Blue Chequer

The RPRA race is £100 per bird with the first £50 needed straight away to reserve your place. Last year me and a few mates entered seven and finished up with 2 going to the last race. Losses were unbelievable, if someone had told me that over 600 of the original 800 would be lost I would not have believed it possible. I went to see the birds return from one of the Hot Spot races (I think it was about 120miles) most of them sat on the loft top and when they went in they were gagging for a drink. The web-site was not updated very quickly last year, hopefully things will improve this time. Bilco said he wouldn't have a go because of all the hawks on the route, I don't think the hawks had that many. Despite all this I think we will be having a go again in 2006.

You don't hear Ged Jackson complaining, he has been blind for many years but still manages to race. Obviously he has a rapport with his birds. In my opinion when it comes in there will be fewer people keeping racing birds. I have found that the fanciers keeping the fancy breeds are far friendlier and accept show results without any grumbles. There is no money to win in showing and at the end of the day unfortunately this is what it is all about. The greedy are getting greedier, I know which lofts would be the first to get the system in my area, they won't be watching the birds come back, they will be cocked in the club drinking. Same old thing leave the work to the ones who will do it and lets get as much out of the club as we can for nowt. No its not the way forward as far as I am concerned. Blue Chequer.

I hope to be attending as I am very interested in the Blowers. Blue Chequer

Quite simply, in a nutshell, IT IS NOT PIGEON RACING. The makers have slowly been working their magic by letting clubs trial the system, letting one loft races use it (fair enough) Now they are suggesting that Unions should comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. Not for me thankyou and I could afford it.

Nice Blue, I think if I go for another breed it will be the Horsman, they are apparently a quiet breed and very friendly, also nice to watch flying out. Blue Cheq.

Hi Graham, Are you a member of the VPC Blowers Club? Jim Mullan is involved with the Spanish Blowers isn't he? Cheers- Blue Chequer.

Glassfeather, I feel a bit nipped about the Nottingham Show (I believe this is the Young bird show) I thought the show season was over so clipped the muffs on my Pouters. Never mind it should be a good day out. Blue Cheq.

Hi, An old remedy for birds with pipey feathers was to powder with "Flowers of Sulphur". I think you will find this bird will always moult like this and may well breed pigeons that do likewise. "Blue Chequer".

Who has the best German Beauty's in the U.K.??? Blue Chequer.

Samantha, Most of the clubs cater for all breeds, I have a few Pomeranian Pouters which I have shown at local Agricultural Shows during the summer but they are not at their best until after the moult in the Autumn. I am a member of the Newcastle Columbrian Soc. which is based and hold their shows at Darlington. My main hobby however are the racers. If you get onto the Feathered World site as you have alreday been given the details I am sure you will find a breeder near you who will advise you on how to go on. Best of luck, AS

I think the Mini site could be better if clubs would update them on a weekly basis, they have bothered to put their clubs on the Site and then don't bother putting the results on every week. Blue Chequer.