Preparations for the mating of stock-pairs

Gallez here usually tries to have a minimum of forty to fifty youngsters which can be trained to the widowhood game during the year of their birth, so that they can fly the youngbird races as young widowers.
All stock-birds receive a full course of preventive medication, as described elsewhere in this book, starting trom the 1st of November. The day the birds are paired, the following is in order. . .

1. In those cases where the cocks had their own nest-box in the past, the hen is shut up in her half of the box for half a day ; the cock is permitted to fly freely in and out of his half of the nest-box. In this fashion, the cock does not fight with his hen, and possibly scalp her. When they are paired, they remain in the stock-loft, so they can mix with the other stock-birds, but they remain locked in their box for two full days. After this, the hen remains locked in their half of the box for an additional half-day, while the male is permitted to fly in and out of the box, getting to know its correct place and location in the loft.

2. For the first two days, the loft manager remains in the loft at all times, to make sure that every pair gets to know its own nest-box. During this pairing-up, as well as after, the stock-pairs get their food in a common feeding tray. This consists of the following :
a) In the moming, they are given a « cleaning mixture » and are permitted to eat as much of this as they want. The trays are removed afterone hour, to make sure that they all eat their « rearing mixture » later on in the day.
b) In the evening, they are fed a « rearing mixture » as set out elsewhere in this book. They are permitted their fill of this, then once again, the trays are removed.
A clean and disinfected nest-bowl is placed into every nest-box. At the same time, the birds receive in the loft ;

a) a common grit-box, filled with grit of the very finest quality, and consisting of 10 % red stone.
b) a common trough of minerals containing the well-known « stop Santos ». This is a product that prevents diarrhea, which may result from driving to the nest.
At the Gallez lofts, everything is well-planned. As a result of this planning, all moves along well. The stock-birds, the youngbirds and even the late-bred hens all lay at the same time. The preparation of the birds and the attentive care provided them contributes to the procedure in such a  manner, that ten to twelve days after the pairing, all birds start on the breeding period.
Some one may ask : « Don't the stock-birds receive anything special in their drinking water ? » On those days when the birds do not receive vitamins, or during the period that they have small youngsters in the nests- that is to say, until the day that the youngsters are fed with large beans by their parents- they are given iodine in the drinking water, as mentioned elsewhere in thisbook. Every other fourteen days- and for
a period of two days- stock birds receive a vitamin-complex (Vitachoc) in the drinking water- a teaspoonful to every 3,5 pints of water.

Inbreeding or crossing?
For those fanciers who yearly see the mating lists of the Gallez lofts, it comes as no surprise that Gallez prefers crossings exclusively, and practically never inbreeds at all! Here is a summary of his thoughts ont he subject... «I am absolutely against inbreeding. The reason for this is that it entails many dangers, as for example, the great number of inferior pigeons which results from this practice. I do not think it is possible to reach the top in the pigeon sport, and to stay there, with an inbred family. With pigeons bred in close blood relationship, it is impossible that they will all have the same stubborn will to win, will keep their vitality, and will improve to a higher standard. I wish to state that only out of well-considered crosses, will the real champions be born. Through the breeding of ordinary prize-winning pigeons, one can not really attain name and fame. There is enough evidence on record, to prove that inbreeding is a dangerous weapon to handle ».
We are of the opinion that in this brief summary, lies hidden a part of the success of the loft of Gallez.