Diet Plan Calculator

There are a few things that you need to understand with the program you have just purchased. The theory is based on NEW European thoughts –

At the University of Gent in Belgium it was discovered that the racing pigeon has two types of muscle cells – red muscle cells which make up approximately 85% of the pigeons total muscles and white muscle cells which make up approximately 15% of total muscles structure. By getting pigeons to fly in a wind tunnel and being able to measure the usage of muscles it was found that the white cells are used for the pigeon getting started – i.e. reaching a height and flying speed over the first approximately 30 to 60 minutes. It was also found that these white cells use predominately glucose reserves for fuelling the energy requirements. The red muscle cells are used for the balance of the race time and these cells are fuelled from fat reserves. It was also found that a pigeon flying requires 3,5 grams of fat per hour flying. Now this information is what makes me (and I am sure you) very excited. One needs to convert this information into practical usage. This cannot be done by the everyday fancier. It is here where the purchased program allows you the freedom of manipulating the feed according to the minutes expected on the wing.

Allow me to give you an easy to understand example:

Say you need to prepare your pigeon for a 500km race this next weekend and the expected velocity would be around 1300 mpm. That equates to 384 minutes (the first birds to arrive). Now deduct the 60 minutes your pigeon has utilized it’s carbohydrate reserves whilst flying on the white muscle cells, from this time – leaves you with 324 minutes which equals 5,4 hours. These hours are raced on the energy fuelled by the fat reserves of the red cell muscles and we have the theory that the pigeon uses 3,5 grams per hour so the pigeon needs 18,9 grams of fat to complete the race. The questions however arises – “not all birds arrive at the same time”? – one cannot accurately determine the exact race time (wind and weather conditions may change)? – you would be correct in asking these questions – that is why I have purposefully written the program to exclude the first 60 minutes (white cell fuelling) and rather erred on feeding the pigeon a little more fat than the expected requirements.

The program allows you to enter the amount of training you as manager does with the pigeons. The understanding is that minutes flown around the loft (circling) is judged at being at 75% exertion rate and minutes done by road training is calculated at 100% exertion rate. In my opinion, both methods should be used at various times of the week. If one or two training days are unable to be reached because of bad weather conditions you would be expected to reduce the training time accordingly (in the program) and obviously reduce the fat content of the feed. Similarly, you may not be able to train at all – the fat fed must then be reduced – the program allows all these variables.

It is important also to not feed your athletes too much fat. Let me give you an example: When a Formula 1 car is racing it is fuelled for the number of rounds to be done – the weight of any excess fuel which is not required will reduce the speed at which it completes the rounds – the same is for the pigeon – too much fat will slow the pigeon down and very quickly you will have an “out of form” bird. Many fanciers have found that the use of a ‘detoxification” using certain chemicals ensures the reduction of built up unnecessary fats – I prefer giving my pigeons a “fasting” day by giving them only barley to eat – this is always done the day after the return from the race. If you race on a Saturday then you would feed the barley on Sunday – they do not like it much but it ensures the break down of excess fats and stimulates the intestinal flora by softly “brushing” the intestinal wall therefore naturally cleansing the wall allowing whatever is fed afterwards more penetration into the digestive system. You will also notice in the program that by feeding only barley you keep the k/cal content at a high level but reduce the fat content level considerably.

This has always been a problem for most fanciers. The answer lies in what is fed – if you are a heavy feeder you need to reduce the k/cal and fat content of the feed and conversely – if you are a light feeder then you need to make sure your birds are fed the correct mixture with correct fat and k/cal contents. The program allows you to choose between 30 grams per day per pigeon and 35 grams and 40 grams. The basis used in Europe is to feed the pigeons lighter at the start of the week and more towards the end of the week. My personal preference is to feed the pigeons well when they return (by well I mean 35 to 40 grams per pigeon per day) – this I would divide into two feeds – so assuming your birds arrive on Saturday afternoon then they would receive between 17 and 20 grams of a high energy (high fat and high carbohydrate content) feed – the same feed as fed prior to the race – on their return (NO MORE).

I would like to challenge most fanciers – after you have purchased the program – enter the feed content you have been using, enter the race distance, enter your road training and loft training minutes and wait for the result. I will be bold enough to say that most fanciers will note that they are vastly over feeding their birds.

You will need an accurate scale. This is very important – a measuring cup of barley (or sunflower) weighs much less than the same measuring cup of maize. The program is calculated on grams fed so one needs to be able to measure accurately.

Behind the program lies much information gained from hours of work regarding the average nutrient content of each seed type. It is impossible to use the exact content of each seed type as each season may differ a little from the next – each source has its own characteristics – I have been unable to accommodate the exact values but have used an average only. Should you have the facilities and funds to test each grain type each year before mixing your feed – please feel free to contact me and I would gladly enter these values for you in the various fields within the program. You are denied access to these fields in the program.

FAT                                              4.3 to 7.8

PROTEINS                                 12 to 14.5

K/CAL  (per 35gram per day)    105 to 120

Feed a mixture with as many different seeds as possible.

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Keep to the following guide lines:

Short Distance Middle Distance

Fat 4.3 7.8

Protein 12 14.5

K/cal (per 35 grams per day) 105 120

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After the day of barley only – increase protein levels slightly and then reduce these levels again with 3 feeds before basketing – protein seeds require at least 48 hours after being fed to be metabolized by the pigeon – the increased protein cycle must be complete 3 feeds prior to basketing day. One can make use of animal proteins in this period with great success – animal proteins like whey proteins, cheese and sheep fat pellets, other protein powders from animal origin – these are metabolized within 20 minutes after digestion. The last three feeds must be increased carbohydrates and fats feeds. Exercise the pigeons well whilst feeding the protein cycle and reduce exercise with good rest prior to basketing.

When you basket your pigeons for an over night race (i.e. only one night in the basket) then the pigeons should have no feed in their crop at basketing  – last feed only the morning if basketing is that night.

When your pigeons are basketed for two nights in the basket – say Thursday basketing for Saturday liberation then the pigeons should have their normal feed (20gms each) in the afternoon of basketing day.

The 5 pillars of successful pigeon racing are not to be discarded:

Pigeon quality – genes factor – ruthless selection

Loft – housing must be good – emphasis on sufficient oxygen without draughts

Health – a sick pigeon cannot win a race (correct feeding systems often reduce the use of medication).

Training and racing effort

Feeding

It is important to give each of these pillars the correct attention – I however are of opinion that FEED remains the most telling of all the “pillars”  -  the cheque book cannot buy success – it helps knowing that the genes are correct but so often the saying goes “buy the fancier when buying the pigeons” – the pigeons are worthless without the fancier. Many loft designs are different and all have relative success – so I am afraid; the loft is not as important as the feed. Health – well this is important but by feeding the correct feed the pigeon has less stress when racing whilst tanked for the task ahead. Training and racing effort is directly linked to feed quality and quantity.

Consider the importance of “mastering the art of feeding” at a small initial purchase price but knowing that this important “pillar” is addressed in the correct feeding method. “A small price to pay for success”?

The next step to understanding this feed system is to make the purchase. The program is down loaded to your computer via email (within 48 hours of receiving funds) – you will receive a password which is unique to your program and cannot be copied.  “After sales service” is available via email only and in time FAQs will operate on the website. The purchase price of the complete program in an easy to use fashion is (simply enter the areas displayed in green):

Company Name: Tanielle Consulting

Email: izak@racing-pigeonfeed.com