Race Calendar in May
- Season in full swing — 1–2 races per week
- Distances increase toward 400–600 km (long distance races)
- Plan in advance which birds go to which distances
- Do not send all birds to all races — intelligent rotation
Managing the Heat
- Fresh water at least twice per day at temperatures above 28°C
- Shade available during free exercise — do not leave birds on a sun-baked roof
- Feed early in the morning and in the evening — avoid the peak heat hours
- Electrolytes 2–3 times per week
Warning: Heat intensifies the multiplication of internal and external parasites. Tricho and coccidiosis become more aggressive in May–June. Strict monitoring.
Recovery After Long Races
- Long distance (400+ km): minimum 5–7 days recovery before the next basketing
- Vitamin B complex + amino acids on days 1–2 after return
- Lighter feed in the first 2 days (avoid too much maize)
- Careful observation — birds returning in poor condition need treatment
Ongoing Selection
- Birds that do not return from 2 consecutive races are dropped from the team
- Good benchmark: top 30% in velocity in your club — that means a competitive team
- Record placings after every race — trends matter more than a single race
In brief: In May you decide which birds in the team deserve a full season and which step back. Data from the first 4–5 races are sufficient for the decision.
Health in May
- Tricho treatment mid-month (after the first 3–4 races)
- Check droppings for coccidiosis — especially after rainy days
- Paratyphoid (salmonella) — higher risk in May, especially for birds returning from baskets
Common Mistakes
- Overloading — too many races without sufficient recovery
- Ignoring fatigue signals: slower returns, reduced appetite
- Changing feed on a race weekend — do not experiment before a race
Concrete Action Steps
- Rotation plan for the team: which birds go to which races in May
- Performance diary updated after every race
- Tricho treatment mid-month
- Intermediate selection: drop weak birds from the team