Why the biggest national pigeon organisation in Scotland (SNFC) isn't using Geraldy or very similar transporters is beyond me... they have been using them successfully on the continent for decades! Most pigeons don't see past the three year stage now anyway due to very poor racing into Scotland, so young birds brought up with Geraldy's will know no difference when it comes to shavings or not, and as there years progress as old birds... shavings used in such a close proximity like a wicker basket with 'X' number of pigeons in them is only going to cause dust inhalation and this will effect the pigeons upper respiratory system... and when in the basket for 3 days plus and we must take into account the number of holdovers in recent years, in my opinion is going to have catastrophic consequences, not to mention drinkers being contaminated with soiled shavings... So Geraldy transportation or similar is the only way forward to enhance the pigeons welfare whilst on long journey's to the racepoints... But on the other hand we must not get to carried away by jumping too far up the wrong tree, Geraldy or similar transporters will not stop the raptor problem, clashing or miscalculated controlling... these are issues the committee must be looking into and addressing before next season regardless of what style of transporter is chosen... A big problem that requires much research and not sorted at a quick meeting or AGM based on proposals from Fed's or fanciers who are only thinking about improving the chances of there area doing better at national racing, I personally couldn't care where we race from as long as it was an improvement, because this years racing has been shocking with most lofts wiped out, clearly evident when the SNFC can only scrape together 802 entries for its final event!