COCK or HEN

[T_T]

What do members of the forum do when selecting a breeding pair.  Do they select the HEN first or the COCK ? or not really bothered.

[Guest]

I generally pick my best distance cocks first and then put them to 2 or 3 good distance hens.

[rockinrick]

i will choose my best cock first then look around for his hen as they usually stay together

[Mike Lycett]

It takes two to tango so they are equal in every regard at our loft when it comes to selecting who goes to who

[jimmy white]

if you have a decent team, ive often let them pair up themselves, i find love matches race better,,,i did select some on purpose, but the best birds came from the others ;D

[Guest]

I think the practice is mating 'best to best' and it doesn't appear to matter what sex you start with, the main criterion is that it is your best. . .  

 

If I can pinch Jimmy White for a second [honest I'll put him back  ;D ] Jimmy told me during a recent vist he 'started' with an exceptionally good bird which happened to be a cock  (Sir Colin) which had scored at the distance, and negotiated with the owners of exceptionally good hens (which had also scored at the distance) for mutual pairing of these two pigeons and a mutual split of their offspring.

 

I know the late Andrew Deans did the same and proposed that all fanciers should do this in his last contribution to the SNFC year book .....

 

So it doesn't seem to matter if you start with an exceptionally good hen or cock. What seems to matter is that you maintain good social contacts in the sport, and get your bird an equally exceptional mate.

 

 

[Guest]

Well said Bruno and Jimmy. I myself every year pair one or two of my best channel pigeons with one or two of my mates pigeons who is an exceptional national channel flyer. Normally we pair together birds which have been timed on the day from Pau and split the young. Hoping to get that next champion. Good friends in the sport help you to obtain the best pigeons.

[Guest Silverwings]

I think both pigeons are of equal importance ,but follow a basic plan when pairing if i want to use qualities from a paticular hen i use sons from her ? but the reverse with cocks ?  to promote his qualities i use his daughters !  just my own fad i suppose? but it works well for me .....ray

[Guest]

WEalso pair daughter or grand daughter back to the Stock pigeon