From Moult to Rest – The Forgotten Phase

26/10/2025

The moult is almost behind us. The feathers are renewed, the loft looks calm again, and the pigeons are sitting sleek and content. But this is not the moment to switch to autopilot. The transition from the moulting season to the resting period is one of the most important phases of the year. How you guide your pigeons now largely determines how they will perform next spring.

After an intensive period of rich, oil-based moulting mixtures, the pigeons’ bodies are ready for a bit of relief. As soon as you stop feeding the moulting mix, it’s wise to plan a detox week. A natural cleansing helps the liver and kidneys remove waste products, allowing the body to recover. During this phase, Backs Liquid Tea is an excellent choice. It supports metabolism and digestion in a gentle, natural way, helping the pigeons enter their rest period clean and refreshed.

After the detox, it’s time to switch to a rest mixture. A good rest feed is lighter, lower in fat, but still provides enough energy and nutrients to keep the pigeons balanced. The moult is a building phase; the rest period is a recovery phase. Those who understand that difference are already laying the foundation for real form in the spring.

This transitional period is also the perfect time to know, not guess. Have your pigeons checked for paratyphoid – a dropping test is always wise. If your pigeon vet recommends it, consider a short course of treatment or even a vaccination. And don’t forget to check for trichomoniasis (canker). A clean, healthy foundation now will prevent problems in the colder months and allow the pigeons to build natural resistance.

During the resting period, the body shouldn’t come to a halt. Support your pigeons systematically with products that promote recovery. Think of Backs Glutamin, which aids muscle repair and nutrient absorption, and again Backs Liquid Tea, which supports intestinal health.  And of course, provide good grit at least twice a week — for example, Ocean Gold — to ensure proper digestion and strong bones.

Yet every year we see the same thing happen. The racing season is over, the pressure is gone, and suddenly the cheapest mix seems “good enough.” The white sacks reappear, leftovers are thrown together, and whatever remains is “used up.” But that’s asking for trouble. It’s like football players who, after the season, trade their six-pack for a soft belly. People laugh in the off-season, but when competition starts again, they’re slow, injury-prone, and out of shape.

It’s no different with pigeons. Those who neglect them now will pay the price in spring: uneven flying, mucus problems, and lack of form. Then the quick fixes begin — a yellow cure here, a “form booster” there — but the foundation remains weak. You can’t cure form; you build it. And that doesn’t start in March, but now, in October/November, in the quiet after the moult.

A pigeon that enters winter clean, calm, and in balance is like an athlete finishing pre-season training in top condition: strong, fresh, and ready for what’s ahead. The fancier who takes this period seriously will reap the rewards later — not through luck, but through a solid foundation and a healthy team ready for the new season.

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