KIRSI KOSKINEN OF FINLAND TALKS TO JIM EMERTON
- Tell us about you Kirsi.
Well, I am 47 old home-stay-momma. Have been with our special needs kids for 16 years now…and continuing still strong. My husband is 48 and working from his home-office due Covid19.
- What is the pigeon sport like in Finland?
I started May 2021, so I have been learning how to feed and take care of my racing pigeons properly. I bought 10 YBs May 2021 and have been reading and searching a lot. I have not any experience racing these beauties, but they are superb since the hawks haven’t had any as their prey. I am not so familiar with the sport thing yet, and do not know much about the history here in Finland, but it used to be very small amount of Finnish gentlemen who had enthusiasm for pigeon racing. After that we have had many who moved from middle east and have had pigeon keeping established in their new home country, too. Since those times Covid has changed a lot. More and more people (men and women) are buying their own birds, chickens, ducks and pigeons. Most of us still work from home and covid way of life has caused that there is little more free time and people want to make their animal keeping dreams into reality. There is One Loft competition coming and I will be sending my team there maybe March 2022. There are other club competitions too, but my first season had so many losses that I prefer learning more, before thinking about club races. Racing here quite small, and no money is involved. But trophies yes and also pigeon product prices.
- How did you start with white racers?
It is a kind of funny story. And maybe a bit peculiar too. I believe in God’s guidance and saw a vision of white doves flying and blue sky. At that time I made a blue silk flag. It was September 2018. I had no clue that there actually is white pigeons here in Finland. Later 2020 I saw again the same view, but there were 9 white pigeons released by me on our backyard. Since I already had some birds (finches and ducks) I thought that this means I should have white pigeons, too. Same year I saw racing pigeons first time ever here in Finland. Was amazed that these creatures actually exist. 2021 May I bought my first loft (wooden play house) and 10 white racing pigeons. Now I have two lofts and 32 white racing pigeons.
- Are you learning how to race them Kirsi?
Summer time I learned some. But there were a shooting incident at the lake near by us in the beginning of June and I lost 6 birds, they were on their evening flight. Have bought more birds now, also 2019 stock birds. So this spring I will be having my own YBs, from my white stock birds. There is still a lot to learn. But I know a bit more every week.
- How do you keep them so pure and white and healthy?
I have learned a lot from my new friend, that used to own these white pigeons. Hygiene level of the loft is one very important thing. Taking poops down every day, having good food and minerals and vitamins and gritt. Not too crowded in loft. Good air. Bathing (water and pigeon bathing salt) once in a week. I use all the additional stuff that my new friend Ismail Haji used to use 3 times per week, to keep them in good condition. I think that if they are healthy and the loft hygiene is high, and they have possibility to take a bath keeps them white enough. I also try always to make things working better. Routines etc. Trying to find out what is best for my white racing pigeons. They also keep their feathers nice and clean themselves, if everything else in the loft works fine.
- Will you race the birds this year?
Yes. Ismail Haji, will be organizing One Loft race, and I will be sending one team of white 10 YBs there.
- Are pigeons kept in clubs in your area?
There is only one club at the moment. I am a member there, but there has been so many pigeons lost there that I feel like I need to learn much more before seeing how they race their birds.
- Do you read my pigeon books?
No, just found out about the books today first time, but will order them, because there is so much to learn.
- Have you friends who are pigeon people?
I did not have any. But got plenty after I bought my first racing pigeons.
- What is your job?
I used to work as a scientist at the university before my kids came into picture.
- Who are the famous pigeon people you know about?
I do not know many. But I know my new friend Ismail Haji has bred almost 90% of racing pigeons here and has been pigeon fancier from birth. Here people do not race so that there would be any money involved. Maybe that is one of the reasons we haven’t had many competitions here. More like a hobby than a race?
- Do you love nature?
Yes. And birds.
- Please comment on anything else you like.
I like to take photos and short videos of my pigeons. Many here have not ever seen white pigeons before, they do not know these exists - and I also hope there will be more people having pigeons as a pet.
- Are you competitive as a lady with your birds?
Hopefully time will tell. I value these gems a lot. It still amazes me how have I got so lucky and have all these beauties. I want to keep them fast, healthy, strong and happy.
