Guest CS Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Greig Drysdale 1.How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves I got involved in pigeons in 1994 when a fancier moved into the house next door to my mum and dad. i help him from day 1 to build his loft and helped him in every way I could. He gave up the sport and I bought his house off him with the two huts so I got pigeons from an old guy who is dead now (god bless him) who was giving up due to ill health. 2.What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? I have a bit of everything in my loft just now because the birds I took over where all mixed. Bought a few jan aardens and beuchaerts in van reets. 3.When do you pair up? I pair up the end of December normaly but this year i hung off till the end of january (U will raed why in a minute) 4.What products and feed you use? I feed all my birds a mixture of buckstons widowhood widowhood red and widowhood super all mixed togeather. I also give peanuts when i remember. I leave black and read minerals mixed in the loft all the time pick pots and started useing crumbling blocks also now and again I give them linseed and oyster shell now and then also. 5.What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? I leave my old birds to pair up to who they want and fly natural. I train them from the hills which are 15 miles flying to me mon tues wed thurs untill the fed training starts then they get 2 tosses a week on tuesday and wednesday about 50 miles each day and then they get the open bowl every day from 0800hrs till about 2100hrs except a Saturday. I feed once a day about 1 1/2 oz per pigeon its a big Rice pudding tin i use per 15 birds. I give clean water Friday and saturday. The rest of the week i use aviform ultimate 7 in 1. 6.What motivation techniques do you use? All i use for treatment is paramixovirus before the racing starts and 7 in 1 unless they have somthing wrong with them then I will treat. 7.There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? I would like to intrduce a full team of jan aarden and beuchaerts and maybe cross bread them or leave them to there own kind. 8.If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? Last year racing was my first year racing myself which with the old birds I had no luck what so ever as the birds were all broken. I paired up december and had a team of 50 young birds which I won every race except the second I was 4th which was 74 miles. This year I have won 4 out of 6 with the old birds and been on the fed sheet every week apart from 1 so another realy good season so far. 9.Who would you go to to get the new blood? My dream would be to the Scottish Nation Flying Club from France then go on to get a gold award 10. Which club are u flying in? I fly in Pumpherston and District pigeon club which has 6 members and is in the Central Scotland Federation.
Guest CS Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Ken (friendsloft) 1.How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves I have always been around pigeons, my earliest memory is being abot 3yrs old sitting in my grandfathers loft, at the age of about 7yrs i started to keep pigeons of my own in the back garden shed these were mainly stray pigeons we caught in the local square with rings on, at 15 i joined cheadle flying club, in stockport, here the birds i flew were sions which were gift birds from a fancier in Liverpool, who i had reported a pigeon to, i picked up a few minor cards, at 21 i left the sport to get married and also be cause of work commitments meant i was away from home quite a lot. I rejoined the sport in 1995 where i jioned one of the local clubs with birds i had been gifted my local fanciers again picking up minor cards, here the biggest shock wqas finding just how much the sport had changed what with all the systems vacinnation medication etc i found my self have to learn the sport all over again 2.What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? the breeds i keep are Hybrects from A Inclodon of Oakvilla stud Widnes, Gabys, MeldertsXJanssens and soojtens from W & M Brown PGW lofts St Helens 3.When do you pair up? I pair up the second week of January 4.What products and feed you use? The only products i use are garlic,cider vinegar ,tee 5.What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? The system i use is the round about birds are broken down on return from a race and built up for the following race the corn i use is turlings here i find this mix as everthing they need, garlic, and cider vinegar in water, tee on sunday 6.What motivation techniques do you use? I use different methods to motivate the birds i find if u use the same one regualer the birds get used to it best to keep them on there toes, ive given them just pans, but a small mirror in individual boxs etc 7.There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? dont treat blindly, but what i do do during racing season is every 4 weeks the birds are cankered and coxi 8.If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? Go to a fancier in your area who is winning out of turn not just once but season after season, here i am lucky by being friends with W M Brown and Alan Incledon both bthese lofts win out of turn on a regular basis 9.Who would you go to to get the new blood? I have been knocking on the door past couple of seasons, but one sat this year 2007 i was 1st Burtonwood,1st Earsltown 1st east section 1st open merseyde federation,3rd county federation and 3rd two counties combine im still on clound nine with this result 10. What is your size of loft and size of team? My loft is 24ft long ihave 16 cocks 16hens and breed 36 youngsters 11. What is your dream to come true in the future? my dream is one year to win a national 12. which club or clubs do you fly in? The clubs i fly in are Burtonwood H,S, Earsltown F,C, Midlands National The photo is of my racing loft, and the pigeon is a Meldert x Jassen which won 1st club 1st east section 1st open Merseyside federation 2459 birds Ken the photo of the meldert
Guest CS Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Diamond dave from Northampton 1. How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves I started by trying to encourage my son -to keep him on the straight and narrow - but finished up looking after the birds myself. 2. What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? I keep Janssen van den Bosche and Ko nipius The JVDB have proved to be very good birds but I cannot say that about the Ko Nipius. I have also got a couple of very good SVR birds that have done exceptionally well. This year I have bought in the Ron Williamsons Buschaerts and I expect to oust the Ko nipius birds. I am also going to try some Van Hee that I have purchased. 3. When do you pair up? I have tried both early and late for widowhood cocks but have found late (beg. March) to be unsuccessful so will stick with early Jan for the w.hood birds. 4. What products and feed you use? I get my corn from the local Jolleys pet store who stock Bucktons products. 5. What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? Widowhood. Breaking them down on depurative. Clean water with cider vinegar every other day. 6. What motivation techniques do you use? Showing hens in different ways. Occasionally use a stock cock in one of the boxes. 7. There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? Cocci, worms and canker 2 weeks before breeding and 2 weeks before racing then the same 2 weeks before the major national races. 8. If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? I have just introduced some van hees into my stock - to be honest, this came about through a stray youngbird which I liked so much that I asked the owner to breed me some. 9. Who would you go to to get the new blood? An experienced fancier who has developed his own family of pigeons that is winning out of turn. 10. How did you do performances over the last 2,3yr period? I did very well on the North Road but have turned south the last couple of years which has not been anywhere near as successful, especially with North Road pigeons. 11. What is your size of loft and size of team? I start the year with 10 -12 W.Hood cocks and breed about 30 youngsters. I have 2 little stock sheds which have 4 pairs in each. 12. What is your dream to come true in the future? I would love to have a bird out of Pau or Barcelona or one of the Blue Riband race points. 13. Which club are u flying in? Northampton Town SRFC/ MNFC.
Guest CS Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Stephen Blackjack Holmes 1.How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves I have been involved with livestock from birth as a herdsmans son. I started racing 2.What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? We fly old english pigeons from proven distance families Dick Baldwin ,Ian Benstead,Fear Bros Pat King ETC. 3.When do you pair up? We pair between April 2nd /6th 4.What products and feed you use? <Feeding is varied thoughout the year ie breeding ,moulting and racing which again varies as i feed individually as i am only interested in long distance racing. 5.What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? We fly natural very natural open hole all year round. 6.What motivation techniques do you use? We fly to sitting eggs 9 to 18 days or to a squeaker it depends on the bird itself. We try different things. We send yearlings on sitting eggs or on youngsters never chasing and we do not send yearlings till mid may. 7.There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? We only jab and worm and put garlic in the water any birds which is ill a nd does not pick up is humanly culled. 8.If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? We look for natural flyers who do well in nationals over a number of years and must do well at 1200 and below at 600miles and arent full of anti biotics . We do not want corridor pigeons or sprinters or fancy pedigrees with lists of aristocratic names but no performances for 3 or 4 gens. 9.Who would you go to to get the new blood? to get pigeons at 500 plus at 1200 and below we have done it to 690mls and the feeling is like no other. 10. What is your dream to come true in the future? To see all my daughters happily married and with my wife to live a happy and healthy and long life.pigeons are only a hobby my family ALWAYS comes 1st. 11.Which club are u flying in? We fly in the BICC ,NFC and train with my club Carterton fc 36ml round trip away with no clock set
Guest CS Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Dave Barkel from Sunderland 1. How did you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves My partnership, Barkel Bros, started with youngsters in 1983. My Dad Sid, and my uncle Jack (the eyesign man) were the original Barkel Bros and flew together from being around 4-5 years of age. After my Uncle Jack emigrated to South Africa, my Dad went on his own, and despite flying well, eventually left the game in the 70's. It was my younger brothers Sid & Kevin who originally wanted to fly, so Dad financed them, and he eventually was forced into joining the partnership to fight union cases for us when we stopped from flying aged 13. We were stopped because we weren't checking tote double tickets in the club, yet you had to be 18 to get into the workmens club! Needless to say, at the union we won unanimously! (I, David, the prodigal son, was away following Sunderland all over the country and didn't properly come into the game until around 1986). We purchased a small unsuccessful loft, and introduced new pigeons immediately. We introduced Busschaerts from both Louella and Kavanagh Bros of Crook, and also Janssens from Bob Pickering of Ollerton, Albert Tarleton of Liverpool, and Louella again! All families produced club & Fed winners from the off. We then purchased another two small gardens around the loft we already owned, knocked everything down, levelled the gardens, and started to build the current loft. We started with good success in the club and Fed quite quickly, and by 1985, were top prizewinners in the club. By 1989 we were top prizewinners in the Fed, and in 1996, set records that still stand in the Fed today! 2. What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? The sprint to middle distance family is currently made up of a mixture of Wildemeersch, Busschaerts, Nachtegaeles, Soontjens, De Klaks, Lou Wouters, Grondelaers, Lambrechts, Janssens, & Muelemans / Van Den Bosche. The middle to long distance family is is currently made up of Barkers from the late great Dick Baldwin, De Weerdts from Geoff Cooper and Mark Gilbert, & Jos Thones both direct and from Brian Sheppard. The extreme long distance which we are just starting with, is made up of Jim Emerton Descamps Van Hasten based Stichelbauts & Jim Donaldson Scotland, Jan Aardens from Piet De Weerd & Patrick Bros, Hagen Bros, Bruggeman Bros, Chris Gordon Distance family, and finally Andre Van Bruaenes from Dr. Carlo Gyselbrecht, Graham Moss, Roy Gough, Frans Van Wildemeersch, and David Bacon. It sounds a lot I know, but we have only a few of each, with the exception of Jim Emertons birds where we inherited his entire family! 3. When do you pair up? Ideally, it's Boxing Day, but no later than the first week in January! 4. What products and feed you use? Racing Corn is Versele Laga, treatments are Chevita, De Weerd and Gyselbrecht! Distance birds are hopper fed Beans. 5. What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? Sprint to middle distance racing, widowhood. Light corn from race return, up to Tuesday, building up Tuesday night to Friday Dinner time. Water would be a detoxer upon race return, then clean water Sunday morning, Vitamins Monday to Thursday, clean water Thursday night onwards. Having said that, if we identify a bird that is sick, the vitamins would be replaced by a significant treatment for the ailment identfied. 6. What motivation techniques do you use? Standard widowhood methods / techniques. Nestpans and Hens shown just before basketing. For the long distance the birds will be put down on eggs. 7. There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? We treat only when an ailment is identified. When identified, we then treat the whole team to ensure the issue is eradicated. If a holdover has occured, we treat for cocci and canker regardless. 8. If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? I would look for the best performing fanciers at the distance I was interested in. I would read up about them, then make an appointment to visit them to see for myself if the birds were what I wanted, and if they were good value for money. I would target latebreds for stock from his best stock birds, as early bred birds he would want for himself. Other than that, my introductions would come from close trustworthy friends. 9. Who would you go to to get the new blood? As per the previous question, the best performing fanciers at the distance I was interested in. Whether they be in the UK, Holland, Belgium, Germany, wherever! If you want the best you must go to the best! I know that the big studs like Masseralla's have their critics, but they buy the best birds on the planet for exhorbitant prices, and allow the working man to gain these illustrious bloodlines at working mans prices! If you want direct offspring of a particular champion then you have to pay serious money. People shouldn't grumble about that, Massarella's didn't grumble when they were forking out their multi-thousands of pounds to purchase the champions and ace breeders! He started off a normal working man, an ice cream man I believe, and built up his business to gelateria's all over the place. He seen an opening in the market in the pigeon game, and took a chance. It paid off for him, now I believe he's as big a name in horses as he is in the pigeon game! Good luck to the Masserella's I say, making a living out of the game they love, much respect and admiration for their acheivements! 10. How did you do performances over the last 2,3yr period? Set a young bird record 2 seasons ago, and had managed to top the section 8th UNC Clermont / Beauvais. A relatively quiet old bird season last year by our standards, were flying OK up until the Brooklands race where we got wiped out! This year 2007, the fire has taken care of the old bird season. We have sent the remnants but without making any excuses, it basically wasn't to be! We are currently looking forward to the coming young bird season. We start our comeback from there! 11. What is your size of loft and size of team? Sprint team is 36 widowhood cocks. Middle to long distance team will be 12 pair on roundabout. Extreme Long Distance team will be 24 pair on roundabout. 80 Darkness youngsters, 60 natural (channel bred youngsters). 12. What is your dream to come true in the future? To live a long and happy life enjoying my birds and my family, all of us together, for as long as possible. To see Sunderland AFC become a major force in football, to see England win the World Cup, and to be able to play my guitar well !!! Lets just say the last one is currently a definate dream!! Inside the game, overall I would like to see the sport grow and become healthy again, and I would like to see an end to unsportsmanlike conduct. In the game my dreams personally, will be to become a top all-round flier and I would love to top the UNC, have been close a few times - 2 x 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, etc! 13. Which club are u flying in? We compete in two clubs, namely Ryhope Progressive HS in Sunderland Premier Fed, and Silksworth HS in North East Counties Fed. We are members of all of the Championship Clubs, Tyne & Wear CC, NECC, aswell as the Blackhall 2BSC, and the North East 2 bird Specialist Club. We are also members of the National Flying Club, (my brother Sid is the NFC secretary) and once established with a distance team, we intend to compete in the extreme long distance races. We intend to join the North East Greater Distance Club also.
Guest CS Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Dennis Kuhn from the U.S www.whiteracers.com 1. How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves I always liked animals and was naturally drawn to raving pigeons after seeing a film about them when I was a kid. I've had pigeons for over half my life and still get enjoyment out of the birds today like I did back when I first started. 2. What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? My origin of stock mainly came from other pigoen fancier friends, and I slowly built up my own families of birds that I based on color, while at the same time performance (Whiteracer, Black Knight, Barless Baron, and most recently Zippy Reds). 3. When do you pair up? I start to pair my birds up about the middle of December to the first part of January. 4. What products and feed you use? I mix my own feed which is corn, wheat, milo, black sunflower, and roasted soy beans or trapper peas. I have found that by mixing it myself, it is cheaper than buying it already mixed. 5. What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? I fly old birds natural. They may be racing to eggs or youngsters and each week I decide which birds wil be shipped based on the previous week's performance as well as how they handle the night of shipping. 6. What motivation techniques do you use? Motivation for old birds is the nest position and their mate. I have flown this way since I started and it has worked well for me. 7. There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? I will run sulmet in the water occasionally as a preventive measure for coccidiosis. I also use red cell or go-max(a horse supplement which is a substitute for red cell) once a week in the water to help replenish vitamins for the birds especially during breeding season. Other than that and vaccinating for PMV, I use medication only as needed. I feel that the bird's should have natural health and by running medication constantly in thier system, it does more harm than good. All one needs to do is look at wild pigeons and how healthy they are with no medication and living under less than desirable conditions than our racers. If a bird shows any sickness, it is immediatley isolated and either eliminated or medicated accordingly with a certain time frame to recover or disposed of. 8. If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? If I introduce new blood, I try a couple of crosses and see how they do. If they don't do better than my existing family of birds, the birds introduced as well as the offspring are ALL eliminated. I give new blood at least two years to show something through the offspring and only introduce stock with proven performance behind them. 9. Who would you go to to get the new blood? There is no particular individual I'd go to, just particular birds that pocess teh qualities that i am looking for like performance/color. 10. How did you do performances over the last 2,3yr period? 1st Average Speed/Champion Bird 03' & 04' old birds in my club 3rd Average Speed 05' & 06' club 1st 200M 186 birds club last week with a solid white and 2nd Combine verse 450 birds 11. What is your size of loft and size of team? Old bird race team is about 50 birds total, youngbirds is about 75 birds (haven't raced youngbirds the last two seasons due to work, just trained them). I have numerous pigeon lofts with each family of racers separated by sections in order to keep my different colored families from crossing. racing loft for youngbirds is 8' X 20' and old bird racing loft is the same. 12. What is your dream to come true in the future? Win either the State Race or Midwest Race with a solid white (these are the biggest races that I fly in my area verse 1,000-5,000 birds). 13. Which club are u flying in? I currently race with the Gopher State Racer Club (GSR) which is one of the largest in the state of Minnesota. I am also for the first time flying with a couple other top racers each week with the Heartland Federation which consist of five clubs that are spread out between Minnesota and Wisconsin. Each week my team is split flying in my club/Heartland Federation and anywhere between two-four races ranging from 100-500 miles.
Guest CS Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Jack Barkel from South Africa http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jackbarkel/ These are our lofts in South Africa. We house several strains of which all are kept separate and distinct from one another by breeding to perfect line of descent. They are Andre van Bruaene, Busschaert, Chocolate Meuleman, Indigo Janssen, Two South African strains are Slimme,& Barkel's Lemon. We have not raced since 1997 as the demand for our pigeons and our services are so great, we found we could not do justice anymore to a racing team. All birds for breeding purposes must fit certain physical and genetic characteristics, which keeps our breeding reputation on a constant high. Jack Barkel
Guest CS Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Ian and Liz Purver from Skinningrove. Up North Combine 1.How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves I Ian started keeping birds for a hobby in 1980 I applied to Join Skinningrove H.S in 1983 and raced that year. Me and Liz have raced in Partnership since 2005. 2.What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? We keep at present mostly Gaby Vandenabeeles which we have had since 1999 from M + D Evans Whitley Bridge. 3.When do you pair up? I used to always pair up boxing day but last 3 seasons have paired 2nd week in January 4.What products and feed you use? We use Ronfried products for racing i.e. Blitzform, Gervit W and Mumm. For breeding we think there is nothing like Gemthepax in winter months Cider Vinegar + Garlic Juice The 2 corns we use are Beyers + Versele-Laga 5.What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? We fly both cocks + Hens on a Roundabout system We feed both cocks + hens same we never break em down. They get a seed mixture on a morning + corn on a night regarding watering system see question 4. but always clear water day of basketting. 6.What motivation techniques do you use? We do different things for motivation such as just letting cocks go into bowls sometimes show hens others don't put another cock in the parting leave the one it belongs to on the outside do same with hen's 7.There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? We always get our birds tested before pairing then if needed treat if not leave alone, we treat for Canker 1 week before eggs hatch then we get birds tested 3 weeks before racing starts. We treat for Canker every 3 weeks for 2 days when racing. If birds have been held over we give a mixture of Cocci + Canker for 2 days. 8.If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? We have been going back to M + D Evans over the years. But if we were wanting another breed we would study books + write ups on the lofts that had em then make enquries redarding how many seasons they have done. Well, also the birdage they are flying against and how strong the compition is then we would want to go and have a look and handle the birds before buying 9.Who would you go to to get the new blood? See Answer 8. 10.How did you do performances over the last 2,3yr period? We have had some good results we will just give you our combine position to date. 3rd UNC 24,199 BIRDS FOLKESTONE 8TH UNC 20,721 BIRDS NORTH WEALD 9TH UNC 24,199 BIRDS FOLKESTONE 20TH UNC 17,234 BIRDS FOLKESTONE 24TH UNC 13,804 BIRDS LILLERS 44TH UNC 17,234 BIRDS FOLKESTONE 46TH UNC 20,721 BIRDS NORTH WEALD 54TH UNC 14,753 BIRDS MAIDSTONE 62ND UNC 29,005 BIRDS BROOKLANDS 64TH UNC NEHU + DC 31,328 BIRDS BROOKLANDS 93RD UNC 24,692 BIRDS FOLKESTONE 126TH UNC 20,721 BIRDS NORTH WEALD ALSO BRED 1ST UNC 14,701 BIRDS MAIDSTONE 2005. 11.What is your size of loft and size of team? Our loft is 36ft x 8ft that includes 8ft x 8ft stock loft 12. What is your dream to come true in the future? Me + Liz wish our health does not deteriate to much as we both suffer a lot and to top the U.N.C again would be great.
Guest CS Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Dave Buttle from Newton Aycliffe 1.How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves Dads been racing pigeons since being a lad (and my uncle) stopped for quite a few years, then restarted about 25 years ago. I took up this sport about 2 years ago in partnership with my dad as he had a heart attack, then last year had a triple bypass. Now back on the road to a full recovery. 2.What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? brasspennings, janseens and home breed mix. 3.When do you pair up? normally boxing day, but this year we went a 2 weeks earlier, just to breed more. 4.What products and feed you use? Shop own mix brand, however just trying some new Gem mixes. red grit, black grit, hemp, peanuts now and again as a treat. 5.What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? Own type of widowhood / natural depends what we have, this year we have more hens. Light feed in the morning slightly more on an evening. Garlic in water on a regular basis. Electrolites in water after racing. 6.What motivation techniques do you use? a big stick!! no we are trying widowhood at the moment, just cannot seem to get them motivated fully just yet, but that shows in no results. Again due to dads health and me working long hours 7.There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? Never had too many health problems, treat as and when if needed. Garlic seems to do a lot. 8.If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? Just introduced some new stock this last year and have YBS in training. I looked for the best value that i could afford and the lofts history i got them from. Got 2 YBS (busharts) from Paulo wil see how they go. Got some De Klaks and some different Janseens. 9.Who would you go to to get the new blood? Again best value and performance of breeders? Just got a Van winkel from our Last years overall club winner, for the past 2 years. 10.How did you do performances over the last 2,3yr period? Nothing not even a decent result but i have good homers, only lost a few in the past 2 years (mainly YBS that get lost) Just need some speed now. 11.What is your size of loft and size of team? Loft is L shaped about 40 ft (2 stock sections) (1 section for hens) (1 section for cocks) and (1 section for YBS) Will be modifiying this year. 6 stock pairs, 20 hens, 14 cocks, 38 YBS (most we have ever bred due to new stock) 12. What is your dream to come true in the future? A win even just a club level, then a fed win would be nice ! I have plenty of time. (a Win on the lottery wouldnt go a miss) 13.Which club are u flying in? Newton Aycliffe Part of the Mid Durham South Fed.
Guest CS Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 paddymac from N.Ireland 1.How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves I don't really know how it started, but I always had an interest in pigeons. No-one related to me ever kept them so it was just self interest I suppose. I started by catching the local ferals and it progressed from there. I have been involved with pigeons from the age of 9 or 10 and I am now 45. 2.What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? All my stock birds are distance related. I have several breeds in the stock loft. Delbars from Axeholme lofts, Jan Aardens from Louella, Kirkpatricks from A. Rae in Scotland and an old Irish breed, T.Harper of Ballymena. 3.When do you pair up? Normally I will pair all my birds including stock around the first weekend in March. 4.What products and feed you use? I have just started to use Mariman feeds as I saw it at the Blackpool show and thought it was a good mixture, ( Petit French UK Special ). I also use Bucktons Irish Ruby Mix. My birds also have Aviform in the drinker twice per week, Hormoform every other day and a smallpot of Matrix everyday. 5.What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? I have no set method when flying the birds other than to have them on open hole as much as I can and to maintain a healthy environment within the loft. 6.What motivation techniques do you use? The only technique that I use when sending my birds to a race is to try and have them sitting in the preferred nesting condition, ie eggs, ybs etc. 7.There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? I treat the birds at the start of the season for the usual, cocci, canker, & worms, other than that I would only treat again if something arose and needed attention. 8.If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? I would normally look for a good breeding hen that has already proven herself in the stock loft. 9.Who would you go to to get the new blood? It wouldn't really bother where I would have to go as long as I got what I was looking for. 10.How did you do performances over the last 2,3yr period? Unfortunately I havn't raced the birds over the past 2 years due to a family member being ill and the birds took a back seat. In the 2005 season I was never out of the top ten in the club result and winning 3 races respectively. The ultimate being, winning Penzance 347miles and finishing 2nd fed. 11.What is your size of loft and size of team? I have a 24ft x6ft loft which houses the race team and stock birds (60 birds). The yb loft is 8ft x 5ft and usally houses around 35ybs. 12. What is your dream to come true in the future? I would love to time a pigeon from France (500+mls) which is my ultimate goal. But my dream is to be happy & healthy and enjoy my birds and family.
Guest CS Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Jimmy White from Scotland 1. How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves i have had pigeons all my life, i am 6? now , my father kept them b4 me, i first joined millerhill rpc in 1955 where there were 50 odd members ,we raced as j white and son [me being the son] my father instigated the start of gilmerton h,c, where we were founder members. we started the club off with 42 members ,my first race was longtown 62 miles where i was 13th[ sadly my father died at the young age of 50] , i raced in that club untill 2000 then became suspended [due to a crime i never committed [i lost my house my wife to be,my lofts ,in fact eveything i owned]since then after various appeals ,still ongoing, i have kept a few of my old favourites in a 8 by 6 loft and aviary,,managed to buy a mobile home and got permission to keep them , i have since bred ,well over a hundred birds and given away free of charge to help members out.i have also been responsible for many fanciers winning, which has kept me going, in my time in racing i have won very well indeed including ob ave 12 years in succession,[apart from clock stopping] average birdage 500 in club won supreme ave in fed and won national trophy for first bird in to scotland flying over 600 miles i have won all the trophies in club numrous times,top trophies in fed and nationals, my best year was winning 13 out of a possible 17 races in club again ave 500 birds , i also won the combine sartilly 505 miles and 2cnd snfc nantes national among other national prizes , i still ,today, hold the record winning the most money out the club and the most money out mid lothian fed having 12birds on the open fed result fom dorchestor 360 miles out of 18sent. many good results over many years 2. What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? most of the stock i raced were of the old scottish distance bloodlines,these were for the distance , i raced mostly wildemeersch and crosses for inland [scored at national level with these too 3. When do you pair up? i paired up w,hood cocks in feb , nat birds in april 4. What products and feed you use? difficult question, i found that certain birds needed more ,,or less than others , this was down to observation, but mainly a high carboheydrate feed for inland and a higher protein feed for distance [i found the feeding very important] all had fresh grit minerals and pickstones, i used pigeon tea with added sugar [found it took the bitterness away and they drank it freely]on a sunday, vitamins in the water on wed ,,,allways plain water on friday used garlic in the water in between ,,,w,hood cocks had depurative , yeast and lemon juice sat sun mon half and half yues [w hood mix] but all this depended on the type of race. 5. What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? as mentioned above, i raced w,hood and natural darkness ybs and natural ybs 6. What motivation techniques do you use? i found that every pigeon is an iindividual, and would be motivated on what suited them ,again observation 7. There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? there were yrears where i didnt treat for anything, but the loft was cleaned twice a day ,and was bone dry, if i felt there was something lacking , i would have their droppings tested , and treat accordingly 8. If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? i wouldnt be able to race now, due to disablement[ not competatively],but if i were , i wouldnt hesitate and buy birds from wooff bros and son[charlie wooff] of new ollerton or ,and, his brother les in staindrop,for races up to 360 miles ,for the distance i would go for someone winning well with the old scottish blood ,some of sir colins bloodlines are winning at nat level now, 9. Who would you go to to get the new blood? as above , these members have been at the top for over 30 years and still regularly topping the fed with 5,6000 birds 10. How did you do performances over the last 2,3yr period? never raced since 2000, but been responsible for a good few fanciers winning 11. What is your size of loft and size of team? i only have an 8 by 6 stock loft with an 8 by 6 aviary , all birds fly out now 12. What is your dream to come true in the future? i bred the sire of the nfc winner in cornwall for mr mrs wilson when they won the car , my dream would be something like this to happen again , especialy to a relatively novice to the sport, 13. Which club are u flying in? i flew in the strong gilmerton homing club ,when i raced ,,,at that time in 2000 there was 35 members, sadly today that is down to about 12. Jimmy and his dad at presentation 1958 one of the many charities ive helped My young mate [now 18 ] who won this trophy for helping me , i managed to get him a holiday of a lifetime to a very rich german fanciers family.mr maar [through the bhw] he was 12 at the time and was the oldestof 5 brothers with no father My last lofts , which included a stock loft inside a garage,with a 22 ft aviary 12 ft high Sir Colin ,, someone broke in to loft and broke his wing after winning 2nd national
Guest CS Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Gordon Chalmers from Canada 1. How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves My father had racing pigeons before me, so I fell into the sport naturally. Regretably our economic situation was not good at that time, so for a number of years, racing was limited. 2. What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? I have an old line of distance Janssens developed by a good fancier named Tom Spring (he produced this family with the introduction of a small Dordin for the distance). I also have a few Janssen-van Loons that have also flown well. 3.When do you pair up? Because of our colder winter weather (temperatures sometimes down to minus 40 degrees Celsius!), I usually have to wait until after February 1st each year, often closer to March 1st. 4. What products and feed you use? Grains are grown and readily available on the dry plains of western Canada where I live. I buy a variety [maize, wheat, safflower, hemp, green peas, flax, canola (rapeseed), oat groats, lentils, small seeds] and mix my own breeding and racing rations. 5. What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? For years I flew successfuly on the north road to 560 miles on the natural system, but now use double widowhood on the east road. 6. What motivation techniques do you use? The motivation of widowhood - jealousy among the hens; opening a previously closed nestbox for the cocks; leaving one cock that doesn't have a nestbox, on the floor to keep those that have nest boxes on their toes, etc.. 7.There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? Because of our dry climate, I hardly ever have to treat for anything. I no longer treat routinely for canker or anything else, preferring to let natural immunity develop instead. I just don't believe in most routine treatments. I have only the odd youngster develop canker, and sometimes a tiny lump is seen in the mouth of a stressed race bird. Except for the odd one-eyed cold, there is seldom any respiratory disease here, and because of our dry climate, worms and coccidia are very rarely a problem. When worms and coccidia are found, they are usually in birds brought in from damper areas. 8. If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? Fairly recently I've obtained some Vandenabeeles directly from Mark Evans of Myrtle Lofts in the UK + some from John Marles, a friend who is in partnership with Mark Evans here in Canada, to supplement the other families mentioned. In the past 18 months, I've also introduced a few birds of the De Meulemeester family (of Holland) from a friend in another city, for distance racing, as our course is often a tough headwind course, flying from east to west. 9. Who would you go to to get the new blood? I'd go to someone who races in a geographical area similar to my own where it is dry and headwinds are also common. I'd definitely avoid birds that have flown for years on the "blow-home" courses. 10. How did you do performances over the last 2,3yr period? With the recent introductions comes a "teething period", so I'm just in the midst of sorting out the new birds I 've introduced - which means variable results, some quite good, some not so good, likely my fault alone rather than the birds' fault. 11. What is your size of loft and size of team? Loft is 8 feet x 24 feet, divided into 5 compartments, with stock birds in another loft. OB race team - about 20 birds currently + 35 youngsters. 12. What is your dream to come true in the future? To top our combine from any distance (done once already from short distance) but more particularly in those races from 300 - 450 miles. Hard to do!
Guest CS Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 dark_chequer from Wales. 1. How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves looked after birds whilst looking after my dad he was dying at home with cancer. he made me promise to race them for 1 year after after his death. that was in 2004. my brother races to 2. What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? s v reets 3. When do you pair up? this year was dec 30. 4. What products and feed you use? natural= breeding, widdy y/b. naturaline,nuturavit+,garlic,brewer yeast 5. What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? sunday am- wedn am lo-pro wedn pm ffri am widdowhood maxi, naturaline x twice a week, naturavit+ 1 x week electrolit on return from race. 6. What motivation techniques do you use? im flying natural, they are flying back to dummy eggs 7. There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? to be honest i only treated when there was a problem. this is about to change as i was given advice today. 8. If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? im told use older hen to young cock 9. Who would you go to to get the new blood? a friend who has jennsons 10. How did you do performances over the last 2,3yr period? 2005 my brother beat me by 1 point for yb trophey. old bird somtimes win as i said im newish 11. What is your size of loft and size of team? old part 18ftx8ft new part 14ftx8ft L shaped 12. What is your dream to come true in the future? this year to win y/b trophey . next year old and y/b trophey. and to be taken seriously by ALL the men down here. strange its the younger blokes who are the problem
Guest CS Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 Dennis Weinreich (Hawkbait lofts) from the U.S http://dennisweinreich.tripod.com/ 1.How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves i got involved with pigeons, when i was about 7 years of age...my brother and i would find them in barns in the country, and in town on the tall buildings..i have had pigeons since that time...i got into racing pigeons when i got out of the us. navy in 1967.. 2.What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? i keep a family of birds, i call "the blue demons", which is a combination of different old world strains, and some of the newer families of racing pigeons...the strains, are devriendt,delbar, fabry, bekaert,vandervelde, stichelbaut, jan aarden,and three familes of janssen strain birds.....these birds are an inbred/line bred family...i also keep some sprint strains, such as mulemans, houbens, staff van reets and vanloons.. 3.When do you pair up? this year, i paired up right after thanksgiving, because i needed to raise extra pigeons for 18 4-h junior member, in a club about 40 miles north of me...but usually i mate my birds up here in california, around the first of February of each year. 4.What products and feed you use? for breeding i use a 17% pigeon feed, which contains,popcorn, milo, wheat, maple peas, canadian peas, austrian peas,safflower,and rice.....my racing feed is a 15% pigeon mix, containing whole hybrid corn,maple peas,austrian peas, trapper peas, safflower, flax,and black sunflower seeds.... 5.What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? i use the double widowhood system during old bird races....i usually fly the cocks to 400 miles, and the hens from 400 to 600 miles, on this system. 6.What motivation techniques do you use? i worm the birds, and treat for cocci and canker a few weeks prior to the first race.. 7.There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? while racing, i give the birds, a good vitamin/mineral supplement, once per week, apple cider vinegar once per week,a good probiotic once per week, and garlic in the water once per week....each of these supplements helps to insure maximum health in the individual birds while they are competing.. 8.If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? i also use a feeding method, i call carbo loading for races up to 350 miles...(you can find info about this method on my hawkbait usa web site, under young bird feeding )at http://dennisweinreich.tripod.com/ 9.Who would you go to to get the new blood? when i introduce new blood into my family, i usually only bring in hens........from a winning family of pigeons..i always keep my sire side the same.......and to purchase a pigeon to cross into my family, i always go to a fancier that is winning in his or her area. and buy from there winningest flyers.. 10.How did you do performances over the last 2,3yr period? i havent flown my own birds the last 3 years because of throat cancer, but have flown with another flyers birds at his loft, and have had great luck using my training and feeding methods... 11.What is your size of loft and size of team? for old bird flying a team of 20 widowhood cocks and 20 widow hood hens is sufficient..my old bird flying loft is about 6 ft by 12 ft.or 72 sq ft...i like to have 2 sq. ft per bird 12. What is your dream to come true in the future? my future dream is to become a mentor to new young flyers, as well as winning a few races myself 13.Which club are u flying in? i fly with the "pigeons of paradise", racing pigeon club, in chico, california,which is in the northern part of california. we are an american racing pigeon union affliated club...
Guest CS Posted June 10, 2007 Report Posted June 10, 2007 W & M Brown Of St Helens W & M Brown of St Helens Loft Report I Have known Bill & Mark for a number of years and it is with pleasure that i do this report. Bill as kept pigeons for most of his life, and one of his first memories is of his mother bringing two birds home for him in her shopping bag from a local fancier, so it was expected that he would come into the racing game. He flew in Earlstown F,C in 1975. The partnership of W Brown and Son ( Mark ) was formed and they won their very first young bird race, but that just proved to be a false start, as Bill says they won nothing else that year. Their first real success came in 1996 when they finished highest prize winners in Earlstwon F,C . Bill and Mark now fly in the strong Burtonwood club which is affilated to the Merseyside Federation, Earstown F,C, which is affilated to the County Federation and the Two Counties Combine. 1998 was a season that brought them to the fore front of pigeon racing 5 x 1st Merseyside Federation, making them the highest prizewinners in the above organisation. The season kicked off on April 4th Ludlow where they finished 8th,9th,10th club, little did they know what was to happen. They were :- 1st merseyside Federation Cheltenham 2383 birds, 1st Merseyside Federation Yeovil 2306 birds 1st Merseysde Feration Weymouth 1805 birds. 1st,2nd,3rd,4th Merseyside Federation Cheltenham 1482 birds. 1st Merseyside federation Ludlow Y/B 1873 birds,2nd Merseyside FederationWeymouth 2247 birds ,3rd Merseyside Federation Mangotsfield 2468 birds , 3rd Merseyside Federation Cheltenham 2586 birds. The old bird land averages o9f Merseyside Federation and bird of the year Merseyside Federationin1998, they also took many other posistions within the federation top 20 ,plus on top of this aprox £1,200 in speacialist racing you could say they had a terrific season. The birds they housed in 1998 were Staf Van Reets from Lezah Lofts ( Dave Hazel ) Tranquillity Lofts ( Mr & Mrs Tony mardon ) Dean Pallet, Roy Torkington Bell brother Janssenswhich are from A Incledon of Oakviila Lofts. Lefre Dhaenens which came through local fanciers Herd & Kenyon. Some of the stars were :- Double 0 a cheq van reet cock which had 5 x 1st including 2 x1st fed, 1 x 2nd fed and Mersyside bird of the year. Unlucky a schailie Janssen cock which as 7 x 1st and 14 x 2nds. Big Mick cheq oied cock Lefebre Dhaenens with 6x 1st. Over the next couple of seasons they won their fair share of prize winners. in 2004 the young birds won all averages, 3 x 1st, 2 x 2nd Merseyside federation from 9 young bird races. But in 2005 a new beginning was the formation of PGW Stud, The birds to be housed were Janssens - Bertus timmer ( Direct ) Via Oakvilla Stud, hartog via Spinola Lofts, Gaby vandeneabeele, P,J,Lofts ( First pair were bought as a birthday present for Mark of his partner Clare ) M,D,evans bloodlines from various sources, Staf Van Reets via Tommy Whitehead ( Preston ), and the Meldert & Soontjens via Foxwood Lofts. The formation of the stud was confirmed following the breeding of 1st Northwest Classic £10K Furturity winner for Harrison & Hull. They said that they agrred firstly thatthis family which we had brought inhad potential must continue to prove them selfs on the road for a further season before an advert would be placed in the BHW, and other members would be able to share in our success, This was slightley delayed following the relocation of Mark down south due to work commitments, the stock loft also relocated and will be based with Mark in Hungerford, where he will also formulate a race team to commence to race with young birds in the 2007 season, with Billy continuing to successfully race in the above organisations. The Stud would now be known as PGW North & South. 2006 was outstanding with this family of pigeons taking 30 x 1st resulting in being highest prize winners in Burtonwood H,S Earlstwon F,C & Earlstwon Midweek club. Burtonwood H,S ( Av 200 brds ) 6 x 1st, 5 x 2nds, 3 x 3rd 1 x 4th, 4 x 5th 4 x 6th. Merseyside Federation ( Av 1900brds ) 3 x 1st, 2 x 2nd, 1 x 3rd, 3 x 4th, 4 x 5th 4 x 6th Earslstown F,C, (av 150 brds ) 6 x 1st, 6 x 2nd, 3 x 3rd, 3 x 4th 4 x 5th, 4 x 6th County Federation ( av 1000 brds ) 3 x1st 1 x 2nd, 3 x3rd 1 x 4th, 2 x 5th, 1 x 6th. Two Counties Combine ( av 2000 brds ) 3 x 1st, 1 x 2nd, 1 x 3rd, 1 x 4th, 1 x 5th Three Counties Combine ( av4000 brds ) 1 x 2nd Earlstown Midweek club ( av 125 brds ) 5 x 1st 2 x 2nd 5 x 3rd 3 x 4th 2 x 5th 3 x 6th Earlstwon Midweek 5 bird club ( 4 races only ) 2 x 1st, 2 x 2nd, 2 x 3rd 2 x 4th, 4 x 5th Northwest Classic Club ( Section C ) 2 x 1st, 1 x 2nd, 1 x 4th. Just a couple of outstanding preformers in 2006 : - "33" Cock 1st club, 1st county fed, 1st two counties combine mangotsfield, 1st club,1st county fed 1st two counties combine 2nd three counties combine Fourgeres, now retired to stock, and is sire of three x individual winners including Fed level and G/Sire of 2 x 1st Combine winners. "08" Hen 1st club 1st county fed,1st two counties combine Yeovil 06 1st club, 1st county fed, 1st two counties combine Cheltenham 07 2007 season 12 x 1st prizes todate ( after only 8 weeks of racing ) Burtonwood H,S, (av 250 brds ) 2 x 1st 1 x 2nd 1 x 4th 1 x 5th 1 x 6th Merseyside federation ( Av 2500 brds ) 1 x1st, 1 x 2nd 1 x 5th Earlstown F,C, (av 200brds ) 3 x 1st 2 x 2nd 2 x 3rd 3 x 4th 3 x 5th 1 x6th County Federation ( av 1000brds ) 3 x 1st 1 x 3rd Two Counties Combine ( av 2000 brds ) 1 x 1st 2 x 2nd 1 x 3rd Earlstown Midweek club 2 x 1st 3 x 2nd 2 x 3rd 1 x 4th 1 x 5th 2 x 6th Also in 2007 novis ken Owen achieved the following fantastic results with PGW North & South Stud Bloodlines :- 1st club 1st Merseyside Federation, 1st club, 3rd County federation, 3rd Two conties Combine. A couple more star preformers :- "67" Cock 1st club 1st fed & 1st club 2nd fed 2007 "70" hen winner of 6 x 1st prizes in 04/05/06/07 "71" Cock winner of 11 x 2nd prizes in club, 4 x 2nd prizes in fed & ! x 2nd prize in combine. The Loft set up is 48 ft long L shaped this is the race loft split into 5 sections 2 for cocks 1 for hens and 2 for young birds, each of the cock section hold 12 widowhood cocks with 24 hens in the 3rd section, and they breed 50-60 young birds to race. The widowhood cocks are trained for two weeks prior to the first race, after that they are given just loft excercise, unless the feel they need to give them a livener. The feeding is the normal widowhood broken down with dupurative and built up as the wek progresses with Teurling widowhood mix, in the water they use :- Sat return from race Electrolites/ tee sun adherb mon clean water, tue adherb, wed aviform, thur multivits fri cleanwater The Birds are are excercised in the morning at first light, Then at 1300hrs by Bills Wife Pat who then feeds them in for the day. Bill says Pat as now become a very important part of the set up ,now that Mark is down south, and without her would find it very difficult to achieve what they have dione. The 50-60 young burds are raced on the darkness system, Here Pat lets them out mid morning for excerciise ,while the birds are out Pat cleans the lofts then feeds them in. Training of the young birds start about 26th june first being at 5 mile working upto 30miles. training is carried out first thing in a morning, being at the liberation point between 05.45-06.00hrs, they find it easier to do this system because after working all day the last thing the want to do is go down the road sitting in rush hour trafic. The stock loft is located with Mark down in Hungerford and house the 12 pair of stock birds, Mark will also have a racing loft where the birds will be flying in the Wantage Club and BICC with young birds in 2007. As For Medication the pigeons are only wormed,cankered and Coxid and vacinated for pmv, they do not treat blindley but seek medical help if needed. Members watch out for the advert for 2008 of this new " up and comming Racing & Breeding Stud" PGW lofts North and South " You wont be dissappointed Loft Report by Ken Owen PGW North & South Stud stock loft Hungerford PGW North & South Stud stock loft Hungerford
Guest CS Posted June 11, 2007 Report Posted June 11, 2007 sapper756 from Scotland... 1. How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves I helped my father back in 1993, then I was hooked and eager to have my own loft and birds. So I bought a 12x6ft loft and purchased 6 birds from John Crowder, then there was no going back. 2. What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? I keep the following bloodlines; Buschaerts,Janssens,VanHees, and JanArdens. 3. When do you pair up? Usually pair the roundabout team up on return from The BlackpoolShow in late January, as for my naturals they are paired lat February early March time. 4. What products and feed you use? I always feed Versalaga, super widowhood for the roundabouts, abaest all round for the naturals, and Junior UK for the youngsters. 5. What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? I fly 2 seperate systems,1.Roundabout, which are broken down and the feed built up during the week to suit the forthcoming race. 2. Natural. I hopper feed twice a day. For all birds I put garlic in the water on a Tuesday. 6. What motivation techniques do you use? Show the hens on a Friday night. or a certain nest condition for an individual bird. 7. There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? I use a 3in 1 product for cocci,canker and mucus, also treat for worms, all prior to pairing up. Every 3 weeks I add 3in1 to the water on return from the race. 8. If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? By studying form of local fanciers and approaching them for youngsters for stock purposes, and hopefully breed winners. 9. Who would you go to to get the new blood? As said previously to the fancier who is currently winning. 10. How did you do performances over the last 2,3yr period? Very good, however last year was poor, why I don,t know. however this year has started good, scoring in the club and federation. 11. What is your size of loft and size of team? I have 2 lofts 12x6 and a young bird loft 9x6 with a 9x6 aviary which is atached to both the young bird loft and the stock loft. 12. What is your dream to come true in the future? Obviously to win Scottisn National Race from over the chanel. 13. Which club are u flying in? I fly with Leven Homing Society in the Fife Federation in Scotland -GOOD LUCK TO ONE AND ALL, AND ENJOY THE SPORT ------
stevebelbin Posted June 12, 2007 Report Posted June 12, 2007 Loft Report as requested by Craig Speight. 1. How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves Im Stephen Belbin, 28 year old and fly in Thornaby HS (Teesside), I got started in the sport in 1996. I had zebra finches in an aviary at first but soon got bored of them and after catching a few strays and streeties in my parents garden, somehow ended up with a 30ft loft on an allotment, with a team of racing pigeons and not a clue how to race them lol. In my first season i scored in a few races, and managed to get a bird back from bourges and ended up 2nd club. In my second year I should have won my first race with a 2year Cheq Pd cock (what a stunning pigeon he was), but when I went over to get the clock read off at the fed the clock had stopped (gutted). That same year I discovered the featherless bird and the birds had to go lol. In 2000 a lad was going on holiday and asked me to look after his birds for him, reluctantly I agreed and that 2weeks ended up being 5 years lol. We had some good results, mainly from the channel, but we had different views on them and I ended up putting lofts up in my garden and flying from there taking a few good birds with me. In 2005 my season started as normal, using the inland races as training and trying to get the birds in form for the channel, which worked well as I scored from Lilled 3rd and 7th club, then a fortnight later won Claremont also being second and ended up high up in the combine. The 2 weeks later nearly winning our bourges race (the bird was sat down the old loft!!!!). The birds seemed to go off form completely after that, which I think was due to me pissing about with the ventilation during the season!!!!. My Ybs were unraced that year due to me going on holiday. 2006 was a really bad year for me, as the girlfriend walked out due to the pigeons, I kept racing but couldnt find the motivation for them, they scored well in a few races, but the buzz had gone, and to this date I still cant get the buzz back for them!! 2. What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? Busshearts from my old partnership. Corbett bushaerts introduced last year + a few Van reets. Jansenns introduced from Craig Smith this year, plus a few more Bushaerts and finally a Bushaert/Herman Beverdam cross of Paulo. Have had some really good birds from Tommy Napper from Hetton. 3. When do you pair up? Normally first week in jan for widowhood, but not till Feb 14th this year for birds to be on natural. 4. What products and feed you use? V-Laga YB mix for Ybs up until the start of training, when they will be on gerry + and if I race them they will be built up using V-Laga super widowhood until 4-5 weeks into racing when they will be stopped. Old birds (this year) hopper fed V-laga Gerry + until Tuesday night then V-Laga best allround and loads of peanuts the week b4 each channel race. Too many products to mention, heres a few. DMG, electrolytes, garlic, cider vinegar, honey, Vit B12, Probiotics. 5. What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? In the past widowhood, but Ive got limited space and havent the time to feed hens individually, so this year kept them paired up and they get flagged 1hour morning and night and they know they have to fly and dont hit the roof anymore. Ybs flown natural and to the perch, but rarely raced and normally just trained hard. Will be racing them this year all being well. 6. What motivation techniques do you use? Widowhood, hens b4 basketing if they seem fired up. If not I put a mirror in the box, and play a few tricks on them. 7. There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? Worm 3weeks b4 pairing, canker while sitting and this year used Parastop on the OB's after the YBs were weaned away. I now use a microscope every week or so and treat for 2 days accordingly if anything shows up. After a hold-over I put milton in the water for a few days. 8. If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? If I was kean to win at sprinting I would go to the local man who was winning and has been at the top for years. Distance wise, I would look for a small team flyer who flys only a few birds per race and still gets them high up the combine sheet regularly. 9. Who would you go to to get the new blood? as above 10. How did you do performances over the last 2,3yr period? 2004, 5wins and scored in every old bird race. 2005, fairly well. Last year mediocre but not bad considering the time spent with the birds. This year, serious lack of interest in any race so far, and sick of holdovers on channel racers. 11. What is your size of loft and size of team? 12ft x 6ft for old birds (started with 10pair) + 4ft x 4ft aviary. 12ft x 6ft for ybs (25 YBs) 12. What is your dream to come true in the future? My dream for the future is to take a few years out, have a family and return to the sport when ive got more time. Buy a proper loft with state of the art equipment and get some really good birds, then to top the UNC from bourges. I dont feel its a dream more of just when ;D
Guest Paulo Posted June 12, 2007 Report Posted June 12, 2007 1. How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves My dad, Granma, and Granda used to fly pigeons since the 60’s so have grown up with them really. When they retired due to the death of my granda they kept a few in case they ever decided to race again. I kept these birds as pets since being a kid also briefly helped a local pigeon man with his birds when I was 11 but he never used to win nowt and argued all the time with his other partner so got sick. Became interested in birds of the non feathered type and drink so the pigeons took a back seat for a few years. Then had to move allotments didn’t want to get rid of the new birds I had left so bred some got given some off people from here and built a new loft and decided to race. 2. What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? At the moment have busschaerts (own breed plus some off Stevebelbin) mainly a mix of corbetts plus some latcham busschaerts and a couple of rapido ones. Also have van loons, Gaby Vandies (M Lycett lines), Walter Doyxc (Alan Wilkins lines), and jansens. Hope to give them all a good testing as this is my first season. 3. When do you pair up? Around back end of january 4. What products and feed you use? Gem products, Red band, Versila Laga corn, homoform, cider vin. Van Hee products as well. 5. What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? Haven’t flown old birds as of yet 6. What motivation techniques do you use? Widowhood for yb’s 7. There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? Treat for worms, cocci, canker before breeding. Then same again before racing then when racing follow colin walkers recommendations and regulary treat for canker, cocci and worms. With the yb’s they get cankered when they are weaned and after that I monitor them if they appear two skinny I’ll worm them and they get coccied around april. Also make a big effort to keep lice off the birds. They get dipped in a solution of durimitex and the cree gets sprayed out once a season. Also use dettol to spray on the perchs once a week. Can tell when birds are lice free as dropping all heap up on perch during the night showing birds have had a good nights sleep and are content. When treating rotate the products so not using the same one all the time so diseases don’t build up an immunity to it. Don’t like using antibionics so don’t use them if bird is really bad kill it. Never have many problems with my birds they seem to have a good constritution. Like using natural stuff like gem products as they seem to really do the birds good and you can tell the difference in their droppings. 8. If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? Done it this year went to the best flyers I have picked out on the results sheet whom I am not in direct competion in and brought YB’s off them to race. 9. Who would you go to to get the new blood? As above 10. How did you do performances over the last 2,3yr period? Just started first race the end of this month. 11. What is your size of loft and size of team? Haven’t got the tape measure handy. Got a team of 25 Yb’s to race with 15 getting trained up whom I can slot into the programme as needed. 12. What is your dream to come true in the future? My goals are to:- 1. get placed in a club race 2. win the club on a regular basis 3. Get placed in the fed. 4. Top the fed 5. Top the WDA 6. Win the furity race
Guest CS Posted June 14, 2007 Report Posted June 14, 2007 Stuart Ager 1.How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves I have been born with pigeons in my blood my dad ray has had our feather friends since the age of 8 he is now my loft manager at the age of 68 with out him i could not do it so basically i have had pigeons now for 30 years 2.What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? the main base of my family of pigeons are the M & D evans vandenabeeles also some van reets they have won for me since the 90"s 3.When do you pair up? i pair all my birds up at around christmas time depending on the weather as long as it is not too cold 4.What products and feed you use? i use many different products for many different things i do not like to treat my birds with the same products each year but gemthepax is used all year every year plus the rhonfried products are brought at blackpool to last the season blitz mumm avipharm garlic cider vinegar orega stim 5.What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? in old birds 10 widow cocks and 10 natural pair youngsters are stupid i have not got a system i just play lots of games pair them up to old cocks and hens the sliding door on eggs on young 6.What motivation techniques do you use? motivation my advice for this is observe and see what each individual"s birds like 7.There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? before i pair i treat for 14 days with para stop then when on eggs i give 1/4 of flagyl tablet before racing agiain flagyl then every 4 weeks when racing i also treat respitory with linco spectin for 7 days then again after 6 races 8.If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? to me there is only 2 type of pigeon a good 1 and a bad 1 the bad ones are dead ones so before i bring new blood in i do like to see that the birds are also winning in other lofts as well as the main persons my father had the best saying which i will always follow YOU CAN BUY A MANS BIRDS BUT YOU CAN NOT BY THE MANS BRAIN AND SENSE 9.Who would you go to to get the new blood? some one whos been winning for at least 3 years 10.How did you do performances over the last 2,3yr period? only racing young in 2005 6x1st club 3x1st feds 28 prize cards in the top 20 at fed level some better peformances 4th amal 2,863 birds 2nd 13th 20th 39th 60th L N R C 3,154 birds i won the best young bird flyer and the young bird averages at both club and fed levels respectively in 2006 i went to a bigger fed i won 15x1st club 5x1st fed 51 fed cards in top 20 highlights 4 pigeons in top 50th of amal 2,274 birds 4 in top 25 amal 2,379 birds 7 in top 60 of the essex and kent combine 1,990 birds 9th and 31st L N R C 2,919 birds and in the last race of the season i took the first 5 at fed level 697 birds so far this seson 2007 3rd 4th 7th 13th 14th 17th fed 1,756 birds 1st 2nd 3rd 13th fed 1,696 birds 1,2,3,4,5,fed 1,833 birds 2,3,12,14,15,16,17,18,fed 1,656 birds 30th L N R C 4.000+birds 15th essex combine 2,000+ birds 11.What is your size of loft and size of team? top 36 old birds and 50 youngsters 12. What is your dream to come true in the future? my dream is to be like my dad a true gent and to won day win the big races
Guest CS Posted June 15, 2007 Report Posted June 15, 2007 Peterpau 1.How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves As a young lad under three my parents used to visit a farm nearby where they kept pigeons and horses. I developed an interest in both, but as I couldn't fit horses in the back garden. It had to be pigeons. 2.What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? No strain is favoured here. We have bought from five national winning lofts and the best breeder in the pen came to us as a stray young bird. A Krauth hen from Leeds. 3.When do you pair up? Second week in March is favourite. This year however we wanted no youngsters and bred early so they were all gone before racing. 4.What products and feed you use? Natural corn. Old lad in Rugby club recons it's the best he has ever used and I can't dissagree with him. Currently using Hormoform and very happy with it. Used to use Aviform 3 days a week and would go back to it if I feel a change was needed. 5.What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? Natural would be the norm, but flew the first three races this year on roundabout, then back to natural. Feel the birds are happiest that way. 6.What motivation techniques do you use? All sorts tried. Introducing extra eggs, up to half a dozen on basket night. An odd bantam egg. 7.There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? We treat through the race season. Ivermectin every six weeks and Spartrix or Ronidazol every four weeks. Dip in Duramitex before breeding and at the end of racing. Tobbacco stalks for nesting. Chevitea asca-pilla before pairing and after the moult. Milton in the water Saturday and Sunday. Cider vinegar Monday to Friday. 8.If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? We would bring in squeekers only. 9.Who would you go to to get the new blood? We move after racing and will introduce new blood. Looking at Van Geels currently, and will suppliment these with Massarella's. Treat everthing that comes in to the loft though. 10.How did you do performances over the last 2,3yr period? Performances steadily improving over the last three years. We now expect to clock at 600 mile and on the day at 500 mile. Four birds in the top 200 from two races so far, in BICC. (New club to us) 11.What is your size of loft and size of team? 6x10 young bird pen. Currently have 18x6 old bird pen, but with the house move this is to be scrapped and a 6x12 tiled roof, new pen to be orderd. 12. What is your dream to come true in the future? Would like to clock from Barcelona 751 miles. Tiz only a matter of time before we have a go. 13.Which club are u flying in? Rugby and BICC. We also joined the BBC but as yet not sent with them.
Guest CS Posted June 20, 2007 Report Posted June 20, 2007 Peter Pau 1.How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves As a young lad under three my parents used to visit a farm nearby where they kept pigeons and horses. I developed an interest in both, but as I couldn't fit horses in the back garden. It had to be pigeons. 2.What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? No strain is favoured here. We have bought from five national winning lofts and the best breeder in the pen came to us as a stray young bird. A Krauth hen from Leeds. 3.When do you pair up? Second week in March is favourite. This year however we wanted no youngsters and bred early so they were all gone before racing. 4.What products and feed you use? Natural corn. Old lad in Rugby club recons it's the best he has ever used and I can't dissagree with him. Currently using Hormoform and very happy with it. Used to use Aviform 3 days a week and would go back to it if I feel a change was needed. 5.What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? Natural would be the norm, but flew the first three races this year on roundabout, then back to natural. Feel the birds are happiest that way. 6.What motivation techniques do you use? All sorts tried. Introducing extra eggs, up to half a dozen on basket night. An odd bantam egg. 7.There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? We treat through the race season. Ivermectin every six weeks and Spartrix or Ronidazol every four weeks. Dip in Duramitex before breeding and at the end of racing. Tobbacco stalks for nesting. Chevitea asca-pilla before pairing and after the moult. Milton in the water Saturday and Sunday. Cider vinegar Monday to Friday. 8.If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? We would bring in squeekers only. 9.Who would you go to to get the new blood? We move after racing and will introduce new blood. Looking at Van Geels currently, and will suppliment these with Massarella's. Treat everthing that comes in to the loft though. 10.How did you do performances over the last 2,3yr period? Performances steadily improving over the last three years. We now expect to clock at 600 mile and on the day at 500 mile. Four birds in the top 200 from two races so far, in BICC. (New club to us) 11.What is your size of loft and size of team? 6x10 young bird pen. Currently have 18x6 old bird pen, but with the house move this is to be scrapped and a 6x12 tiled roof, new pen to be orderd. 12. What is your dream to come true in the future? Would like to clock from Barcelona 751 miles. Tiz only a matter of time before we have a go. 13.Which club are u flying in? Rugby and BICC. We also joined the BBC but as yet not sent with them.
Guest CS Posted June 20, 2007 Report Posted June 20, 2007 invincible_spirit 1. How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves i seen advertised 15 silver toye y/bs in 1997 and i picked them up for free and raced them ,ending up with 8 birds,i broke in some strays(6) i had been given and raced the old bird season earning a few 3rds/4ths/5ths and so on. 3 out of the last 4 seasons ive been top averages winner and 2nd last season,ive topped the welsh north road fed winning by 22yrds and several close positions flying most north in the fed. 2. What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? i have alsorts but im not into distance racing ..but have won club races at 450mls(bonn)...29th combine liege...381mls and so on. 3. When do you pair up? have paired at boxing day each year for the past 4 seasons. 4. What products and feed you use? i feed an high protein mixture and use the usual medications. 5. What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? i have no set method but clean food and water. 6. What motivation techniques do you use? i believe there is so many methods to motivate ...ie chicks, chipping eggs and so on. 7. There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? treat for canker/cocci b4 pairing..and droppings checked once every 2 months..or if i suspect things aint right. 8. If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? i would find birds i could afford.im not a dedicated flyer so i dont spend too much on stock.(not saying i dont love the sport though). 9. Who would you go to to get the new blood? i have been fortunate to have been given top pigeons to start back up this year,and i dont believe there is many if any better then frank tasker.here in wales there are many top flyers in my area ,john webber/dennis ford/preece bros/scammel and peploe/too many to mention all of them. 10. How did you do performances over the last 2,3yr period? as stated earlier considering only spending pennies on pigeons ive done better then expected beating flyers spending thousands,top averages 3 out of the last 4 yrs 2nd last year,topping welsh north road fed ..excess of 4000 birds...also clocking from 381mls 7 mins behind the eventual national winner. 11. What is your size of loft and size of team? i have 3 cots connected ...biggest 16ft..then 2 at around 10-12 ft each....i race 60 ybs and around 40 old birds or more..depending wots left from the y/b season. 12. What is your dream to come true in the future? well i do like kelly brook...sorry lol i would like to maintain a good standard in racing... 13. Which club are u flying in? i fly in the abergavenny kings ..abergavenny.
Guest CS Posted June 20, 2007 Report Posted June 20, 2007 Joe and Dave Sanders 1. How you got involved in the sport? Joe Sanders has been involved with pigeons since he was a lad and his father before him flew as Sanders Brothers before Word War 2, the birds in those days were the old Gitts and Barkers, in fact, the Sanders brothers used to breed pigeons for the government to be used in military service. Joe has been in his current partnership with his son Dave since 1975, his daughter Pat is proprietor of the local corn merchants along with her husband Barry. 2. What origins of stock and bloodlines do you keep? The current family of birds flown by Joe and Dave are Staf Van Reet that originate from Brownlee Nee Sons & Ward, these were obtained from Norman Halls who purchased 6 late breds from them. Recent introductions have been through local ace fancier Mark Watton, their influence being from Marks renowned producer 'Queenie' she is dam and grand-dam of hundreds of winners all over the West Midlands. 3. When do you pair your birds? The partnership pair their birds at the beginning of February and they are allowed to rear one or two youngsters before going on the widowhood system. 4. What products do you feed and use? Dave mixes his own food for the widowers, little else is given other then normal vitamins and a trapping mixture again mixed by Dave. The birds receive an occasional tonic in the water, red minerals and red stone grit are always available. 5.What methods (systems) do you use to fly your birds? Classic widowhood system is used, exercise is given morning and evening and the birds are given an occasional training toss on Wednesday if the partnership feel it is necessary. As for the young birds these are flown on the darkness system with the second round going on the natural system and they are fed Bamfords Breed and Wean. 6. What motivation techniques do you use? The only motivation techniques used for the young birds is the perch, they are trained three weeks before the first race and then three times a week during the racing system. As for the widowhood cocks, the hen is shown Friday evening but if the birds have received a training toss during the week only the nest bowl is shown. 7. Health programs, when and how often do you treat? Gamba tabs by Rhonfried are used as a preventative throughout the season. 8. If you were to introduce new blood into your loft how would you go about Birds of the Staf Van Reet family would again be used and the partnership would approach Brownlee Nee and Ward for the possible purchase of some late breds of their performance pigeons. 9. Your performances over the last 2 to 3 years? Performances over the last few years have been very consistent with the exceptional performance, last season, of their ace pigeon 'Joes Boy', this Staf Van Reet cock took 3 x 4th and 3 x 1st Club with 3rd 5th and 1st Federation up to 5,000 birds, this pigeon is again from a Brownlee Nee and Ward stock cock mated to a grand-daughter of Mark Wattons 'Queenie' 10. What is the size of your loft/team? The lofts are approximately 36 feet, housing 16 pairs of widowers and approximately 40 youngsters. 11. What is your ambition and what would you like to see happen for the future of pigeon racing? Joes response to this 'I want to win every race I send in' he also said he would very much like to live another 20 years, Dave's response to this was 'I bloody hope not!! 12. What clubs do you belong to and which Federation do you compete in? Joe and Dave are members of the strong Beeches Road Flying Club and compete in the Worcester Federation.
Guest CS Posted June 20, 2007 Report Posted June 20, 2007 Peckedhen 1. How do you got involved in the sport a brief history about themselves My hubby bought me a dovecote and a pair of fantails for our silver wedding anniversary. I was hooked! I realised that I couldn't do much with the birds in a dovecote so bought a small (4x6') shed and added a sputnik. I outgrew that in less than a year and so added a 12x6' shed which is divided into two sections. 2. What origins of stock/bloodlines do you keep? Pure white Logans from three different sources. 3. When do you pair up? Beginning of February. 4. What products and feed you use? Breed and wean, barley and economy mix. 5. What methods do you used to fly old birds should include feed and watering system? Well, I'm not racing. 6. What motivation techniques do you use? Old birds fly back for their nest and the young birds for food! 7. There health programmes, When and How often do you treat? Garlic clove two days, water two days, cider vinegar two days, water two days, multivitamin one day. 8. If you were to introduce new blood into the loft how would you go about it? Buy in squeakers 9. Who would you go to to get the new blood? If I decide to race I'd get young from my mentor - a very successful racer - top three in club every week. 10. How did you do performances over the last 2,3yr period? Not racing! 11. What is your size of loft and size of team? Loft 12x6'. 18 young birds, 11 yearlings and 4 homed stock birds. 12. What is your dream to come true in the future? No big ambitions - just enjoy the birds and learn more about them. 13. Which club are u flying in? none.
Guest CS Posted July 3, 2007 Report Posted July 3, 2007 Very good reports and interesting to read the loft reports, if you want your loft reports, pm me for questions...
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