Ian McKay Posted March 6, 2016 Report Posted March 6, 2016 Subject: Sam Nelson, Glenmavis, Lanarkshire Federation, Scotland -1st Open Salisbury 347 miles 2012 On a lovely February afternoon I took the short trip to the village of Glenmavis. This is on the north region of the Lanarkshire Federation which is situated in the central belt of Scotland. Sam, who is in his seventy fifth year, has kept pigeons since the age of ten and has always felt the need for pigeons within his life. Sam's loft sits at the side of his home and is surrounded by corrugated fencing which keeps it private and secure from vermin with the added support of his lively terrier dog. Sam stated he keeps pigeons for the enjoyment of the sport and if he wins it's a bonus! He enjoys conditioning his birds for their selected races and seeing them return. Sam likes to keep himself active and that's the same for his pigeons, keeping them in a routine and everything simple. Sam is a member of Glenmavis club and his season is all geared around the Federation distance races. The club racing doesn't really interest Sam and in his opinion more experienced fanciers should leave the club prizes to the youngsters and less experienced fanciers and only compete for federation prizes..Sam would also like to see the National races flown only from across the water and leave the Inland races to the Federations, Initially he started racing pigeons obtained from his uncle Alec White and Frazer McIntyre (both from Greengairs) and later birds from Alec Dees from Plains.He also invested in Busshaerts from Louella lofts that won well at club level for years scoring right through the programme His present family of birds originate from Stan Brimcome of Portsmouth -Ko Nipus breeding Sion breeding from Jimmy Hamilton, from Hamilton area Jan Aardeen breeding from Louella and also one pair of Janssens Sam likes to pair performance pigeons to each other so keeping the birds pure doesn't really matter, its getting birds that can win at the distance.The birds are well tested by single tossing mostly from the east coast which Sam feels gives them the confidence to fly long distances (Don't be frightened to train birds on their own) Sam's stock pigeons only rear the first round as he only breeds a small team. Sam likes to take some late breds of the six pair of stock pigeons just in case of heavy losses in the young bird programme. Sam's set up is a small garden with only 25-30 youngsters bred for racing and tested to the last race. Sam is not interested in winning it is more about the youngster getting experience and he couldn't care less if they take all day to return. Sam is hoping to build a team of birds that he can join the National with to enjoy the distance races. Sam’s Lofts and Management System. Lofts are self built by Sam with added finishing touches that are really unique and practical.Racing loft is 16 x 7 ft with plenty of ventilation at the front with sky light type vents in ceiling in each of the three sections with full length corridor for the old bird section. Everything about the loft feels relaxed with plenty of space and a feeling of wellbeing.The old birds are split after rearing and flown on roundabout system. Yearlings have their own section and fly on natural nest cycle as Sam stated yearlings are only learning their trade and roundabout for yearlings causes high losses. Sam has learnt this over the years. Young bird loft is 12 x 6 ft, is south facing with an open front design. The simple but effective perches allow droppings to fall to floor into light layer of shavings under perches. The youngsters learn to drink out of adapted basket type drinkers. They are also basketed by opening in corridor to prevent having to catch each individual bird. Sam has built all these ideas into his systems including his own feeders and nest boxes with mesh tray. Sam also has a unique way of keeping his drinkers from freezing, putting a light bulb on the top of his drinkers’ lids. This also allows light in the loft on those cold dark winter nights. (possibly not one for the safety conscious!!) This can be set on a timer when he is working. Everything is adapted for practicality! The birds are exercised around the loft twice per day and also trained from Edinburgh around 25 miles a couple of times per week. Always single tossed after the initial training flights which Sam feels is essential in their education for later .Sam works as a Gardener in Edinburgh and so the pigeons go with him and are liberated when ready, no hurry, no stress! No flying in batches making the pigeon think for itself. This system applies to both the youngsters and old birds Stock loft is 6ft with aviary at top with six pair of mostly older stock fro the original base pigeons Feeding - Old birds 1 - 1/2 oz morning and night ,Vesele Laga All round mixture with ground peanuts added. As the distance races approach birds fed as much as they wish the last few days, Young birds -Versele Laga young bird mix and then during racing same as old birds, light feed morning and all they wish at night. Sam stated if you feed the birds the right amount before you exercise them they will fly well around the loft and need less training. He uses very few products, 3 in 1 Harkers before racing Iodine once per fortnight, couple of drops in drinker. 3 types of grit, Kilpatrick, Matrix ,mixed grit, Black minerals and pick pot minerals Salt block also available Sprays the loft with Vicks sinus spray that he feels benefits the pigeons. Water is changed twice per day and the lofts also cleaned twice per day which he feels is essential.He uses Jay’s fluid to disinfect the lofts and has also got an electric Fly/Moth killer which he thinks is beneficial.He vaccinates his youngsters on leaving nest and feels this is essential, Sam feels that the Birds health can be judged through their eyes as, in his opinion the eyes tell you everything about the pigeon’s health and well being. He states his best product is clean grit and minerals each day, train your birds to get them into racing condition and routine is essential. When asked about who he admires in the sport, he names those fanciers who have stayed at the top of their game at the distance, Dave Donaldson of Peterhead and Mr Mrs D Elliot of Newbiggin stating these fanciers take some beating!!!. His Open winner was named Stan after the person who bred the parents Stan Brimcome from his Ko Nipus strain. This bird a 5yr old dark cheq cock and has always been a decent bird. Small to medium in size with good quality of feather, light body frame with long cast. Very much bred for the distance. His birds are paired around middle of February with the yearling not till mid March. Old bird racers don't start till around 150 miles and then go every week on the roundabout system thereafter. They will get a couple of 50 mile tosses from the east when being prepared for across the water. His ambition, Sam joked was to live long enough to see his next win from the distance!! Sam doesn't reflect on his past wins which have been there but looks forward to this year and trying to get a good timer at the distance, not necessarily winning the race just up with the winners. I would like to thank Sam and Nan for a very enjoyable afternoon , listening to a lifetime enjoyed in the pigeon sport and at a time of his life that winning isn't everything.- Buy maybe that's the secret, don't stress yourself or the birds. All the best to Sam with his cracking wee team of birds.Photos Small stock loftYoung bird loftOld bird loftTwo of the original KO Nipus stock pigeons ,pied sire of 1st Open Ventilation system in young bird loftDroppings pit under perchesYearling sectionFloor of racing section with self built feederUnique bulb in drinker lid systemSkye light type ventilation in each section in old bird loftHens roundabout sectionSam holding his open winnerFront of young bird drinking areainside loft drinking areaTrophies won in the Lanarkshire federation 2012 Tom CorrieLanarkshire Press Officercorrietom@aol.com
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