George Duncan by Sandy Milne of North of Scotland Federation

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George Duncan
Back in the Day
George first started keeping pigeons back in 1973 at the ripe old age of 13, his family were well
acquaint with the sport in fact Georges late father was in partnership with Georges uncle, this
partnership ceased to fly in the early 70s, George went on to join the Keith club and North
Federation in 1974 this has continued until last year when he decided to fly with Aberdeen
Federation in an attempt to push his birds further getting them ready to participate in the Scottish
National races however he has again joined the North Fed and has taken up the role of liberator
(there is no such thing as a free dinner in this Fed).
The first fully participated season was in 1979 and had the occasional success during the next three
or four years, it was about this time that his first business which entailed working some ridiculous
hours and his father took up the reins as far as racing etc was concerned well the change in
performances was there for all to see, from an occasional win the team went on to record having
three pigeons in the first four club places a remarkable change indeed. At this time widowhood was
none existence the birds racing to the loft but in fine condition as seen in the performances, George
went on to bask in the glory!!
However, life and time do not stand still and in 1986 George and Jacqueline tied the knot and
relocated to a house in grange which proved to be a better location for both couple and of course
the pigeons. About this time George had a light bulb moment and realised if he was going to
compete with the old man, he needed to up his game, the result being some enjoyable years were
to follow competing against each other, obviously George wanted to beat his father but if that was
not possible then he wanted his father to claim first prize.
Start of the Widowhood era.
After Georges father passed, he got the bug for widowhood racing having bought 4 birds from the
late great Frank Tasker, they were of the Haeltermans strain and one hen in particular although
quite a dull looking pigeon turned out to be the best stock hen he has ever had, at one time the
team of 8 widowhood cocks had 3 of her sons in it and they all performed impeccably, he could do
no wrong with them up to 360 miles. This however was their maximum; they just did not perform at
a greater distance which was a great pity. One particular cock 1407 recorded 13 firsts and 5 seconds,
he won the North Federation race from Hexham by 30 mins, his brother arrived 40 mins behind him
to record 6 th  fed, 1407 was also 3 rd  fed on two separate occasions being retired at four years old,
tragically a couple of years later a cat got into the loft not only killing 1407 but eight others of his
pigeon’s sorry day.
During the years George performance has fluctuated having had some very good seasons and some
iffy ones but his main satisfaction has always been derived from trying to find some exceptional
pigeons and getting the best from them although what he has classed as good pigeons have
amounted to about no more than 20 individuals in the last 50 years.
He has been fortunate enough to have won the North Of Scotland Bird of the year 3 times and had
the satisfaction of breeding a Bird of the year winner for Jackie Ritchie of Fraserburgh which he aptly
named “Duncans Rocket”, this hen topped the Fed in consecutive weeks as a yearling and went on
to win many fed tickets before Jackie gave her back to George when she was 5 years old, Duncans
Rocket was bred from a bird that had previously won bird of the year two years previously, this bird
was number 4515 which was another bred from the Haelterman family.
Another outstanding performer for George being number 7303 this pigeon recorded seven firsts also
bird of year which is a pied again bred from the haelterman. Sadly, this great pigeon passed away
just before Christmas at the grand old age of 20 this pigeon has topped the Federation from a
distance of 360 miles by 20 mins and bred another North of Scotland Bird of the Year George being
the only person to win it three times, another great performance.

George had always envied fanciers who could condition birds to fly 500 plus miles in race time
especially “across the channel”, Alencon was tried with a hen received from Albert Mathers and she
was a really “tough nut”, never laid an egg in her life but could mate with any hen George tried to
pair her with in no time, she was twice 2 nd  club hastings and was his only entry to France but she
returned to record 11th north section 188 th  open at a distance of 620 miles. However as so often
happens to our birds she was sent to a 240-mile race but alas did not return but unfortunately there
are a lot of obstacles in our pigeon’s return journeys.
About 8 or 9 years ago a stock hen was purchased from the Padfield family with the intention of
giving the distance another try, since the purchase a good friendship was struck with the brothers
which resulted in various visits to their lofts and accompanied by some friends which resulted in
some great nights during these trips.
Over the next few years a few birds were obtained from Dai and Vince but the original hen paired to
a Brian Sheppard cock resulted in a great foundation for the way forward, one of the offspring a red
cock topped the fed in the longest young bird race which was a distance of some 240 miles,
incidentally loft mates taking the next five club and Federation positions, this cock as a two-year-old
went on to record 3 rd North Section SNFC Ypres a distance of 520 miles.
Subsequently a sister of this red cock was mated to a dark cock, this cock being purchased from a
cancer charity sale the breeder being Davie McDougal of Peterhead out of his best distance stock.
The pairing produced a cock who was 3 rd  north sect 93 rd  open Maidstone 459 miles, (George
recorded 1 st  North Section 19 th  open also 5 th  North Section 163 rd  open with loft mates).
They are also grandparents to 1 st  federation 2 nd  North Section 73 rd  open young bird national (375
miles) in 2021, also 1 st  federation 3 rd  North Section young bird National 2022 (393 miles) both these
pigeons being bred from the same hen. George intends put young birds from this pair into our
forthcoming fed sale.
One of his most memorable/enjoyable performances was also at the distance this time from
Guernsey 560 miles in the National where his single entry was one of only 3 birds from 91 entered
who made it in race time recording 3 rd  North Section, a peregrine caught him early next year while
exercising round the loft, he was devastated as you can imagine!
As with most in the fancy raptors are a big problem in this location, last year there were 11 attacks
on his birds this being out of 22 which was the total number he had turned his team out for exercise
times he had them out flying round the loft prior to racing.
George is a great performer as far as the Scottish National is concerned for example over 8 National
Races the following was recorded one first, one second and five thirds, but last year was back to
earth with a bump.
Exercise
Exercise for the birds is pretty standard with cocks out in morning, he is not concerning how long
the cocks fly for as long as they are flapping their wings etc in fact he feels it is safer for them as
stated previous there are far too many raptors and it does not show any signs of improving in fact
the opposite. Young Birds are exercised late afternoon early evening for between 1 to 2 hrs time in
the air is very important to give the birds exercise etc. The first round of young birds is moved onto
the darkness the longer young bird races are preferred and gives greater enjoyment. Various
restrictions for example last year an outbreak of bird flu stopped clubs participating which resulted
in the Federation restriction on the distance covered.
Feeding
Old Birds :- Versele Laga breeding plus is used as it also seems to keep the old birds in good
condition while providing more than adequate sustenance for the young birds within the breeding
window.
During the racing season again Versele Laga is used this time it is the turn of the widowhood mix or
Super Star coupled with depurative are used in an effort to reduce the birds weight. Young birds are
fed yes you guessed it Versele Laga Junior however depurative is also used to reduce weight should
the YB put on to much weight with the skin turning a tad blue although George emphasised if you

get it right, darkness young birds can really be brought on for the yb National and hopefully this year
he can get them to participate in the new amalgamation race  and make a “pound or 750 lol”.
medicine or additives are kept to a minimum.
The Loft
This loft is Petron long and is 86ft in length and requires to be painted this year, there are four
sections each containing twelve nest boxes all equipped with cleaning belts. Also, three sections
with 150 perches again with cleaning belts and finally the last section has twenty-four next boxes
again with the cleaning belt installed.
Racing team consists of 48 and 12 stock pairs are housed, this has been reduced over the last few
years but it is my intension to increase this, certain set of circumstances have curtailed his
enjoyment of racing thus the reduction of the racing team but things look to be on the up for the
future.
When the family moved to the Grange, one of the conditions being that he did not move the old
sheds and a new loft was to be purchased. This loft was on display by Petron at the Blackpool show
with an additional 20ft being added when erected. In fact, the loft was erect just as the construction
of the house was commenced. George admits himself that he was a racing fanatic back then winning
28 of the 35 races entered and 2 nd in the ones he did not win but he is alright nowwwwwwww.
For George this hobby/competition is everything as it is what makes fanciers want to try harder.
Finally, George would like to wish “all the best to all in the north fed and roll on 2024 season”