CRC
News and Updates
Apr-24-2023
MAY 1ST LAST DAY TO SHIP
Good Morning Breeders!
 
Last day to ship all birds is May 1st!  Keep an eye on inventories.
 
Those breeders that have paid for 6 or more perch fees, be sure to take advantage of the free back up bird as stated in the rules.
 
Rules
 
We are finally getting some much needed sunshine and warmth.  Looks like we might be up into the 80s by the end of the week.   Birds and I are definitely enjoying it.  The birds are flying more and more each time they are out and getting the hang of flying in a flock. 
 
Appetites continue to be good, especially with the cold nights.  I have had to pull a few birds out of the main flock over the week for a variety of issues, but for the most part, the birds are doing well.  I always look forward to receiving the last of the birds and getting them all settled into one flock.  
 
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out!
 
Have a great week.
 
Please remember to only ship on Monday and Tuesday.

Lucas
 
 
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac, Topigeon clocking system, and Ropa B
Apr-16-2023
LOFT IS FULL!
Good Evening Breeders,
 
Just wanted to inform everyone that the loft is full for this year.  Please only ship birds that have been prepaid or that are replacements.
 
Last day to ship all birds...including replacements is May 1st.
 
Overall, the birds are doing great.  It continues to be a cold spring, but we are all making the best of it.  The raptors have been terrible with the cooler spring...everything is hungry.  The main flock is getting out as much as possible and are starting to flock more and more.  They are definitely happy to get out and stretch those wings.  
 
I will go through today's trainer and update any missing birds by tonight. If you see a bird that hasn't been clocking and have questions, please reach out so I can take a look.  There isn't an easy way for me to find missing birds at this point, so I have to go through each breeder and compare it to today's trainer.  Once all the birds are in the loft, all I have to do is press a button and wincompanion will automatically generate any missing birds.  
 
Birds are keeping me busy with day to day chores.  Each morning I push the birds out into the aviaries and scrape the wire floors and Virkon the loft before they are allowed back in.  Waters are changed and disinfected twice daily.  Birds are getting as much as they want to eat at this point and receiving a rotation of Primalac and Ropa B in the water.  Monday is my mineral day when I add new free choice minerals to all the pots and add fresh grit.  
 
This week looks like more of the same with freezing night time temperatures and a high of 50 during the day.
 
Thank you all for the continued support!
 
 
 
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac, Topigeon clocking system, and Ropa B
Apr-02-2023
GOOD EVENING!
Good Evening Breeders!
 
Windy and chilly here at the loft today.  The weather has not been cooperating to get these birds out much, but they are taking it in stride.  Thursday I was able to get the first three groups out and they did quite well, even with having two separate cooper's hawks come in on them.  I did have birds everywhere and they definitely learned a lot on that outing.  This spring has been cold and windy...but it looks like we will finally be getting some warmer weather next week.
 
There are a few birds missing from Thursday's flight, so I will be sure to update the missing birds on Sunday.  
 
If you do not plan on sending your birds this next week, I would suggest pre paying your perch fees.  I am filling quickly and I don't want anyone to be caught by surprise when I am full.   The post office has been doing a good job getting birds here on time, despite the snow on the mountain passes.  
 
Overall, the birds are doing well despite the weather.  I am keeping them well fed and they spend most of the day out in the large aviaries enjoying the sunshine when it comes out.  They have enjoyed a couple baths on sunny days and many of them are in a heavy molt.
 
I hope this finds everyone well and thank you all for the support.
 
Lucas

 
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac, Topigeon clocking system, and Ropa B
Mar-20-2023
GOOD MORNING!
Good Morning Breeders!
 
Wet and windy this morning.  There are just under 400 birds here at the loft.  There are two groups (red and orange) trap training and learning my schedule in the main loft.  They are ready to get out and fly...just waiting on the weather.  Birds are color coded by week they arrive, giving me a better handle on organizing each group.  
 
Birds are doing well and getting used to my routine. It has been a cold spring but the birds have been taking it all in stride.  I am definitely looking forward to some warm sunny days.  Appetites are good and birds are receiving either Ropa B or Primalac in the water each day.  They also receive Kastle Youngbird Developer on the feed a couple of times a week.
 
I am looking forward to another busy week.  Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
 
Have a great week!
 
Lucas
 
 
 

--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac, Topigeon clocking system, and Ropa B
Mar-05-2023
GOOD MORNING!
Good Morning Breeders,
 
Snowy morning here at the loft.  I had a good first week with 117 birds arriving and settling well into quarantine.  A few of the shipments were a bit late with weather delays, but the majority arrived in good time.
 
A few reminders...
I do not accept birds with POX, so please do not send them...I will not hold them in quarantine.   
Please remember to put some absorbent bedding in the bottom of your boxes...your babies will be more comfortable and less dirty when they arrive.  
Please remember to include your perch fees with your birds, it helps me immensely.
Please ship Monday and Tuesday.  Our post office is closed on Saturday.  
 
 
This next week will continue to be chilly with night time temperatures in the low 20s and daytime highs in the low 40s.  
 
I hope this finds everyone well...always feel free to reach out with any questions.
 
Have a great week and thank you all for sending birds this year!
 
Lucas
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac, Topigeon clocking system, and Ropa B
Feb-21-2023
GOOD MORNING!
Good Morning Breeders!
 
One week away from the start of our season.  I'm glad I don't have birds here yet, our low temperatures will be in the single digits later this week.  Next week looks like it will be back to normal weather for the arrival of the first birds.  Lofts have been pressure washed and disinfected and are ready for the birds.  
 
Thank you all for considering Crooked River Challenge to race this year!  This will be season number 8 for CRC, which is hard to believe...Big thank you to those that have supported this race from the beginning!
 
Feel free to shoot me a text or email with tracking information on your shipment if you would like.  I will send a text when birds arrive to confirm arrival, so be sure to have your name and phone number on your shipment.  Perch fees are required with bird arrival, unless prepaid (makes accounting much easier on my end).  Birds are immediately chipped and entered into wincompanion upon arrival.  
 
Please reach out with any questions.
 
Take Care 
 
Lucas
 
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac, Topigeon clocking system, and Ropa B
Jan-28-2023
GOOD MORNING!
Good Morning Breeders!
 
Beautiful sunny morning here at the loft.  Less than 5 weeks away from receiving our first birds for the 2023 season!  Breeders are welcome to start sending birds on Monday February 27th.
 
Welcome to all the new breeders signing up for this year's race! Thank you to all of those breeders that continue to support the Crooked River Challenge.
 
Thank you to Primalac and Ropa B for the continued support of our race, they have been with us from the beginning.  These are some of the best products available for keeping pigeons healthy!
 
Vaccines arrived last week from Siegels and our pallet of minerals and pellets will be arriving from Jedds next week.  
 
Please be sure to vaccinate youngsters at least two weeks for PMV before shipping.  I like to see birds arrive that are eating and drinking well on their own and are able to fly up to a top perch.  When birds arrive they go into a quarantine 6'x12' loft/section with 30 other birds, so important to have PMV vaccination and eating/drinking well.  
 
Take care and good luck to those with birds in races today.  Feel free to reach out with any questions.
 
Lucas

 
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac, Topigeon clocking system, and Ropa B
Jan-01-2023
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year!

 

Wishing everyone happiness and success in 2023!  Happy Breeding!

I am looking forward to handling the new crop of youngsters in March.

 

Take Care.  Lucas
Nov-20-2022
2023 INFORMATION UPDATED
Good Morning Breeders!  
 
Chilly 12 degrees this morning but the sun is shining.  I have updated the website with the 2023 information and rules.  Not much has changed going into this next season. Please make sure and read through the rules and get in touch with any questions. Here are a couple of changes to keep in mind when planning your breeding. Everyone is of course welcome to reserve perches for next season...Please do not prepay perch  fees until after January 1st.

"Perch Fee:  $150 per Bird (non refundable). Breeders that send 6 or more birds may send ONE backup bird." (Not one backup per 6 birds)

"All birds will have their 9th flight pulled around May 15th and 10th flight around June 15th."

 
Accepting birds March 1st through May 1st.  Please band with official bands AU, IF, CU, MEX...etc.
 
Average speed....6 years out of the 7...the average speed winner has arrived here at the loft in March, since that is usually a significant payout, it is something to keep in mind.  
 
I hope everyone will be able to spend time with friends and family this next week!  I am beyond thankful for the continued support going into the eight year of the Crooked River Challenge!
 
Take Care and as always reach out with any questions.
 
Lucas
 
 
 --
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac, Topigeon clocking system, and Ropa B
Oct-29-2022
LAST BIRD SHIPMENTS 10/31
Good Morning Breeders,
 
I hope this email finds you all well.  I was able to ship out 165 boxes this week, so most of you were able to get your birds.  I have another 30 boxes or so to ship Monday.  
 
I can only assume, those I haven't heard from do not want their birds returned.  
 
This next week I will be cleaning/pressure washing and prepping the loft to get a new coat of paint.  I'm hopeful there may still be a couple warm days in November to get it painted.
 
 
Thank you all again for another successful year!  I will be updating race information and webpage for the 2023 season in November.  

Take Care
 
Lucas
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac, Topigeon clocking system, and Ropa B
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