South East Ireland
with
Billy Walsh
Winter musings on Pigeons and Suncreen.
Birds are all down. The 2 yo and up were mated December 1st and were chipping eggs over the Christmas and New year with a near perfect hatch. The unexpected frost hit a few eggs from the birds that went down later on. Heaters are here but had not yet been installed but that will be in place for 2018. These things, while not essential, are most definitely a terrific aid to winter breeding. Which is what we essentially do these days. I know many fanciers that have their stock birds parted in spring time just as the lambs are springing up and around on the Comeragh Mountains.
Now what to write about this week given it is Friday and I need to get it away shortly. Will I have anything at all to say in the short time available? It's a worry to be sure, with so many distractions this week in the loft. But I'll start and, hopefully, something will emerge. I make no promises, however. Uncertainty abounds this week.
In conversation with one of my best mates in pigeons, he suggested, you need to write a bit more about your own pigeons. Ryan Gadsdon, one of the most knowledgeable fanciers I have encountered and surely one of the top lofts on the London North Road scene. People like to read about that kind of stuff, says he. Pass on some of your wisdom, says he, no doubt with a twinkle in his eye on the other end of the phone.
So here we go, ladies and Gentlemen of the class of 2017. Here are some of the things I have come to understand. In pigeons and life.
Wear Sunscreen. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists. Whereas, the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of Ad Schaerlaeckens. Trust me. In 20 years you will look back at the writings of Ad and recall in a way you can't grasp now the possibilities that lay before you. You are not as fat as you imagine.
Don't worry about last week's race. Worrying is about is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real problems in pigeons are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind. The kind that blindsides you on some idle Tuesday or on basket night.
Dance. Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own loft.
Forget the insults you receive. Remember the congratulations. If you succeed in doing this, let me know how.
Don't be reckless with other people's pigeons or put up with people who are reckless with yours. You have a duty to your fellow fanciers to ensure your birds are healthy. Act out of sportsmanship.
Keep away from vets. And that includes people who know vets, who went to school with vets, who are in business with vets or anyone who might happen to meet a vet while out buying the Sunday paper. If you see a vet lying on the street you have an obligation to your fellow fanciers to step over him. Too many are pocket emptiers and panhandlers of one kind or another.
Keep your old prize cards. Throw away your old bank statements.,
Oh don't get me wrong, I was as big an idiot as you were 2 years ago. Having been out of the sport so long I was persuaded the pigeon sport was in the midst of an epidemic. A pandemic. There is sickness everywhere. Uncertainty abounded. I was in danger of becoming another Howard Hughes. Disease is rife. Slogans suck as "You have to be prepared". And this one, I love this one. "If you're treating then you're already too late". Scared me shitless that did. I had closets filled with kleenex and Detol. It gets to the point you're wearing a condom while out walking your dog. Just in case. But never knowing just what "just in case" means. But you sure know it scares the hell out of you.
Floss.
Big Fat Zero. I made the decision to stop treating the stock for anything. Nothing. Zilch. Nada. Big fat zero Mama. Vaccinate yes but other than that l let them be. And it is the best decision I made yet. Other than giving up Jesus. I haven't had a bird look sorry for itself since, well I can't remember since when. I have not been the cause of grotesque suffering or brought eternal damnation on my neighbours. There has been no plague of fiery-eyed locusts descending on the village of Kill. No burning crucifix in my front garden. I am not visited by men wearing pillow cases and shotguns. New birds that come in I know precisely where they have come from and have been left to mature until I am satisfied their own immunity system is as robust as can be before bringing them in. If I ever do have an issue then I will treat but so far I have had no reason to do so and I do not expect any. I appreciate it can be a scary prospect when you've been accustomed to being scared out of your wits and hard won cash. But It's definitely easier than quitting cigarettes and religion. And I've managed both. Yes, it was a weaning process in many ways. But then the time comes and you know you've had enough. Quitting is the easiest thing you will ever do once you reach that point. In fact, it is so easy you welcome quitting. It then becomes a habit in itself. Looking for the nonsense you can do without in your life. I am pretty sure I am on the correct path. And I feel far more relaxed about it even if I am not.
Stretch. Keep nimble. You never know when ETS will be banned.
Treat. The yb are treated for canker on weaning. This is essential due to the stress imposed. Currently, I use metronidazole tabs 100 mg per day for 4 days. Why this dose>? Because the capsules I have are 400 mg and I break them in 4. Into 8 would be too messy. 250mg broke into 4 were just as effective when I had them that strength. The youngsters are of course vaccinated. I do it a few days before weaning as it helps to trigger their one immune system into action. Then repeat after 4 weeks. This year I intend to vaccinate them against paratyphoid. No particular reason other than Brian Bolton suggested it at night with the stars as an important barrier to young bird sickness. I haven't suffered it yet thankfully so I am possibly going against my own inclination on the matter. But I am going to try it anyway. What the hell, it might help me get lucky.
Educate yourself. This is one of the big 3 you don't want around. Strep, Paramyxo and paratyphoid. The unholy trinity. Strep is something definitely on the increase and very many are unaware of its existence. Now I do not mean to scare you. Medicating pigeons for no reason weakens their immunity. Wrecks their natural health. The solution is to ensure you don't get these issues in the first place. If you do get any of these you have no option but to cull. No medication will save you. Strep is treatable but you are never quite sure "have I got it all". Reports I have read suggest it can inhabit the loft itself but I freely admit I have not studied it as much as I mean to. But I will get around to it soon as I plan to devote an article to it shortly. In any event, it is to be avoided at all costs. But! Your birds your call.
Medication has a place. Especially in the race team. But too often misplaced. A dry loft with proper ventilation and plenty of space for the birds. Good diet. I should repeat that. Diet. Diet is far more important than medication. Not simply the choice of grains. If fanciers knew as much about diet as they do about antibiotics they would be far wealthier and their birds far healthier. You will save enough to enough to take your missus out at the weekend. Or someone else's missus. Better still. So your love life will be the healthier too, without your usual medication. It's a win-win situation.
Diet. See, I did repeat it. Children in general today are far taller than their grandparent because of improved diet. Many however are obese and will suffer as a result of poor diet. Do not underestimate the importance of diet.
Don't waste your time on Jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead. Sometimes you're behind. The race is long, and in the end, it is only with yourself.
Get Plenty of Calcium. Calcium is essential to all animals. What the pigeons don't use, take it for yourself.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what distance you want to succeed at. The most interesting fanciers I know did not know at 30 what distance they wanted to succeed at. Some of the most interesting 70 year-olds I know still don't.
Be kind to you knees. You'll miss those when they're gone. Unless you have a grandson who is useful with a scraper.
Maybe you'll fly long distance. Maybe you won't. Maybe you'll produce champions. Maybe you won't. Maybe you'll quit the sport early or maybe you'll dance the funky chicken at Les Green's 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself too much either. Your choices are half chance, so are everyone else's.
Enjoy your body. Figure that out for yourself.
Race your hens. This is the future. The results now being achieved with hens are remarkable. It is also far simpler and less time-consuming. Makes your life easier so you have more time for your missus. Or someone else's missus. It's a win-win situation.
Do not read Belgian magazines. They will only make you feel inferior.
Understand that friends come and go. But a precious few you should hold on to. Make the effort to bridge the gaps in Geography because the older you get the more you will need people who knew you before you had an ETS.
Travel.
Race in the Up North Combing once. But leave before it makes you .....hard. Race in Munster once. But leave before it makes you..... soft.
Accept certain inalienable truths. Generally, you should buy only young birds. Neither party knows its prospects and so honesty is assured. But otherwise, prices will rise, power will corrupt, you too will get old. And when you do you will fantasise that when you were young, people were honest, pigeons were cheap and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders. Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a wealthy partner in the sport. Maybe you have a good friend who gives you from his best. But you never know when either one will run out.
Don't mess too much with your loft. Or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy. But be patient those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of dishing up up the old V-perches from the disposal, wiping them off, painting over the ugly parts, and recycling them for more than they are worth.
Trust. So there it is. Take what you will from it. We did get to the end. You always knew I would, didn't you? Though you never can be quite sure.
But trust me on the Sunscreen.
Prometheus.
