Credit: Roland Paret
Source Credit: The Pigeon Insider
Dear Fanciers,
The darkening system is one of the modern methods used by many racing pigeon fanciers to manage young birds, especially for young bird racing. The main purpose of this system is to control the moult, improve feather condition, and keep young birds in better racing shape during the season.
In simple words, darkening means reducing the daylight inside the young bird loft for a fixed number of hours each day.
1. What Is the Darkening System?
The darkening system is a method where young birds are kept under controlled daylight. The loft is darkened using curtains, wood, plywood, tin sheets, or any suitable covering that blocks light from entering the loft.
The room should be dark like a moonless night. Small light leaks should be avoided as much as possible.
This system helps young birds complete their body moult while holding their primary flights better for the racing season.
2. How Dark Should the Loft Be?
The loft should be as dark as possible.
A good rule is:
Dark like a night without moonlight.
Avoid light entering through small holes, cracks, windows, or ventilation gaps. Even small light leaks can reduce the effect of the system.
3. Ventilation Is Very Important
While darkening the loft, ventilation must not be blocked.
A dark loft without ventilation can become dangerous. It may create heat, dampness, poor air quality, respiratory problems, and stress.
Ventilation should allow fresh air to move without allowing daylight to enter.
In warm climates, power vents or covered ventilation systems may be useful.
4. How Many Hours of Daylight?
Young birds on the darkening system are usually given around:
8 hours of daylight per day
Example timings:
- 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
5. When to Start the Darkening System?
Many fanciers start the darkening system when young birds are around:
35 days old
Some start at 28 days, while others may start around 50 days. However, if started too late, some birds may begin dropping primary flights before the system starts.
Once they are placed under the darkening system, the body moult begins while primary flight dropping is controlled better.
6. Body Moult During Darkening
After about two weeks of starting the darkening system, you may notice body feathers in the loft.
This is normal.
The young birds will go through body moult, which may take around:
9 to 10 weeks
During this period, the birds should not be stressed too much. Good feeding, rest, minerals, and loft hygiene are very important.
7. How Long Should Birds Stay in the Dark?
A common period is around:
12 weeks
Some fanciers may continue longer depending on their race schedule, feather condition, and local system.
The system should be planned according to the young bird race program.
8. Feeding During the Darkening System
Feeding time can be adjusted according to the fancier’s daily routine.
A practical method:
- Feed lightly before morning exercise
- Feed again about one hour before darkening the loft
- Provide clean water
- Keep grit and minerals available
- Use good quality grains
9. Exercise During the Darkening System
Young birds still need proper exercise. They should be allowed to fly and build fitness.
However, do not push them too hard. Remember that darkened young birds may look like old birds because of their feather condition, but mentally they are still young birds.
They may panic easily during training if rushed.
10. Training Caution After Darkening
Extreme care is needed when training young birds coming out of the darkening system or still under the system.
These birds may have strong feathers, but they may lack confidence and road experience.
Training must be slow and careful.
Important advice:
- Start with short tosses
- Train mainly in the morning
- Do not push them up the road too fast
- Watch their confidence
- Repeat short distances if needed
- Avoid bad weather
- Avoid heavy heat
11. Morning Training Is Safer
Many fanciers find fewer losses when training darkened young birds in the morning.
Morning training is often safer because:
- Temperature is lower
- Birds are fresher
- Visibility is better
- Wind may be calmer
- Birds have more daylight to return
12. Increasing Light Before Race Season
As the season progresses and daylight becomes shorter, some fanciers increase the daylight hours inside the loft using electric lights on a timer.
A common target is around:
14 hours of daylight
This can help delay body moult and keep birds in better racing condition.
Later, when the lights are switched off, the birds may begin their complete body moult within several days.
13. After the Race Season
After the race season, when young birds begin their moult, they need very good care.
During moult:
- Feed high-quality grains
- Feed twice a day if needed
- Provide minerals and grit
- Give plenty of rest
- Limit hard exercise
- Keep loft calm and dry
14. Important Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these mistakes:
- Blocking ventilation while darkening
- Allowing light leaks inside the loft
- Starting road training too far
- Training in bad weather
- Overcrowding the young bird loft
- Poor feeding during moult
- Moving birds too quickly to another loft during moult
- Expecting young birds to behave like old birds
The darkening system can be very useful for young bird racing when used correctly. It helps control feather condition and can keep young birds in better shape for the race season.
But the system must be managed carefully. Darkness without ventilation, overtraining, overcrowding, or rushing young birds can cause serious losses.
The best result comes from balance:
Correct darkness + good ventilation + proper feeding + slow training + low stress = better young bird racing condition.
Credit: Roland Paret
Source Credit: The Pigeon Insider
Regards,
KPRF Committee
Keelakarai Pigeon Racing Federation