Breeding Season

When I decided to write this work-a rather specific topic-, my first thought was to schedule writing and printing so that the book could be published before the start of the breeding season, to provide fanciers the most up-to-date information during their preparation for pairing. Before long, however, I realised that such timing was not necessary. The simple reason is that successfully raising a new generation does not start with pairing-but much, much earlier. The quality of this year's young was largely decided as early as their grandparents' and great-grandparents' pairing and their parents being raised. There is no season, month, or day of the year when you can neglect the interests of following generations. Anything you do to the future parents, or even grandparents, will have a considerable effect on later generations-in terms of both number and quality. Consequently, the preparation for the breeding season never ends. It never starts in the first place. It is a continuous process. Of course, the breeding season is limited to a much narrower time window. However, you must never forget that whatever you do outside that window will have its effect on pairings for years to come, and beyond. So it does not matter in which month the book is published, or when fanciers get their hands on it. Whatever the time of year, you can find relevant information, details and tips to apply-if you have not done so before. Ever since my previous books on pigeons were published (two in Hungarian and two in English), I have had the privilege of contact with the most renowned pigeon specialist veterinarians, from the world's leading pigeon-breeding countries. It is an advantage I seek to leverage in this present work-as a great deal of international experience can easily and practically be adapted to Hungarian circumstances. A part of the "Pigeon Doctor" series, this work focuses primarily on the health aspects and problems of breeding season, pairing, and egg laying. Other relevant topics of the fancier's work-like increasing the speed of racing pigeons or achieving the rarest colours in fancy pigeons-are outside of our scope and will be touched upon exclusively in relation to health. If that disappoints some of my readers, I say for reassurance that working towards a healthy flock is an essential part of success in raising pigeons of greater performance. In other words, long-term success can only be achieved with a healthy flock (including their genetic material). In this book, I would like to reveal my reasons for this statement. Some chapters focus on theory; others are dedicated to practical information. For lack of time, many may choose to read only the practical parts, omitting or just leafing through the theory. I urge them not to do so. While the details, tips and everyday tasks described in the practical chapters can indeed be of individual use, they apply only to an entirely healthy, perfect theoretical loft. Which we know does not exist. Not even the best practical tips can alone be more than empty patterns. As soon as an unusual or unexpected event (like disease) occurs, or the loft somehow happens to be different from the standard, all patterns turn out useless and must be changed. And practice can be modified successfully only if you have the necessary theoretical knowledge at hand. As in my previous books, here I have tried to use the clearest wording possible, avoiding unnecessary foreign terminology and academic style. I hope I have succeeded.