The racing season is over. The tension of the competitions has faded, the baskets are cleaned and stacked away, and most fanciers think: “Time to relax a little.”
But make no mistake: this is when the real work begins. While you enjoy a well-deserved break, your pigeons are facing their toughest challenge of the year – the molt.
Why the molt is the foundation of success
The molt is not a side issue. It is the foundation upon which next season is built. Your pigeons are replacing thousands of feathers – from tiny pieces of down to the mighty flight feathers that carry them across hundreds of kilometers. Every new feather is an investment in speed, endurance, and aerodynamics.
A poor molt is easy to spot: dull, brittle feathers and pigeons that start the next season already at a disadvantage. A flawless molt, however? That gives you pigeons that shine in the sun, sleek in their feathering, and ready to slice through the skies like Ferraris.
As an old fancier once told me: “A good molt is worth more than ten early prizes.” And you know what? He was absolutely right.
The molt = top-class sport
Imagine replacing your entire wardrobe – not in a store, but inside your own body. Every thread rewoven, every seam resewn. That’s exactly what the molt feels like for a pigeon. The body is working at full capacity, the energy demand is enormous, and every mistake shows up in the feathers.
This is not the time to lean back. This is the time to support your pigeons with the right care, environment, and nutrition.
The Boss’s Practical Checklist for the Molt
Rest – No stress, no noise, no unnecessary handling.
Health – A pigeon with health issues will never molt properly.
Light & Air – A loft should help nature, not fight it.
Nutrition & Minerals – Without the right building blocks, there is no result.
Baths & Feather Care – Call it wellness if you want, but it’s an absolute necessity.
The Boss Message
The molt is not a holiday. It is the workshop of champions. This is where the victories of next season are forged.
Remember this well: fanciers who neglect the molt, lose the race before it has even started.
This was Tip 1 of the 6-part Boss Series on the Molt. Next week: Tip 2 – Rest = Gold.
See you next week,
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss