Thanks in no small part to my father, Norman Rau, I have been involved in the breeding, showing and or racing of pigeons for over 50 years, literally all my life. The number of stories I could tell and the number of friends that I have met are numerous. I wouldn't trade those memories for anything.

At age 5, I remember leaving the coop door open to my Dad's "racing homer prisoner loft"!

At Age 8, I remember "helping" tear down all the thousands of show coops at the Boston Poultry Show in Quincy, MA. and we didn't finish until 3 am!

At age 16, I remember receiving as a gift my 1st fantails from "Master Breeder" Raymond Ostrander.

It wasn't until 1973, that I was bitten by the color genetics bug. As president of the Maine & NH Racing Combine, I was heavily into racing. It was April of that year that I banded 73 BID 4720. Her sire was a blue bar & her dam was a red check from a Mr. Fisher (Pittsburg, PA). It wasn't long before I realized she wasn't a "normal" racer. Her record was nothing short of phenomenal... 1st, 2nd, 7th, 9th and 19th combine in just 2 seasons of flying... but the best part of it all ... was later I learned she was a "recessive opal"!

Colored Homers CAN fly!

Due to my local club folding, I unfortunately no longer race competitively.

Over the years, my focus has varied. But, since my 4720 days I have always maintained a loft of "colored racers". Today, I breed and show modenas (again color driven) and Old German Owls along with my "colored racers".

I keep a core of "Ganus" & "Peeman" racers down from some of my best from my racing days. Constantly, back crossing  my colored birds into these birds. Although different color genes are at different stages of homing /racing ability, I try to fly out my Ybs to a minimum of 100 miles each year. Some have gone much further.

For those new to color genetics, I suggest you click on my link  "color treatise"  to view pictures of some of our birds to learn what is available in the world of color.

I enjoy corresponding (email preference) and if I can help you with foundation stock or just genetics conversation don't hesitate to contact me.

Yours in the hobby and best of luck,

Karl