Thanks in no small part to my father, Norman Rau, I have been involved in the breeding, showing and or racing of pigeons and poultry 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 (Pittsburgh, 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.

My involvement with color genetics also spilled over into my poultry breeding. I bred and showed cochin bantams for over 40 years... although no longer breeding cochins, I do still breed a few "Standard" poultry breeds..... of course concentrating on color!

Then there are my stories of breeding finches, canaries and Australian parrots and parakeets in many breeds!

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