THE GREATEST DIFFICULTY IN PIGEONS
by Jim Emerton
The current accent is on win, win, win, performance, performance! This is worthy of a question - just what has been won and at what level of difficulty??? We find our own levels of aspiration and success do we not? For many the target is to maximise the numbers of firsts in club/federation or what is called national racing. In my mind’s eye, there is a phenomenon which transcends the world of pigeon racing. It is the creation of your OWN family or strain of all related birds. I started mine in 1976 and continue to work on them under the management of good men and lofts. So far related birds have scored from 31 to 879 miles, and attempts are contemplated to extend the concept further, under the general maxim of bigger, better, further. It is all very idealistic, yet keeps good fanciers focused and motivated and rejuvenates the gene base of the good old strain. Practicing the science and art of breeding has been the most profound experience of my pigeon career.
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Elimar - January 2014
