Basic Objectives

BASIC OBJECTIVES OF THE SPORT

The initial essence, with love of the birds is usually winning races. There is applied knowledge and skill to this practice and the rewards are often psychological with recognition by peers and any associated publicity in the media. Club top prize winner is a worthy aspiration and then ambition may move you forward from there, yet you will not forget the hard, early slog to your background and the characters encountered on the way. The discerning eye can see the impact of creating a racing or breeding champion which is an example to the sport and this is a tantalising target to aim for. I emphasise the personal approach to the sport since that will dictate the level at which you and the birds function. The highest echelon of racing is at the International level from competition within a National organisation like The BICC and this is open to any bone fide members who want to have a go, well worth the effort, as it will alter your perception of racing pigeons. Objectives help to organise and motivate your efforts in life.

 

Jim Emerton

 

 

BASIC BLUEPRINT FOR RACING

Much can be achieved from the small, back garden loft and stock loft with aviary. A nice little set up can be say 15 pairs of stock, breeding 50 ybs. and racing them for pleasure, with focus on some cards. If you apply yourself you will learn as you go through trial, error and experiment, as you develop a more competitive system of management. Years can be gained via the help of a kindly mentor to teach you pigeon lore, with hardcore learning through practical experience. As good as you may become, you will depend in the races that count, on the basic ability of the bird, found via racing. Fortunate is the man with producer pairs, the golden birds of myth and legend, they do exist outside of the publicity machine. Take the yearlings out as far as you dare and see what distances suit you and the birds. Today the local clubs are cauldrons of competition and colourful characters still exchange banter and eccentricities. Over time you may find a comfort zone and enjoy a long and enduring career in birds.

 

Jim Emerton

 

 

BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE MOULT

The natural renewal of the feathers, to assist flight, body temperature and overall survival condition of the bird in nature. I like a rich diet high in oil foods and proteins as it is a stressful period in the life cycle of the bird. Our ybs. are all free wheeling about, growing, resting and moulting, in fresh air and plenty of baths, no road training is now needed. Monitor the progress as a shiny smooth, complete moult is needed with no checks and frets, watch for birds that stick in the moult as they may be ill or weak. By Jan. the flights should be developed and observe the health of any late hatches as they are prone to invasion by diseases. Small down feathers are shed at different times of the year. In the good old days, the old boys raced natural ybs. right through to the end of Sept. to around 200 miles, today many are stopped short of this. A natural, physiological process with psychological/survival implications.

 

Jim Emerton

 

 

FASHIONS AND CRAZES IN PIGEONS

Some fanciers and their birds, all of mixed and various origins hit the limelight in a wave of popularity. They become the must have birds of the moment and many are sold until the market is almost saturated. Attached to each bird is a dream an aspiration of better and greater things. In days gone by Denney did let me have some birds from his best in 88 and 90 and I do like the performance level of Padfields Invincible at Barcelona Int. However, I persist with my old strain, which is able to produce a few champions both breeding and racing. We stand firm in the face of temptation to buy into the popular movement, fuelled by some well publicised results. The key to strain building is to create your own over at least 25 years of progeny testing at all levels and the secret to good results is in the care and management of the birds you breed and race. It is imperative to be advised by a top fancier, if you can’t achieve success on your own. I learned from practice and trial and error and from research into the words of the good and great. Some do make the grade and today’s stars become yesterday’s icons and historical figures. It is wise to be careful before you part with your cash and give a lot of thought to the flying system, as the fancier makes the birds, they race on the strength of sound practice, loft and environment at the home end. The old distance men said look in the mirror. However a strain does need occasional fresh intros of high quality origin. I like the work of Dave Delea whose last intro was 1982-now that is inbreeding, just look at his records in racing!.

 

Jim Emerton

 

 

BASIC ARGUMENTS WITHIN THE FANCY

Wherever different people meet arguments will ensue, in an attempt to show who is right and wrong. A lot of it is subjective opinion supported by a few facts. Many questions are debated; is sprint racing better than distance, who are the best at it and why? Another one is which is the greatest bird? Be it natural or widowhood, results stand the test of time as historical and archive documents, open to analysis and scrutiny. Mob flying, overfly, loft location, inbreeding and strain of the day are all fuel for heated debate, argument and personality led. It all makes the pigeon culture a stimulating, diverse and rich place, with the emergence of some colourful characters. I notice a softening of attitudes towards the weather, less strain development and an influx of Barcelona International birds, although few people chance their arm at over 800 miles with good reason. At the heart of many feelings is the bird of prey issue and there will be many arguments and developments in this field, since many people are affected seriously by it, round the loft and in training and racing. A lead may be the future recognition of domestic racing pigeons as livestock, with associated rights of protection.

 

Jim Emerton

 

Basic Natural System

This will vary from person to person, depending on circumstances and aerial predation by hawks and falcons. The key is open loft flying, all seasons, all weathers and the timing of the nest cycle to meet the demands of racing. A pure and simple way is to train the birds through actual racing and the old boys would target the 500 mile on the day race and a few people beyond that point. We still practice it now, with modern, sophisticated feeding and some periods of separation during the season to delay the moult and enhance the condition. Some birds, brought along slowly by the system can get 800 miles-all down to the fancier/system and bird. Birds on this free flying system are a joy to watch around home and bring much pleasure to the person in charge-

 

 

Jim Emerton