within 4 days of getting back then the target channel race of 260miles the following week.

If you were to follow the advice from Frank McLaughlin (YouTube), he would say to feed 100% Barley.

The idea being that they won't over feed, and also by not loft flying for the week they obviously won't burn off any weight either!

Might be a good opportunity to try it out and see if it hold any merit?

Thanks mate, bit worried about feeding just barley for 9 days would be very good for them.
I don't know who this Mchloughlen fella is but I would rather have the advice of the guys on here.

Hi Dave,
I'd not be very keen on that for a plan, I have to admit.
If they are race fit and you suddenly lock them up for 9 days, well 10 by the time you get back, hopper feed them on barley or a very light mix then fly them for a couple of days and put them in a race, you could be looking for a disappointment.
Suddenly stopping their exercise and changing their diet then suddenly changing back, you could end up with muscle tie up and things.
I'll be interested to see how it goes.

Yes Murray I know what you mean. They are race fit at mo. I am telling myself that a rest is equally as important as a race and it is just a prolonged rest.
I've also heard it said that keeping them in the loft for a short time helps to put a bit of condition on them and I dont want to lose that condition by giving them the wrong food.

There is a difference between a few days and 9 or 10 days, and suddenly switching the feed off and on.
I'll be honest, I wouldn't do it, but that's just me.