Regards Flying In Heat Etc.

[Roland]

Remember this well too:

 

by Gord Chalmers » Wed Jul 17, 2013 1:53 pm

 

A lot of old bird racing now appears to be over for the most part, or almost over, and fanciers are turning to training for the young bird series of races. At the moment, I have concerns about the welfare of racing birds, whether old or young, when I note the extremely hot conditions + very high levels of humidity (and the potential for the complicating factor of smog alerts) that are now occurring, especially in eastern Canada. Even in the usually dry west, there is currently a lot of standing water in fields coupled with water saturation of the soil as a result of continuous heavy rains and severe flooding problems, so the potential for the same combinations of very high heat (it's coming this week) and humidity to occur here is also very real.

Studies have shown that pigeons can fly from a distance of approximately 200 miles (320 km) in 4.25 hours while maintaining an average metabolic rate that is more than 17 times the resting level. The resulting heat production naturally raises their body temperature. It is a fact that under the extremely severe combined conditions of high environmental temperatures and high humidity, in training tosses and races, pigeons have a great deal of difficulty controlling their internal temperature. As a result, pigeons will normally stop flying when their core body temperature rises from an average resting value of about 104.5F (40.3C) to about 110F (43.3C) or more because of such conditions.

My point in raising this issue is that I feel very strongly that it is definitely inhumane to send birds racing (except possibly for shorter races that are liberated very early in the cooler morning) from the middle distance and longer races when they are held under these extremely severe conditions. I know, I know - the die-hards will argue that after all, these are merely birds, that nature will take care of them, that this is part of the natural selective process (it's not because in a natural setting, nature would curtail their normal activities under these conditions), that we have never held birds back in the past because of severe heat/humidity, and on and on with other indefensible protests. In my view the time is long past due for a critical look at this unreasonable aspect of the sport in Canada. It's time for individual fanciers, clubs, combines and yes, the CU too, to tackle this issue and to lay out standards of activity that are much more humane. (I note that workers in the terrible Lac Megantic tragedy now have to struggle in 50 C (122 F) heat and can only handle 15 minutes (max) of work at one time. We need to be as concerned for the welfare of our pigeons as we are for these workers. JMO. Gord.

End off. ….

 

Maybe it is time to look at the Race season(s) altogether. Yes we can control the moult etc. Also there is NOTHING in my book that says that Old bird racing can't and shouldn't 'SPLIT'into two parts. one where a rest is taken?

Indeed why not have a combined race season. I feel a rest for Nesting could be beneficial for starters!

At tye moment the best youngster 'BY FAR' in our race circle are the Later bred.

Edited June 27, 2018 by Roland

[Roland]

I, as you know, like a very high majority whom sadly won't voice their opinion if the 'Ear Ticklers' are about would actually welcome a later start. 2nd week in May or later.

Now June surely must be the time for short races.. to a little of middle races. This could serve as two purposes. Later and better breeding for starter. Light training then better start to the Inland races. The pigeons pencilled in for the longer and harder races could have the odd shorter races to freshen or condition them etc. End of July young birds could start racing into September. The old bird distance raced at that time would be going into middle distances and onto the longer and harder races in August.

Also many hens used for widowerhood could be raced in 2-5 different systems as the owner wants.

Indeed this would also help the birds in their racing as they could be rotated with the sexes. Smaller but better class of pigeons would ensue. Smaller teams and fewer losses. Strains and stresses of the minimised with better conditioned pigeons.

 

Will it ever happen?

Off course not. people hate change and get comfortable with their' habits. No two ways about that!

 

Yet WE love our pigeons … Mostly I believe that. We feed and water and care for them 365 days a years. Spend a lot of time, money and many others things take a back seat as we put our love of the pigeon before most else!

 

Now that last sentence says a lot. A lot of things and much truth.

Also on the outside looking in says a lot in as much that we contradict our self's. Indeed a good case can easily be made that it is a fallacy, or best ONLY a half truth put forward.

Edited June 27, 2018 by Roland

[Roland]

It beggars the question what we put first of course. But 90% of the time every action we make, I believe is intended for the betterment of the pigeon, us... then the sport merit.

However, sadly we all sometimes over step the mark with our hopes and 'Maybe's'.

Then all too often gives us a timely warning … Again sadly though too many hopes and maybe's tend to ignore her. So this in it's self has a downward happening.

Edited June 28, 2018 by Roland