European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 07, 1977, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazines a photos by Jim Cole Are his fancy by Brad Durfee staff writer to been a few wars ago since pigeons were used for intelligence work by the . Armed forces but that does t Stop a i in Bremerhaven in the same line of work from remaining a Pigeon . Rusty Depew. A Security Intelli gence no. Is raising pigeons from scratch for the upcoming Young Bird racing  is not a Novice to the sport having raised and raced thoroughbred pigeons As a teenager in Austin. Texas. I was president of the capital City juniors a Pigeon club for youngsters in Austin for several  said Depew who is now a member of a German Pigeon club in Bremerhaven. He said there Are about 40 clubs in the Bremer Haven area. Each club has 15 to 20 members. I would say that in the states it s an involved Hobby whereas Over Here it s an intricate sport. They take it quite seriously and i know some members of my club who invest heavily in expensive  Pigeon fanciers the world Over will Tell you that before horses were invented Pigeon racing was the sport of Kings and As far As the Pigeon lovers arc concerned it still . Whose loft is in a Small rented Garden area where germans usually raise a few vegetables and Flowers for their Homes says he in t familiar with All the German names for the different Breeds yet but he s learning. The club members gave me some Stock to get started. The Birds Are Breeding now and will be ready to race in the Young Bird class when they Are five or six months  he noted that the homing pigeons he has on loan from his fellow club members can t be let out of his loft while they Are Breeding. They d go right Home. If i were to take these old Birds to Texas with me right now they d kill them selves trying to get Back to  Pigeon raisers of the racing homing species Are not Happy at All with the reputation Given pigeons because of the common Pigeon or Bunker As it is called in some parts of the states. These Are the Birds found Messing up buildings and statues the same Breed can be found bumming a free lunch from youngsters and oldsters sitting on Park benches or in Market places and plazas around the  feeds his Birds a variety of grains that includes bran. Oats Barley and Corn. He adds vitamins to the feed and also to the water they drink. One thing you have to worry about is their feed ing they la eat As Long As there is food in front of them i feed my Birds once a Day and watch their diet closely. I Don t want them  water they take a Bath in also has an Addi Tive solution that strengthens their feathers and keeps them free from bugs and parasites. The Birds built nests from tobacco Straw which Depew had strewn on the floor of the Coop. The female lays two eggs which Accord ing to Pigeon Landers is almost always one female and one male. Raising pigeons from scratch for the Young Bird racing season Rusty Depew of Bremerhaven. Female take turns sitting pm the a is i can t figure tout but i can Tell you one thing they Divide the times up somehow because they arc never mixed no matter what limn of Day. If i come in hero at any Given time it will be All males silting on the eggs or All females never some of each " he noted that the males sit at night and Thev Swap silting with their mates at first Light the gestation period is 18 Days from the Day the egg is Laid and after they arc hatched they slay in the nest fur two to three weeks. After thai a and a throw them out the Young Birds will be moved outside the screened in area to perches or roosts in the Coop where they will be free to go outside and come Back in the loft through a Gate of hanging wooden bars. These bars Are Ali part of their training for racing. You la notice that from the Dav they Arete the male and the Depew is Active in German Pigeon club. Bora they Are bar orientated they eat through ban. Go in and out through bars see Bare in the outside fenced Cage. Inside Cage. And even in the nesting area where they were  there s a reason for it when they come Back from a race they have to come Back into the loft through bars so their hand can be placed in a special clock that will Tell the exact Lime Thev finished the course this is important because it often determines who wins the race after the Birds have been out for a few Davs and get used to their location. Depew says he will take them a mile or two away As part of their training the next step will be a few practice races and then the regular Young Bird  after the first season the pigeons arc eligible to race in the old Bird competitions. As for the future of his loft. Depew said. I bought so bands and i Hope to have so  the bands Are placed on the Bird s right leg when they re five to seven Days old. They Are color coded by the year and numbered with the year a number designating the club and a series of numbers for the individual Birds. The country is also designated by letters. For instance if you come across an injured Pigeon and his band has the letters do the Bird is from Germany the bands Are put on the Bird upside Down for easier  said Depew asked what he will do with the Birds when he gets reassigned. Depew said that he would give his fellow club members who helped him get started their Choice of his Stock any Young Birds that Haven t flown out of this loft will be shipped to Texas ". Depew said that when be was racing pigeons at borne toe longest race us Birds participated in was from Savannah to Austin a distance of 99 Miles. I understand our club races in one from Basel. Switzerland to Bremerhaven which is at least 1.200 Kilometres 720 Miles right now he s just worried about the upcoming eight race season for Young Birds this summer hopefully. I la win a few races i be been told by local experts that i was Given some Good Stock " saturday May 7, 1977 the stars and stripes Page 13