Barcelona

Kyleakin Lofts · January 28, 2018

Barcelona

( A remarkable achievement)

Those of you that are interested in racing at the distance couldnâ€™t

fail to notice that Nigel Lane has won the National from

Barcelona. I now know his position in the international result is

475th from 25,320 pigeons, well up there.

I met with Nigel to get the low down on him and his birds Nigel is

a retired police officer who started racing pigeons in 1987. Like

most of the distance flyers in the south, he started racing The

North Road in 1 day races.

His interest changed and as a final test he raced only with The

North Road Championship Club wining 1st section from Thurso

at over 500 miles. His interest then changed again in 2003 to The

South Road and the extreme distance. Starting with British

distance birds which did not gel with him and were patchy

performers, he continued to search for other birds which led him

to meeting up with Carlier-Petite, Eric Vanacker and Robert Ben

at these meetings he found that they were flying predominately

Dutch birds.

Nigel felt that he needed a Jan Arden, Van De Wegen, Van

Wanroy type of bird. Researching various fanciers in Holland, he

set out to acquire birds from some fanciers there.

He only started the distance in 2005 and has now won the

National from Barcelona, a remarkable achievement and one that

most people dream of and spend their lives trying to time even a

decent one from Barcelona. Few succeed, many try. The wining

bird prior to Barcelona had already raced 1393 miles putting in a

reasonable performance for Nigel.

The winning pigeon named "EADHUN" is a 2009 cock bred from a cock from Jac

Steketee and a hen from Jelle Outhuijse both excellent fanciers in their own right.

(Extended pedigree showing part English origin.)

"EADHUN" will be prepared for his return to Barcelona next year.

Nigel lives in Havering, Essex, not exactly a hot spot for National distance

winners and yet this year has produced 4 National Winners, see it can be done.

Preparation

The birds in their first year are only given a few tosses as all of them are late

breds. Nigel due to lack of room, only breeds after the racing season is over.

The birds are put aside to have their first race as yearlings though Nigel calls

this training.

The first race is from 185 miles over the water, he then proceeds as follows,

those that return are sent 220 miles with the BBC because most of the birds are

flying into the West Country and Nigel is in the East. This is a severe test for

them.

At 2 years of age, they go to 3 BBC nationals and a race with The London

South East Classic Club as training.

At 3 years of age the brakes are off and they go to 4 National races and finish up

racing from Barcelona.

Feeding

Young birds are weaned on a mixture of beans, wheat, barley, maize and a

small amount of sunflower seed which Nigel calls his general mix. As yearlings

they stay on this mix but when racing the proportions of the grains change but

not the type of grains. As the distance increases the fat content of the grains is

increased. I asked Nigel if he gave them anything extra and he said no just the

fat content.

Treatments

Nigel treats the birds routinely for Coccidiosis and Canker and the normal

vaccination against Para.

All in all a very interesting meeting and what a bird, I wonder if it can do the

same next year.

Druid Lofts · January 28, 2018

A good read Andy

It all seems so easy when you read about It,but we all know there's a lot of hard work goes into these achievements.

Congratulations to Nigel Lane.

Roland · January 28, 2018

Good read that Kyleakin, also that he passed it on. Thanks.

paddymac · January 28, 2018

Another good read

Kyleakin Lofts · January 28, 2018

The year being reported he was 1st Open BBC, but also beat the 1st Open BICC, so in effect 1st UK. Eadun was sent the following year and was 2nd Open. I cannot remember whether he was beaten by a BBC pigeon or a BICC one.

greenbar · January 28, 2018

a good read andy, :animatedpigeons:

fieldwalker · January 29, 2018

interesting read :drinking-coffee-200:

THE FIFER · January 29, 2018

very good m8, interesting,

blue lad · January 29, 2018

Agree whole heartily.Very good reading .

Kyleakin Lofts · January 29, 2018

Just noticed that this looks as though I was the interviewer, I wasn't. It was someone called Garry Gatenby-Taylor. I am quite friendly with Nigel and that is why permission was given to reproduce his articles.

Froog · January 29, 2018

What does he use to increase the fat content? if only using same mix of grains? does he increase the sunflower?

Kyleakin Lofts · January 30, 2018

What does he use to increase the fat content? if only using same mix of grains? does he increase the sunflower?

Yes.

Jim hannah · January 30, 2018

Barcelona
( A remarkable achievement)
Those of you that are interested in racing at the distance couldnâ€™t
fail to notice that Nigel Lane has won the National from
Barcelona. I now know his position in the international result is
475th from 25,320 pigeons, well up there.
I met with Nigel to get the low down on him and his birds Nigel is
a retired police officer who started racing pigeons in 1987. Like
most of the distance flyers in the south, he started racing The
North Road in 1 day races.
His interest changed and as a final test he raced only with The
North Road Championship Club wining 1st section from Thurso
at over 500 miles. His interest then changed again in 2003 to The
South Road and the extreme distance. Starting with British
distance birds which did not gel with him and were patchy
performers, he continued to search for other birds which led him
to meeting up with Carlier-Petite, Eric Vanacker and Robert Ben
at these meetings he found that they were flying predominately
Dutch birds.
Nigel felt that he needed a Jan Arden, Van De Wegen, Van
Wanroy type of bird. Researching various fanciers in Holland, he
set out to acquire birds from some fanciers there.
He only started the distance in 2005 and has now won the
National from Barcelona, a remarkable achievement and one that
most people dream of and spend their lives trying to time even a
decent one from Barcelona. Few succeed, many try. The wining
bird prior to Barcelona had already raced 1393 miles putting in a
reasonable performance for Nigel.
The winning pigeon named "EADHUN" is a 2009 cock bred from a cock from Jac
Steketee and a hen from Jelle Outhuijse both excellent fanciers in their own right.
(Extended pedigree showing part English origin.)
"EADHUN" will be prepared for his return to Barcelona next year.
Nigel lives in Havering, Essex, not exactly a hot spot for National distance
winners and yet this year has produced 4 National Winners, see it can be done.
Preparation
The birds in their first year are only given a few tosses as all of them are late
breds. Nigel due to lack of room, only breeds after the racing season is over.
The birds are put aside to have their first race as yearlings though Nigel calls
this training.
The first race is from 185 miles over the water, he then proceeds as follows,
those that return are sent 220 miles with the BBC because most of the birds are
flying into the West Country and Nigel is in the East. This is a severe test for
them.
At 2 years of age, they go to 3 BBC nationals and a race with The London
South East Classic Club as training.
At 3 years of age the brakes are off and they go to 4 National races and finish up
racing from Barcelona.
Feeding
Young birds are weaned on a mixture of beans, wheat, barley, maize and a
small amount of sunflower seed which Nigel calls his general mix. As yearlings
they stay on this mix but when racing the proportions of the grains change but
not the type of grains. As the distance increases the fat content of the grains is
increased. I asked Nigel if he gave them anything extra and he said no just the
fat content.
Treatments
Nigel treats the birds routinely for Coccidiosis and Canker and the normal
vaccination against Para.
All in all a very interesting meeting and what a bird, I wonder if it can do the
same next year.