TRAINING
31. Responsibility for Training
The commanding officer of a signal pigeon company, or the officer in
charge of a pigeon unit, will prepare a training program to serve as a
general guide for activities of the unit. Weekly training schedules for
the guidance of the enlisted personnel will be based upon this approved
training program for the unit.
32. Qualifications for Pigeoneers
_a._ GENERAL. Minimum specifications required for a pigeoneer are——
(1) _Skill._ That required for a basic private, plus the ability to
care for, feed properly, catch, and hold pigeons; to attach messages;
and to train birds for messenger service.
(2) _Knowledge._ That required for a basic private, plus a thorough
knowledge of capabilities, limitations, and habits of homing pigeons.
(3) _Personal traits._ A pigeoneer who is boisterous and of a turbulent
nature tends to frighten and upset pigeons and thus reduce their
effectiveness. The successful pigeoneer should possess——
(_a_) _Dependability._ To perform all his duties regularly and promptly.
(_b_) _Kindness._ To obtain confidence of the pigeons.
(_c_) _Patience._ To spend much time and repeated effort required for
training pigeons.
(_d_) _Neatness._ To maintain a sanitary and attractive loft for the
pigeons.
(_e_) _Firmness._ To enforce control over pigeons.
(_f_) _Power of accurate observation._ To note and learn
characteristics of individual pigeons in the loft by observing details
readily and accurately.
_b._ BASIC TRAINING. Only qualified basic privates are selected for
pigeoneer training. Skill and knowledge to be attained in this course
may be based on this manual.
_c._ ADVANCE TRAINING. Qualified pigeoneers who complete basic training
prescribed in _b_ above, and who possess the ability, may be selected
for advance training which will prepare them to become specialists or
non-commissioned officers. This training will teach:
(1) _Skill._ (_a_) Ability to manage a training loft and to train both
young and old pigeons.
(_b_) Ability to manage a breeding loft and supervise breeding
activities after schedules have been prepared.
(_c_) Ability to instruct others in (_a_) and (_b_) above.
(2) _Knowledge._ A pigeoneer should possess a thorough knowledge of
loft management; feeding, training, and breeding of pigeons; and
employment of pigeon communications described in this manual.
33. Introduction to Pigeon Training
It is almost impossible to prescribe any one method for training homing
pigeons. There are certain steps, however, that must be followed if the
birds are to give reliable messenger service. The methods for training
Army homing pigeons are prescribed in this section. However, they are
not the only methods by which birds can be trained. Success with the
birds depends largely on the individual pigeoneer’s experience and
technical knowledge. This is particularly true concerning operation of
combat lofts.
34. Settling Pigeons
Settling is the process of conditioning a pigeon to return to its home
loft when released. Best results can be expected from young birds just
out of the nest because settling and resettling become more difficult
as the age of the pigeon increases. Many different methods are used to
settle pigeons to lofts, and no ironclad rules can be set down to cover
all situations. The age of the birds, type of loft, and experience of
the pigeoneer will determine the method used and success achieved. Two
settling procedures will be explained in this section. The first will
be for young birds not strong on the wing, and the second for older
birds that are strong on the wing. These procedures are general and
may be used, with slight variations, to settle birds to all types of
lofts. In the case of the combat loft, however, remember that pigeons
are trained to recognize a certain type of loft rather than terrain
features or geographic locations. A combat loft is moved daily during
training so that the birds do not become accustomed to one location.
Otherwise settling to a combat loft is the same as settling to any
other loft.
_a._ SETTLING BIRDS NOT STRONG ON WING. The expression “not strong on
the wing” means that pigeons do not have sufficient strength in their
wings to stay in the air for sustained flight, for example, youngsters
removed from the nest when 28 to 36 days old. These young pigeons are
tame and easy to handle; they are not as excitable as older birds
because their sense of fear has not yet developed. For these reasons
they can be easily settled. They are not strong enough on the wing,
however, to stay away from the loft for prolonged periods.
(1) _Feed and water._ Feed birds liberally on the first day they are
placed in the loft, but never feed them heavily at any time after that.
Make sure the water fountain is placed where it can be found easily.
Young pigeons should be kept prisoners for about 2 days. During this
time watch them carefully to determine whether all have learned how to
drink. If any bird appears sleepy it may not have learned how to drink
or where to obtain water. This bird can be taught to drink by forcing
its entire beak into the water.
(2) _Learning to trap._ It is of the utmost importance that pigeons
used for delivering messages trap promptly. A bird may be the fastest
flyer in the loft yet be useless because it will not trap immediately
upon return to the loft. The message cannot be removed from the
pigeon’s leg if the bird stays on the roof of the loft instead of
entering the trap. For this reason it is essential that trapping
exercises be carefully carried out. The best time for this training
is when birds are being settled. Install the trap late in the evening
of the second day of confinement and allow the youngsters to go out
on their own initiative and look around. This enables them to become
familiar with the outside of the loft and the surrounding territory. On
the third day catch the youngsters, place them on the landing board,
and gently push one at a time through the trap. Some birds may take to
the wing but they will only stay in the air a few minutes at any one
time. These pigeons will not fly away; they are merely learning the use
of their wings and will return when tired. Place a small amount of feed
in the loft during this training and repeat the trapping exercise until
the youngsters overcome all fear of the trap. After the birds have
learned how to go through the trap allow them to remain outside the
loft for about 1/2 hour and then persuade them to trap into the loft
themselves. The birds are especially nervous at this time and should
not be frightened. While persuading the birds to enter the loft, the
pigeoneer should give them a small amount of feed by hand, and at the
same time acquaint them with the feed call.
(3) _Exercising._ On the fourth and following days of training the
birds may be turned out morning and late afternoon for approximately
1/2 hour of exercise. After each exercise period continue training the
birds to trap promptly upon their return to the loft. At this time
they should be fed only enough to assist in trapping. On these first
few days the pigeons may exercise singly or in small groups. On the
eighth day or soon after, however, most of the birds will begin to
take their exercise flights in one compact flock. As soon as they do
this, exercise the birds at noon as this will condition them faster
and also accustom them to flying during the heat of the day. If after
the seventh day there are a few birds that do not leave the loft for
exercise, induce them to fly by pushing them gently off the loft with
a bamboo fishing rod or similar pole. After all birds have learned to
exercise in a flock for 1/2 hour or more and then return to the loft
they may be considered settled. They are now ready for their first
training tosses (par. 35).
[Illustration: _Figure 25. Pigeons in trap of loft._
TL70194]
_b._ SETTLING BIRDS STRONG ON WING. The following method is suggested
for settling pigeons that are 36 days of age or older. It is assumed
that these birds have been trained to trap and that they are familiar
with the feed call. If they have not been taught to trap, then such
training must be carried on in conjunction with this method of
settling. It is necessary to use a wire inclosure such as a settling
cage in teaching these birds to trap because they will fly away if not
confined.
[Illustration: _Figure 26. Hand-feeding pigeons in loft._
TL70195]
(1) _Hunger and tameness._ These are the two most important factors in
settling birds strong on the wing, and the extent to which they are
developed and controlled will greatly determine the speed with which
the pigeons can be settled.
(_a_) _Hunger._ Never feed pigeons a full ration of feed at any one
time during the settling period. Keep them definitely on the hungry
side at all times. This serves to impress upon them that the loft is
the place to find food. Hand-feeding will control the distribution
of feed and, at the same time, encourage the birds to become tame.
Pigeoneers are urged to hand-feed their birds at all times if possible.
(_b_) _Tameness._ The pigeoneer should spend as much time as he can
in the loft with the birds. The loft should be arranged so that the
birds will be near the pigeoneer. This will serve a double purpose: the
pigeoneer becomes better acquainted with his birds, and they in turn
lose all fear of him.
(2) _Confinement._ It may be necessary to confine these birds for
several days, depending on their age. A settling cage to fit on the
landing board and roof of the loft may be constructed from wood and
wire mesh (fig. 27). This confines the pigeons, but at the same time
allows them to become acquainted with the roof, landing board, trap,
and immediate territory around the loft. The qualified pigeoneer can
anticipate by the tameness, hunger, and actions of the birds, when they
are ready to be given their first freedom.
(3) _First freedom._ Days with overcast skies or light rains are most
favorable for first releasing the birds. Best results can be expected
if birds are released in the late afternoon when they are hungry. When
the pigeoneer determines that the birds are ready to be given their
freedom, or on the third or fourth day of settling at the new location,
the following procedure is observed:
Force all of the pigeons into the settling cage, except for three
or four birds chosen in advance for their tameness. Give this small
group of birds their freedom. Pigeons love company; therefore, after
taking to the air, these birds will usually be attracted back by the
remaining birds in the settling cage. After the pigeons circle the loft
a few times call them in to prevent them from straying. For this first
liberation move the settling cage on the loft far enough to one side
to expose approximately half of the trap. This permits the pigeons to
enter the loft as soon as they return.
When the first group returns satisfactorily, give another small group
their freedom. The number of birds in the subsequent groups may be
increased if satisfactory results are obtained with the first few
groups. If the first group, or any part of it fails to return, however,
no other birds should be given their freedom that day. Repeat this
procedure the following day.
At no time during the first 2 days of liberty should the entire flock
be given its freedom at one time. After approximately 50 percent of the
birds has been given their liberty one or more times, the entire flock
may be given open loft and permitted to go in and out at will during
the late afternoon. Give open loft again the next day at the same time.
On subsequent days allow the birds their freedom each morning and
evening for approximately 1/2 hour of exercise.
Any birds that fail to take to the air should be gently forced to
exercise. Noon exercise periods will accustom birds to flying in the
heat of the day. When all birds have learned to exercise freely in a
flock and then return to the loft they are considered settled and ready
for further training as message carriers.
[Illustration: _Figure 27. Settling cage for loft, PG-68/TB._
TL70196]
(4) _Summary._ These essential points are to be remembered in settling
young pigeons:
(_a_) Teach birds to enter loft immediately after each exercise flight.
Loitering outside may become a fixed habit which will make the birds
undesirable for messenger service.
(_b_) Never drive pigeons from the loft during the first few days of
settling.
(_c_) Be sure pigeons are exercised and fed _regularly_.
(_d_) Keep birds as tame as possible and do not overfeed them.
(_e_) At no time allow the birds to become frightened.
(_f_) Do not interpret these instructions on settling as ironclad
rules. It may be necessary to vary them from time to time, depending
upon the situation.
35. Training for Messenger Service
This training is started as soon as the birds have been settled to the
loft from which they will be distributed. All pigeons except those
specifically reserved for breeding purposes may undergo training
continuously from the time they are 28 days old until they are no
longer suitable for messenger service. Fundamentally, the methods for
training pigeons to mobile combat lofts are the same as those for
stationary lofts. To avoid confusion, any difference in method will be
noted in the following paragraphs.
_a._ CONDITIONING. The first step in training homing pigeons for
messenger service is to develop the health and strength necessary to
endure sustained flight. This process is called conditioning. The
degree of training necessary to condition the birds will vary with the
mission for which they are being trained. Birds that will be required
to fly long distances will necessarily be given longer and more
intensive training than birds that will be required to fly only short
distances.
(1) _Health_ of the pigeon is dependent on proper care. Overcrowding
of birds should be avoided at all times. Good loft sanitation and
ventilation, together with proper diet and uncontaminated drinking
water, are factors in health that are under the control of the
pigeoneer. He is therefore largely responsible for the over-all health
of pigeons in his loft.
[Illustration: _Figure 28. Releasing pigeons from Crate PG-49._
TL70197]
(2) _Strength_ is developed by exercise flights around the loft, and by
training flights made from distant points.
_b._ TRAINING FLIGHTS. Pigeons may be given training flights in groups,
in pairs, or singly. This training procedure is sometimes called
“taking the birds down the road for a training toss.”
(1) _Group tossing._ Three or more birds are released at one time.
Young birds are gregarious and will work more satisfactorily when
released in small groups rather than individually. For this reason
birds being given their first training flights should be group tossed.
(2) _Double tossing._ A flock of pigeons is released in pairs; each
pair is permitted sufficient time to disappear before the next pair is
released.
(3) _Single tossing._ One bird at a time is released and permitted
to return to the loft alone. This is valuable training and all birds
should be given two or more single tosses of 10 or more miles before
being used in messenger service. Single tossing should not be practiced
at distances in excess of 10 miles until the pigeons have been well
settled in a particular location.
(4) _Use of cage PG-50 in training._ Preliminary training of pigeons
should include several brief periods of confinement in the 10-bird
training cage PG-50. After a period of confinement open doors carefully
and allow the birds to emerge of their own free will. The release point
should be within sight of the loft.
(5) _Use of pigeon equipment PG-103/CB and PG-105/CB._ Pigeons to be
used for carrying messages should be released from these 2- or 4-bird
containers after a brief interval of confinement. This will accustom
them to the boxes before combat use. Make sure fresh water is available
for the birds during confinement period.
[Illustration: _Figure 29. Cage PG-50, containing pigeons._
TL70198]
[Illustration: _Figure 30. Releasing pigeons from Pigeon Equipment
PG-103/CB._
TL70199]
_c._ ADVANCED TRAINING FLIGHTS. Advanced training of military pigeons
is primarily directional flight training, that is, releasing training
pigeons to fly back in one general direction from various distances
along the same course. The course may be north, south, east or west
as determined by the location of the loft in relation to the point of
release. Directional flights are the most suitable for military use,
since speed and reliability of the bird are considerably increased
and the time involved in training is comparatively short. If properly
trained, however, pigeons will return to their loft from reasonable
distances in any direction. A return flight from a direction different
from the trained line of flight would be called a nondirectional
flight. The speed from nondirectional flights will usually be slower
and less reliable than from directional flights. This is particularly
true when the pigeon must fly from the opposite direction of the
trained line of flight. For nondirectional flights to be reliable,
pigeons should be given training tosses from varying distances from all
points of the compass. Since this type of training is not stressed in
the Army Pigeon Service the subject will not be discussed any further.
[Illustration: _Figure 31. Pigeon Equipment PG-105/CB, containing
pigeons._
TL70200]
(1) _Directional training to stationary lofts._ The stationary loft
training chart (fig. 32) will aid the pigeoneer in directional training
of pigeons when the loft is in a permanent location. During training,
flight speeds will average 30 miles an hour from distances of 13 miles
or more if a direct line of flight is followed. When the training
flights (fig. 32) have been completed, the speed of pigeons will
usually be faster than 37-1/2 miles an hour. To maintain this speed
approximately once a week give pigeons one flight from 40 to 50 miles
and two or more short flights from 15 to 20 miles. Such flights will
keep the birds in condition for messenger service from distances up to
125 miles. Any bird returning in bad condition will be benefited more
by a rest of 3 or more days than by further training. If birds exceed
40 miles an hour on their first training flight from release points
of 13 miles or more, they may be failing to observe variations in
topography. Therefore, to be conservative during this training period,
release them again from the same point in order that they may learn
thoroughly the physical characteristics of the region over which they
fly. This second liberation from the same point greatly assists in
avoiding losses at future liberating points from greater distances. A
second liberation is also recommended if the birds return at speeds of
less than 20 miles an hour, since it can be assumed that they did not
follow a direct line of flight. A second flight over the same course
gives the birds an opportunity to learn a more direct line of flight.
Unless adverse weather conditions exist, pigeons generally continue to
fly in a direct line once it is learned. Strong head winds and the need
to fly around local storms will slow the birds down.
[Illustration: _Figure 32. Stationary loft training chart._
TL70201]
[Illustration: _Figure 33. Combat loft training chart._
TL70202]
(2) _Directional training to combat lofts._ Combat (or mobile) lofts
are used during combat when it is necessary to establish immediate
pigeon communication. Since pigeons may be required to furnish reliable
messenger service within 8 days after moving to a new location, their
training must be carefully planned and skillfully accomplished.
Flight training begins as soon as the loft is established near the
headquarters to be served. Until this time, however, the birds are
not given any training tosses. They are, of course, fully settled
to the loft and have been taking daily exercise flights around the
loft at each new location to which the loft has been moved. Give the
birds their first exercise flight shortly after establishing the new
location. After the birds have had a brief rest they are given their
first training toss. If weather permits, group toss the birds many
times each day thereafter. Increase the distance and reduce the size
of the group each day so that the birds may be trained to distances of
25 to 50 miles in 5 days. When giving this flight training, follow the
combat loft training chart shown in figure 36.
_d._ REMOBILE TRAINING. (1) _Remobiling._ After combat birds have
been moved into a stationary position and have been flown from this
location, it is desirable to train them to mobility again before
moving them into a new location. This process is called remobiling
and can best be accomplished by moving the loft only a few feet at a
time until the pigeons again become accustomed to having it moved.
The birds will seem quite nervous and a few may settle on the ground
or fail to enter the loft the first few times it is moved. The birds
should become accustomed to searching for the loft regardless of its
location. After this stage of training has been reached, the loft
should be moved farther and farther away from the old location. Work
the pigeons as a regular mobile team from this point on, always making
sure that the birds are allowed plenty of time in the settling cage
before they are released. This process of remobiling homing pigeons
can best be accomplished with young birds that have not been settled
in one location for more than 6 weeks. If there is a shortage of young
birds and it is necessary to use older birds which have been remobiled
numerous times, transport them to the new location as many times as
possible. Feed the birds at the new location and never at the old home
loft. The birds will thus learn to retrace their flight to the new loft
if they return to their previous location. This method is useful only
when the new location is known in advance. Birds that fail to perform
properly as message carriers and are unsuitable for breeding purposes
should be destroyed. Birds showing symptoms of sickness should be
removed from the loft and forwarded for hospitalization, or destroyed
if hospitalization facilities are not available.
(2) _Reestablishing new location._ If the tactical situation requires
the message center to be moved forward, a new loft with birds that
have been trained in mobility will be placed in the new location. The
old loft may continue to operate until the new loft has established
reliable communication. This method of operation insures continuous
message service. As soon as the new loft has established reliable
message service, the old loft will be removed, and if the birds are
still suitable for combat loft flying the loft will be remobiled. If
the birds are no longer suitable for combat flying because of numerous
resettling at different locations, or from being settled in one
location too long, they may be returned to the base camp and put in one
of the breeding sections. The combat loft will then be restocked with
new youngsters from the breeding lofts and training in mobility will
begin.
_e._ TRAINING PRECAUTIONS. (1) _Overtraining._ Care should be taken
during flight training not to overtrain the birds. Such training does
more harm than good, particularly if long distances are involved.
Overtraining can be detected by the slightly dizzy, sleepy, and
unbalanced appearance of the birds while resting. When this condition
occurs, allow the pigeon to rest for a few days with open loft but no
forced exercise.
(2) _Feed mixtures while training._ The birds should have access to
fresh water and grit at all times. Make sure that the feed is clean
and in the best possible condition. Never change the mixture during
training or while the pigeons are being used for messenger service
because the change will throw the birds out of condition.
(3) _Training losses._ Forcing the birds to undertake distant flying
before they become properly settled to a location causes frequent
losses during the training stage. Care should be taken to limit the
first few training flights to distances of approximately 1 mile or less.
(4) _Catching pigeons._ The pigeoneer should avoid quick or sudden
movements in the loft and should never chase the birds in order to
catch them. When it is necessary to catch pigeons during daylight
hours, close the blackout windows or insert the shutters to darken
the loft. The pigeons may then be picked up easily with the aid of a
flashlight. The pigeoneer should avoid catching the pigeons in the loft
immediately after their return from a training flight.
36. Delivering Pigeons by Parachute
_a._ EQUIPMENT. Parachute equipment PG-100/CB consists of a
collapsible, cylinder-type, 4-bird container and a 6-foot hemispherical
baseball-type parachute with a quick release clip. Parachute equipment
PG-101/CB is of similar design except that the container has an 8-bird
capacity and is attached to a 9-foot parachute. This equipment is
specifically designed to supply initially or to resupply pigeons to
infantry parachute troops, infantry glider troops, or any isolated
forces requiring delivery of pigeons by air.
[Illustration: _Figure 34. Factory-packed parachute equipment
PG-100/CB, containing pigeons._
TL70203]
_b._ INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE. To insure safe delivery of the pigeons,
caution must be observed when attaching containers to the parachutes.
[Illustration: _Figure 35. Parachute laid out on flat surface._
TL70204]
[Illustration: _Figure 36. Parachute folded lengthwise._
TL70205]
[Illustration: _Figure 37. Parachute folded into pack._
TL70206]
[Illustration: _Figure 38. Parachute pack tied and static line
attached._
TL70207]
The instructions printed on each parachute pack should be strictly
adhered to.
_c._ RESULTS. Best results will be obtained when pigeons are launched
between the altitudes of 200 and 1,000 feet with air speed not
exceeding 125 miles an hour. Pigeons launched within these general
limits are less likely to become lost because of excessive drift. The
possibility of injury to the birds from high speed air rushing through
the container, or from shock when the parachute opens, will be reduced
to a minimum.
_d._ INSTRUCTIONS FOR REPACKING PARACHUTES. The following method is
suggested for repacking either 6- or 9-foot parachutes for future use
after they have been used once for dropping pigeons to ground troops.
(1) Stretch parachute full length, with one man holding the canopy
at the center of the top and another man holding the shroud lines
taut at the shroud line separator disk. Straighten all shroud lines,
making sure none are twisted. Lay the parachute on a flat surface and
pick each fold of the canopy as one would pick petals from a flower,
dividing the folds and associated shroud lines equally on each side
(fig. 35). Eliminate creases by running the hand between the folds.
(2) Make an “S” fold in the canopy lengthwise from the crown (fig. 36).
The hem will form a large letter “S” if the fold is made properly.
(3) Lay the shroud lines in small “S” folds on the canopy starting
approximately 10 or 12 inches back from the hem, making a sufficient
number of folds to bring the shroud line separator disk close to the
hem of the canopy. The parachute is now ready to be folded into a pack.
To do this, make three accordion folds in the canopy (fig. 37).
(4) Tie the folded canopy in position with two tie cords of not more
than 15 pounds strength. Place one cord approximately 2-1/2 inches
back from the hem and the other cord 2-1/2 inches from the end of the
pack. Attach the static line to the tie cord near the end of the pack,
leaving enough tail for another tie to be made to the other tie cord
near the hem with 3 inches of slack left between the two ties (fig.
38). The static line must have a tensile strength of at least 200
pounds and be 15 feet long. The 3 inches of slack left between the two
ties are necessary for each tie cord to receive a sharp individual
snap; otherwise both cords will break simultaneously.
(5) Push the remainder of the static cord between one of the folds in
the parachute. The parachute is now ready for reuse.