RACING PIGEON SPORTS OR BUSINESS?

[Guest llcoolj]

I was just wondering, where has the sportsmanship gone? is racing pigeon sport or tool for making money. I just read this weeks BHW, in there there is someone who actually charges money to give you piece of advice as to what needs to be done in order to become a successful flyer. What if all fancier paid him the sum, who would then win? Well it seems the credit crunch has got hold of some of us.

 

I dont know about rest here, but I would like to believe I am in this Sport for the fact that there are some nice, honest, helpful and ever ready to help people. and I for one still believe in true sportsmanship.

 

Thanks to those who have shared their wisdom with us, you know who you are. And it is because of people like yourselves the Pigeon Racing is one of the most interesting and popular today. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN for your true sportmanship.

[Guest ROCKYandRAMBO]

i think sites like this keeps it as a hobby as every one on the site likes to help each other out if it wasnt for this site i would of said it was getting to much as a buisness but well done to pigeon basics for keeping the fanciers together in helping each other out

[Guest spin cycle]

nice thread and sentiment

[Guest lenwadebob]

For me it will ALWAYS be a hobby. If racing were ever to stop, I would still have my birds, as I get my pleasure out of watching them fly.

Sadly pigeon racing is dying on it's feet because of the infiltration of big money men, who cant even spell comradeship, never mind know what it means.

MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL IN ALL FORMS OF SPORT.

[sox]

totally agree with lenwadebob money is the problem in a lot of sports

[holmsidelofts]

I think its like all hobbies there will always be people making money from it, People who make lofts, sells corn and products, people who make dvds, people who sell birds, people who run one loft races etc  all make a living from the sport.

For me i dont mind paying for something if that thing is worth the money they are charging. And as the sport is getting more and more expensive i dont see an issue with people making money from it as some do it to help pay for there racing fees.

 

 

[Guest lenwadebob]

I don't disagree with your comment. But there is a big difference between those who make a few bob to help finance their hobby (this goes back into the sport) and those who are out to rip people off (this goes into their pocket never to be seen again in the sport). A BIG difference  

[Silverdale Lofts]

We have to look at this we never say anything few examples clocks= have never come down in price we have always paid what they want okay you can pick up bargains now due to ets. Corn = the belgiums reduced the bags of corn from 25kgs to 20kgs kept the price same we never said a word.  We have been jabbing the birds for over 20 years for para surely you would have thought they would  have found something to stop it no they havent and if they did would they tell us no because they are making too much money from pigeon fanciers.

[Guest lenwadebob]

Very true. Take Multivits in the water as an example, Specifically made for pigeons £25+  :-/ exactly the same but made for poultry £4.45 and at twice the strength.  I rest my case.

[holmsidelofts]

Very true. Take Multivits in the water as an example, Specifically made for pigeons £25+  :-/ exactly the same but made for poultry £4.45 and at twice the strength.  I rest my case.

 

Not sure what multivits you are using mate but you need to shop about,               

     

Beyers Liquid Multivitamins £9.98     

Harkers Harkavit-Plus £6.86     

De-Scheemaeker Natural Naturavit Plus £6.53

etc, so where you get £25 + from im not really sure. Plus as i have said before its all about supply and demand, Poultry farmers spend millions of pounds a year compared with us pigeon fanciers so the companies who make these products are gonna give them the discount. Its a market that is 100 times bigger than we will ever be.

 

 

[greenlands]

A hobby for me ,I enjoy the birds,a little pool money helps with the bills but the red card is nice.

Lindsay

[Guest lenwadebob]

Shop around, false economy.

Buy a loaf of bread from my local corner shop at £1.10 or go to Tesco 10 miles away and buy it for 99p, but use £3 worth of petrol to get there. Buy a pigeon product from your local corn store for say £10 or buy it from a big supplier half way up the country for £9 and pay for example £3.50 for posting it to you. Where is the economic sense in that.  :-/ And don't tell me buy in bulk, NOT everyone has the finances to do that. As I said it's all down to money and those who have the 'cash to splash' get the cream. Buy a bag of Versale Laga best all round for £12 a bag from your local corn store or buy a ton at £9 a bag from a main supplier, who can afford to buy a ton, and furthermore how many of us can actually store that amount. As I say it's all about MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

[pjc]

Pigeon racing is not a recognised sport and the unions have failed to get it recognised!

When and if it does become an official sport the money men will make even more, there will be lofts getting sponsorship etc etc as other sports and sportsman get.

[Guest racer]

i have said this for years you wont beat money a flyer once said to me you dont work so you can train your birds when you want let out when you want and i said very true if i had the money to go down the road training but i dont now this same person had his own buisness bought the best birds corn ect also flew into a good pos and was the top flyer when out of work with very little resources you try your hardest but you wont beat money i keep trying but must admit i love to see them come home i have also won my fair share over the years

[holmsidelofts]

Shop around, false economy.

Buy a loaf of bread from my local corner shop at £1.10 or go to Tesco 10 miles away and buy it for 99p, but use £3 worth of petrol to get there. Buy a pigeon product from your local corn store for say £10 or buy it from a big supplier half way up the country for £9 and pay for example £3.50 for posting it to you. Where is the economic sense in that.  :-/ And don't tell me buy in bulk, NOT everyone has the finances to do that. As I said it's all down to money and those who have the 'cash to splash' get the cream. Buy a bag of Versale Laga best all round for £12 a bag from your local corn store or buy a ton at £9 a bag from a main supplier, who can afford to buy a ton, and furthermore how many of us can actually store that amount. As I say it's all about MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

 

I dont dispute that, just commenting on your £25+ compared to £4 comment. everything in the world revolves around money. but money doesnt make you a champion. There are 100's of people out there that have spend £1000's on the best birds but never become champions, money wont make you successful but it does help in some circumstances.

I agree about cost and it does cost more each year to race but we cant do much about that, I have been racing for 30 years and if you compare the price of corn back then to what it is now its not that different giving for inflation.

 

But for me its all about quality not price, yes you can go to a local farmer who will sell you grain, but its nowhere near the quality of what comes from abroad as the climate abroad gives better quality corn and thats fact, plus factor in delivery and the price will be higher but the quality is also higher too so in my opinion that extra cost is worth it.

I know cost is an issue for some people, and not all people in this sport can afford to pay for the best and theres nothing wrong with that. Im fortunate enough to be in a high paid job which allows me to spend that little more, I have tried cheaper corn and saw a difference and so i went back to what i know.

 

If you factor in the cost over a year for racing it works out for me something like what follows.

Corn bill - £700 average.

supplements and products including vaccinations - £300

Training approx 10 tosses old birds at about a cost of £4 a toss - £40

Training for youngsters 40 tosses approx at a cost of about £4 a toss - £160

Club fees - Approx £70

Racing cost per week Approx £20 per week average races of 25 a year - £500 a year. that doesnt factor in national fees and sending and pooling in national races

Ets rings £100 a year approx.

my time 3 hours plus a day every day 365 days a year £priceless.

 

Thats nearly £2000 a year on the sport we love.

Unfortunately it is about money, without it we couldnt be part of it, and i do feel its what is partly to blame for the sport being in decline as its very difficult for youngster to get into the sport with the above cost .

Thats why its important for fancier like us to support the youngsters who are getting into the sport the way we do.

 

Have a good season ahead, Im gonna make sure the wife doesnt see the above or i could be talking with a high pitch voice the next time im on.

 

 

[DOVEScot]

Every sport I have been involved with is the same and you could carbon copy all the ups and downs, the moaning and the politics and nothing will ever change as long as humans are involved

The roots are what keep any weed or mighty oak alive and if the top of the tree don't take heed then it will die.

 

I see on another thread that we should not buy anything at Blackpool then if we all adopted that theory then it would be shut next year as it is not only a show it survives on the commercialism from traders and studs selling birds and punter paying inflated prices for drink and food. Am I looking forward to going your right I am even though I am paying £150 digs and £80 diesel £20 to get in and I am hoping to get a couple of show baskets £10 cheaper on Sunday  ;D ;D ;D :'( :'( :'(

 

I never thought that when I bought a cheap dove cote of eBay to house some nice white fantails that I would end up with four cotes and two lofts and I would be making them along with other pigeon products or racing birds :-/

[Guest lenwadebob]

 

I dont dispute that, just commenting on your £25+ compared to £4 comment. everything in the world revolves around money. but money doesnt make you a champion. There are 100's of people out there that have spend £1000's on the best birds but never become champions, money wont make you successful but it does help in some circumstances.

I agree about cost and it does cost more each year to race but we cant do much about that, I have been racing for 30 years and if you compare the price of corn back then to what it is now its not that different giving for inflation.

 

But for me its all about quality not price, yes you can go to a local farmer who will sell you grain, but its nowhere near the quality of what comes from abroad as the climate abroad gives better quality corn and thats fact, plus factor in delivery and the price will be higher but the quality is also higher too so in my opinion that extra cost is worth it.

I know cost is an issue for some people, and not all people in this sport can afford to pay for the best and theres nothing wrong with that. Im fortunate enough to be in a high paid job which allows me to spend that little more, I have tried cheaper corn and saw a difference and so i went back to what i know.

 

If you factor in the cost over a year for racing it works out for me something like what follows.

Corn bill - £700 average.

supplements and products including vaccinations - £300

Training approx 10 tosses old birds at about a cost of £4 a toss - £40

Training for youngsters 40 tosses approx at a cost of about £4 a toss - £160

Club fees - Approx £70

Racing cost per week Approx £20 per week average races of 25 a year - £500 a year. that doesnt factor in national fees and sending and pooling in national races

Ets rings £100 a year approx.

my time 3 hours plus a day every day 365 days a year £priceless.

 

Thats nearly £2000 a year on the sport we love.

Unfortunately it is about money, without it we couldnt be part of it, and i do feel its what is partly to blame for the sport being in decline as its very difficult for youngster to get into the sport with the above cost .

Thats why its important for fancier like us to support the youngsters who are getting into the sport the way we do.

 

Have a good season ahead, Im gonna make sure the wife doesnt see the above or i could be talking with a high pitch voice the next time im on.

 

 

Copied and pasted this, so you are at my mercy now   pmsl  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D All the best for 2010 with or without your gonads   :P

 

 

[greenlands]

Copied and pasted this, so you are at my mercy now   pmsl       All the best for 2010 with or without your gonads  

RED CARD

[Guest youngzimmy]

RACING PIGEONS IS A MULTI MILLION POUND BUISNESS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT  DONT KID YOURSELF FOR A MINUTE IF IN DOUBT ASK MIKE GANUS

[Guest lenwadebob]

RACING PIGEONS IS A MULTI MILLION POUND BUISNESS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT  DONT KID YOURSELF FOR A MINUTE IF IN DOUBT ASK MIKE GANUS

 

And that's why, sadly, more and more are leaving the sport, and it's getting harder for youngsters to get involved. I'm glad I am in my twilight years of the hobby. R.I.P Pigeon Racing as a hobby.

[Guest youngzimmy]

ANYBOADY GOT NATIONAL WINNERS FOR SALE IF YOU HAVE I HAVE GOT A SPARE ARM AND A LEG TO PAY FOR THEM HAHAHA WE MAY WELL LAUGH BUT TIMES ARE HARD AND FRIENDS ARE FEW ACTUALY I HAVE ONE PERSON TO THANK JOCK1 WHO GAVE ME THOUSANDS OF POUNDS WORTH OF DOOS AT NO CHARGE AT ALL AYE FEW LIKE YEA THESE DAYS JOHN

[Guest lenwadebob]

ANYBOADY GOT NATIONAL WINNERS FOR SALE IF YOU HAVE I HAVE GOT A SPARE ARM AND A LEG TO PAY FOR THEM HAHAHA WE MAY WELL LAUGH BUT TIMES ARE HARD AND FRIENDS ARE FEW ACTUALY I HAVE ONE PERSON TO THANK JOCK1 WHO GAVE ME THOUSANDS OF POUNDS WORTH OF DOOS AT NO CHARGE AT ALL AYE FEW LIKE YEA THESE DAYS JOHN

 

Well I've been legless and it's all been armless, but I wouldn't give an arm or a leg for pigeons. As you say you can get your best birds as gifts

[tjloft]

This sport/hobby is what you want to make of it - for me it is about watching the birds out flying and hoping for a good one from Pau/Barcelona and getting up pre dawn on a warm summer morning mug of tea in hand with bacon butty!!. For others it will be card collecting and for some the hope that results will end up with commercial success.  No different to other pastimes.

[Guest youngzimmy]

I AGREE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPENT SUBSTANCIAL AMOUNTS OF MONEY BRINGING FIRST CLASS STOCK IN MUST RECOUP SOME OF THERE OUTLAY IF POSSIBLE WHO KNOWS YOU MAY BUY AN EXEPTIONALYOUNGSTER FOR A FRACTION OF THE PRICE YOU MAY OTHERWISE HAVE PAYED GOOD LUCK TO ALL WHO ARE LOOKING FOR THAT LITTLE GEM OUT THERE SOMEWHERE

[Guest bakes]

hobby for me enjoy my birds so what ever money i win will be going back into my birds after all they won it not me.

 

all the best.