The Homing Pigeon

Section I. General

Purpose 1 1 Methods 2 1 Origin and history 3 1 Nature 4 1 Utility 5 2

II. DESCRIPTION

General appearance 6 3 Weight 7 3 Plumage 8 3 Head 9 3 Neck 10 3 Body 11 3 Respiratory channels 12 5 Digestive organs 13 6 Bloom or milt 14 6 Molt 15 8 Varieties of feathers 16 9

III. CARE

Loft 17 11 Preparation of loft to receive pigeons 18 11 Receipt of pigeons at loft 19 11 Watering 20 14 Feeding 21 15 Pigeon feed 22 16 Bathing 23 25 Catching and handling 24 25

IV. LOFT MANAGEMENT AND RECORDS

Routine 25 28 Classification of pigeon colors 26 28 Records and reports 27 29 Banding 28 37 Loft equipment 29 39 Message holders 30 42

V. TRAINING

Responsibility for training 31 45 Qualifications for pigeoneers 32 45 Introduction to pigeon training 33 46 Settling pigeons 34 46 Training for messenger service 35 50 Delivering pigeons by parachute 36 58

VI. MATING AND BREEDING

Mating 37 62 Sex 38 62 Selection of stock 39 62 Line breeding 40 64 Nests 41 64 Control of breeding 42 64 Laying 43 65 Hatching and feeding 44 65 Identification 45 65 Culling 46 65

VII. DISEASES AND MEDICINES

General 47 67 Prevention of disease 48 67 Control of disease 49 67 Anatomy and physiology 50 68 Indications of sickness 51 69 Diseases 52 69 External parasites 53 73 Internal parasites 54 77 Treatment of injuries 55 81 Medicines 56 82

This manual supersedes TM 11-140, 10 September 1940

SECTION I. General

GENERAL

1. Purpose

This manual provides instructions for proper breeding, care, and training of the homing pigeon, and for the selection and training of enlisted pigeoneers. With certain modifications this information can be used by all pigeon units serving field forces, both in theaters of operations and in the zone of the interior. Instructions in FM 24-5 for units using the homing pigeon in communication have not been repeated. The mission, function, and operation of a signal pigeon company and the tactical employment of pigeons are described in FM 11-80.

2. Methods

The methods prescribed in this manual are based upon experience. Accordingly, if any new procedures are found by experience to improve pigeon communication they should be submitted to the Chief Signal Officer for consideration.

3. Origin and History

The homing pigeon used by the Army for signal communication (referred to in this manual as “pigeon,” “homing pigeon,” and “bird”) is a distinct variety created through careful cross-breeding to obtain maximum distance and speed in controlled and directed flight. Homing pigeons are grouped in families or strains usually identified by the names of the civilian pigeon fanciers who bred them for many generations to develop certain characteristics of performance and appearance. When the several varieties of pigeons used to breed the modern homing pigeon actually originated is not certain. It is known, however, that the following varieties existed in England and Belgium before the nineteenth century, although the exact percentage and order of their blend have not been determined: Smerle, Horseman, Cumulet, Dragoon, Carrier, and Owl.

4. Nature

The principle of using homing pigeons as messengers is based on their instinctive attempt to return to their home lofts whenever they are removed some distance and released. They will do this even with an attached message or other light article. This desire to return is largely based on natural urges of hunger and reproduction. Because the pigeon has only one mate the reproductive urge is often the stronger. These impulses can be stimulated by controlled feeding, mating, and breeding without harming the pigeon’s health.

5. Utility

The pigeon’s usefulness to the Army is measured by the reliability and speed with which it returns to its loft. Speed and reliability are largely determined by the pigeon’s strain, physical condition, training, and treatment. Therefore any lowering of standards for these factors will be a serious handicap. Further handicaps are discussed in e below. Section V sets minimum ability standards for properly-trained, well-bred, healthy birds to be used by combat units as message carriers.

a. BREEDING. Since physical characteristics and homing instinct are usually inherited from the parents, records are maintained for each pigeon. Then pairs are selected, mated, and allowed to produce young birds on the basis of these records, plus other desirable attributes described in section VI.

b. CONDITION. The physical condition of a pigeon greatly affects its performance. Therefore, study physical characteristics of pigeons and enforce procedures prescribed in sections III and VII for feeding, watering, and maintaining proper physical condition.

c. TRAINING. Training of the pigeon begins at an early age, and is progressive and constant. The object is to settle the pigeon in its home loft in order to develop reliability and speed as described in

section V.. _d._ Treatment. the Pigeon Is Highly Sensitive and Responsive to

d. TREATMENT. The pigeon is highly sensitive and responsive to kindness, firmness, reward for good performance, and calmness of personnel handling it. Make the loft as attractive as possible because the pigeon prizes its home.

e. HANDICAPS. Bad weather, darkness, and injury, as well as inadequacies in breeding, conditioning, and training, reduce efficiency of pigeons (see par. 9c).

(1) Bad weather. This includes snow, fog, rain, and adverse winds, or any other conditions which reduce visibility or oppose the flight of the pigeon. Generally, flights may be predicted according to certain atmospheric conditions as follows:

Conditions Results

Blue sky, high ceiling with white Very fast speed. fleecy clouds, and low humidity.

Solid grey or bluish grey sky with Very slow speed, losses may low ceiling, no clouds, and high occur. humidity.

(2) Darkness. Pigeons never lose their initial fear of flying at night, but it is possible to train them to overcome this fear to a great extent. Their natural instinct and intelligence will come to their aid. Night operation, however, is considered impracticable for the Army pigeons because of the highly mobile tactics of modern warfare.

(3) Injury. Injuries are commonly caused by improper handling, predatory birds (such as hawks), enemy shellfire, or obstacles pigeons strike in flight. Protect pigeons by destroying all hawks in the vicinity of the lofts with shotguns provided for that purpose. Select safe locations for releasing pigeons. Minor injuries rarely prevent a homing pigeon from returning to its loft as long as they do not hamper it from determining the proper course of flight. When vitally injured, the pigeon will continue its return flight until physically exhausted. Any injury which permanently impairs the eyes or wings of a pigeon makes it unsuitable for any employment except breeding.

SECTION II. Description

DESCRIPTION

6. General Appearance

Pigeons must look healthy, well-balanced, alert, intelligent, and showing abundance of rich feathers and sheen. Figure 1 shows the main parts of the homing pigeon (the right wing is extended for ease of description).

7. Weight

A cock weighs from 14 to 17 ounces; a hen, from 13 to 16 ounces.

8. Plumage

Rich, abundant, and soft plumage should cover the entire body. The color itself is of no importance, but rich shades, with the checkered pattern (if present) standing out brightly and distinctly, usually indicate good health and satisfactory condition. For classification of pigeons according to color see paragraph 26.

9. Head

The head should be of a medium size, round or oval shaped, of broad structure and strongly set. It should not be tight or drawn at any one place.

a. BILL. The bill should be of medium length with small to medium wattles and set well into the head. No openings should be noticeable when the bill is closed.

b. EYE. See section VI.

c. EAR. The ear seems to play an important part in the bird’s sense of direction. It includes three parts: external ear, middle ear, and inner ear. At the top of the inner ear there are three semicircular canals which appear to be the nerve conductors of orientation. Although no one knows just what helps homing pigeons find their loft, it is possible that the great sensitiveness of their ears enables them to receive magnetic and atmospheric impression, and thereby to determine direction either at departure or during flight. This theory is based on the fact that atmospheric disturbances often cause the bird temporarily to lose its way.

10. Neck

The neck is of medium length, with no sign of dewlap at the throat. It tapers to a wide, well-sprung chest.

11. Body

a. BREAST. The breast (or chest) is broad and full in front; depth of breastbone should not exceed the width.

b. SHOULDERS. The shoulders are heavy and strongly reinforced with muscles.

c. BACK. The back is well-feathered, strong, flat and broad at the shoulders, narrowing toward the rump.

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d. KEEL. The keel is strong, arched in front, and of medium length and depth. Width of keel denotes strength.

e. ABDOMEN. The abdomen is reduced to the smallest proportions.

f. WINGS. The wings must be medium-sized, strong, well-proportioned, and rounded at the butt, with plenty of muscle. Primary flights should be of a good width, with plenty of overlapping space and a pronounced curvature towards the body. See i below. Secondary feathers should also be long and wide to provide a good covering for the entire back. Covert feathers should be sturdy and abundant, because they supply additional wing strength, as well as protect pigeons against adverse weather.

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