All material Copyright © 1996-2007 by Silvio Mattacchione & Co. unless otherwise noted.
THE
SHRADER BREEDING GAZEBO
By Silvio Mattacchione
Several
years ago I had the very good fortune to chat several times with a fancier
from
We
talked several times and then a period of time passed with little communication,
and then again there he was on the screen and on the phone. With the passage
of time we were to become good friends. Glenn Shrader
is a man that I am proud to call my friend! This long time resident of
I look forward, as does my family to his yearly visits. An extremely well respected and honorable man who spent 35.5 years in a super company called Publix. He retired in 2003 and now has time to seriously pursue his hobby.
I
was very surprised one evening to receive a call in which Glenn described
his newest loft project, an idea that had originated with another Floridian,
Mr. John Kale. John Kale I was to learn had acted as a mentor to Glenn,
and both are great friends. Glenn faxed me the rough drawing that had
been prepared by John in the dead of night when
the idea came to him in his sleep. He got up and immediately drew what
he had seen in his dream. Glenn took this idea and had Architect, Donald
A. Crichlow of
 |
| Layout
of Shrader Gazebo base. |
The "Shrader Breeding Gazebo" can be used in both warm and cold climates.
It allows you to have 10 individual breeding pens and all within a 3-foot
radius. Ten individual breeding pens ( each of
which is 3X3X3 ft.) in a very attractive and convenient structure. This
would sure make life easier for all of us. I intend to build this "Shrader
Breeding Gazebo" for myself this year. I know
it would really make my life a lot easier and more enjoyable. Who knows
I might even have it finished in time for Glenn's next visit to me in
 |
| Detail
of how to cut and join corners. |
Glenn has very kindly taken photos of the entire project from start to completion. All of these step-by-step photos were supplied to me so that I had a very good idea of how to build this great breeding gazebo. I have used these photos to illustrate this small article. This is a great, totally practical, worthwhile, as well as beautiful garden project. No doubt even your neighbors will be delighted with this fine loft in your backyard. Happy building!
 |
| Detail
of fastener used to fix wood frame to concrete base. |
 |
| Completed
Hexagon base, ready for framing walls. |
 |
| Framing
begins using standard 2X4 construction. |
 |
| Framing
of walls and individual breeding pens. |
 |
| Another
view of individual breeding pens. |
 |
| Detail
of roofing over the individual breeding pens. |
 |
| Interior
detail of completed individual breeding pens. |
 |
| Glenn
Shrader’s main loft in St. Augustine Florida. |
 |
| Completed
Shrader Gazebo ready for the wire application. |
Racing Pigeons Section Contents
Background on Silvio Mattacchione, his pigeons, his loft, and inbreeding program.
A group of articles and editorials addressing various aspects of the sport of pigeon racing and the history of Silvio's line of Spanjaards/Janssens pigeons.
Buy fantastic pigeon books online! Selections include The Will to Prepare by Robert Kinney, Rotondo on Racing Pigeons by Joseph Rotondo, and The Pigeon Guide by Dr. Jon Esposito and Shannon Hiatt.
Some of Silvio Mattacchione's own winning stock is for sale.
Sivio Mattacchione offers a wide range of racing pigeon consulting services and consults with owners as far away as Australia, Mexico, Taiwan, The Philippines and the United States. Each consultation is tailored specifically to meet the client's needs, and is conducted in as thorough a manner as possible.
Good causes supported by Silvio and the racing pigeon and parrot communities.
Clever pigeon pictures constructed of keyboard strokes by artist Jerry Downs.
Links to other racing pigeon sites including those of clubs, products, and information resources.
An easy way to navigate a series of pigeon web sites!
Silvio's e-mail, mail, phone, and fax contact information.