THE PORT NEWS
by Alan Shinton
New days and back to winning ways for Alby Davies & Sons
The second week of the new season saw last week’s third promoted to the top spot in the club but also first West Cheshire Federation in only their second race for this new partnership.
The partnership was formed for the 2013 season. Alby Davies has himself enjoyed an illustrious and successful racing career both at club and federation level having been previously both West Cheshire Points Champion and highest prize winner when partnered by Russ McDonald and flying as Davies and McDonald. However today’s partnership is now family orientated with Alby flying with his two sons namely his eldest son Alan and his youngest son Alby Jnr.
At the end of the 2012 the then partnership of Davies and McDonald who had enjoyed some very gamely success over recent years decided to call it a day due to Alby's health. Alby and Russ had enjoyed success at both fed and national level, so it was sad news to hear that they would no longer be participating within our hobby and as such they commenced to dissolve the partnership and the stock loft was closed and the contents dispersed or offered for sale. So it was the end of an era until the news that Alby's lads Alan and Alby having gained some interest during the previous season due to their dads ill health decided to get involved fully and allow their dad to stay in his hobby but with less work. After Alby senior was diagnosed with Pleurisy and commenced treatment the two lads commenced with readying the birds for the new season.
Not having bred from their old bird race team and having disposed of the stock loft and its contents they were gifted some young birds from close friend, and ace fancier Stan Griffiths along with a rumoured supplement procured from Louella at huge expense ("by the way, this is a secret") to enable participation in the young bird races and so the partnership evolved quite quickly and led by one of the most successful fanciers in the area they set themselves up ready to compete with their old birds.
On finishing third in the first race of the season the partnership had set itself up to improve into poll position on the only there second attempt , which they promptly did. Flying on conventional widowhood the winning cock is a yearling bred from birds gifted originally to Alby from Stan Griffiths, and is a brother to numerous fed winners from this pair. The cock was having only his 2nd race on this system and was pooled all the way so all bodes well for his future racing career when the penny drops so quickly with a yearling. This cock was raced as a youngster on the darkness system.
It is always interesting to see and listen to different methods and how different fanciers set their lofts up to race and the daily regime they employ to achieve their goals, this partnership and loft is by no means different, however what is refreshing is that Alby senior has not imposed himself or his style on the loft he has let the boys led by Alan indulge themselves with regard to the feeding and the day to day management of the loft and birds, so when only in their second race they not only win their club with the correct pigeon they go and top the federation is in itself is a huge achievement for the lads. A very well done and hearty handshakes all around were the order of the day when receiving the news of the federation result and their win, so from all at the Victoria HS a very well done to the boys and long may they continue to move forward during what is basically their first season, we now await with anticipation to see how their secret imports perform throughout the young bird season.
The new successful partnership of Alby Davies and Sons: L to R Alan Davies, Alby Davies (Jnr) And Alby Davies (Snr).
The compact lofts of Alby Davies and Sons - Faraday Lofts
Alan Davies of the A Davies and Sons partnership with his Federation winner
Victoria HS Hereford Result 20th April 2013
Victoria HS Result 16 members sent 471 birds which were liberated into a south west wind from Hereford: 1st A Davies and Sons on 1742 and clocking the correct bird to take all the pools of £112. In 2nd place comes Arthur Wilde on 1735 in 3rd place we have Alan Coombes and Son on 1723. and closing the card places in 4th is Sid Arathoon on 1720.
West Cheshire Fed Hereford Result 20th April 2013
99 Members competed with 2415 birds liberated at 10am into a South West Wind
1 Victoria HS 16 sent 471 birds A Davies and Sons 1742, A E Wilde 1735, A Coombes 1723.
2 Rock Station 17 sent 458 birds S Williams 1739, 1738, R Charles 1733.
3 Willaston 11 sent 363 birds MK Locke 1738, Jones & Thomas 1732, R & R Sandland 1726.
4 Hooton 17 sent 421 birds WH Cottrel & Sons 1737, BV Jones 1732, WH Cottrel & Sons 1717.
5 Neston 11 sent 222 birds G Leighton 1730, C & CD Jones 1724, G Leighton 1719.
6 Chester 10 sent 182 birds Evans & Wright 1720, Shore & Lea 1707, W Walker 1681.
7 Moreton 8 sent 142 birds T Hyland 1718, Mr & Mrs Clare 1716, T Hyland 1714.
8 Christleton 9 sent 156 birds L Moore 1619, Archibald & Picken 1590, D Griffiths 1579.
Celibacy and Jealousy
This will be both hard and easy report to write as its about myself and my methods and the two results I was fortunate to achieve over two following weekends. Writing about oneself can be a little daunting as you attempt to be factual (and let's face it all the information is to hand) but to be modest in your approach to "blowing one's own trumpet" as it were.
Having returned to the hobby after some twenty years away, I raced young birds in 2012 season with some reasonable success, however the measure of a fancier is usually judged on an old bird season and after two races I found myself holding up the sheet with birds returning from the North in tail winds when all around me were getting them on line I started to contemplate my own ability to condition the birds correctly.
Celibacy
From the outset of the season I was somewhat determined to differentiate myself from my fellow club fanciers in as much as the conditioning methods. My local club members who are my competition are probably the same in every club in the land. Most fly the "roundabout" system, we have a couple on "pure widowhood" and some on natural. We may have someone on something different but I am not aware of it and it is quite well hidden secret if there is.
I set my loft up to fly my old birds (all yearlings) on the celibacy system. This involved the installation of "up and over style nest boxes" and I also built 6 bespoke jealousy boxes for my hens. The jealousy system had intrigued me since I witnessed a close friend of mine adopt it some twenty years ago with some great success. The birds are exercised similar to the roundabout system with my birds going out though one section and returning through a trap in another section.
Prior to the season commencing the birds were not allowed to pair up and kept totally separated. The birds were trained separately but I did encounter problems with late hens returning and flying with the cocks and vica versa. During training the birds returned to their sections and were not allowed to mix other than by accident.
Before basketing for race days on the first two races the cocks were locked into their boxes and the hens allowed to roam the loft, I must admit that on these first two races I did let a couple of hens into the boxes just to mix up the system somewhat and see what happens.
My results were poor and finished well down the sheet. The third week we found ourselves at Monmouth (some 103 miles) and the birds liberated into a North East Wind, on reflection it was probably a case that I was on the system opposed to the pigeons, I had been motivated and not them. However when asked at the club the night before the liberation how I thought I would do the next day I commented exactly that, "If the penny drops I have a chance". The penny dropped and I clocked my 08 blue cock to take 1st club 8th West Cheshire Federation winning £110.65. This cock was procured as a youngster and part of six birds from Chris Smith of Scunthorpe and has was 8th Fed Monmouth as a youngster in 2012. Chris has now bred me two club winners and a federation winner. I have since been back to Chris for more youngsters which he has also kindly gifted me a couple from his own stock loft.
This cock had been kept from the hens but can see them, he was one of my fancied pigeons and had shown during the hours before basketing that he is keen on one particular hen, although celibate it was noticeable that rather than drive then hens from within the confines of his box up and down the partition he sat in his bowl and called, It was then I let the hen into him. He was not allowed to tread her and she took the lead trying to drive him. I had other cocks in a similar vein but none sitting in their bowl. He was 6 minutes in front of my second pigeon so it was a motivated performance, which I can now tell you he did not repeat the following week as he acted totally different when the hens were let into his section, he was allowed his hen but just drove her and didn't sit in his bowl, a noticeable difference with a noticeably different result. As the season progresses and we get to the channel races, it is then my intention to change the system by not allowing the cocks to see the hens and to also deprive the cocks of their box in the days leading up to basketing, I will report back on any success or failure. Motivation does not make a bad bird good but it will give you an edge with a good pigeon. Let's hope I have some good ones left come the channel.
Jealousy
The result in the next race although not good for my 08 cock, was another great result for myself. Having allowed my hens into the cocks section with cocks locked in, one hen took over my number 1 jealousy box and showed no interest in the cocks, this went on for half hour, at this stage I took out a cock that had no hens showing to him and placed him in the jealousy box with the hen, she took to him straight away and they were locked into together. Within five minutes another hen appeared on the front of the jealousy box showing to the cock inside driving the other hen (I must say at this point had I not been in the loft I would have not witnessed this). At this point I put the partition back into the box (I had previously removed it) removed the cock and placed the other hen in the other part of the section of the same jealousy box, I then let the cock onto the front of the box driving both hens.
This went on for a period of time if I told you how long I would be lying I was stood intrigued by the hens and the cock and their reaction, I then removed the partition, the one hen immediately attacked the other, at this point I took the second hen out of the box and let the cock into the first hen, I just let the second hen onto the floor of the loft, she immediately flew back up to the box and clung to the plastic front trying to get into the box to the cock and hen. This was such a profound reaction that I took the hen out of the loft opened the trap and let her go from about ten feet from the loft, her reaction was again immediate, only this time she had to go through the trap turn left go up the corridor turn right into the first section an go to the top box, not only did she do this without stopping, I think her feet only touched the clock pad, she flew straight at the box, crashing into and breaking the plastic front, it was then I put her into the basket for the race.
What this hen had done was that profound that I mentioned it to a couple of club mates asking if they had seen such aggression or eagerness themselves, the responses were mixed, however she was then promoted to my top pigeon for the race. The birds were liberated at Frome (147 miles) into a North West Wind, at the home end we waited with some anticipation. She did not disappoint, it became a trapping match between myself and Paul Coombes whom I allow approximately 10 to 12 seconds dependent on the velocity.
My blue hen swung once pitched and trapped, from the time we saw her until the time she trapped was 22 seconds, we know this as we time the trappers across the pad which tells us how much time it takes to trap the birds, Paul had three birds together with our hen who took a wide swing and then another turn which meant we had 16 seconds on him, just enough for our jealous hen to triumph. She was purchased as part of four youngsters from the great Albert Babington and was timed in from the MNFC Chale Young Bird National taking 17th Section in 2012.
I have since tried this out with other birds, but with no success, it would appear that it is a particular kind of pigeon that adapts to the jealousy system, the same week as this hen was aggressive I did the same with two other hens who the opposite and very passive, so much so that they sat in the nest pan both hens and a cock. This I thought would at least motivate one of them if not the three, however it was not to be the cock was my fifth bird and at least ten minutes off the winner so it's back to finding the key once again.
My passive hens in their bowl with their cock
The Good the Bad and the Headache
After it was confirmed that I had won my second club race in succession it was a hasty retreat to the local club for a cider or six, this was the "good" which was to get even better when our secretary and stalwart club leader Morris Thornhill rang to tell me he had been told unofficially that I had topped the West Cheshire Federation with my blue hen, wow six ciders turned to fourteen and I spent every single penny I had on me, what a great night, I told everyone in the club that would listen about my jealous hen and how I had conditioned her to win so that was two people educated on pigeon racing (and they both worked behind the bar), I left the club at 12.45 am to probably the best night's sleep I had had this year.
"The Bad" waking to your alarm during the working week is bad enough but being woke up on a Sunday to get down the loft to take you youngsters off the darkness and check if the one hen I dropped was back was made more sweeter by the fact that you were a fed topper in only your fourth attempt at old bird racing. After leaving the shower and drinking six pints of cold water I made my way to my loft (which is situated three miles from my house). On arrival my lost hen was not back and my phone started pinging on reception of emails and or text messages. After three paracetamol I was ready to check my phone for emails, which were mainly spam, then my text messages which were all congratulatory, except for one, from Morris our illustrious leader to tell me and I quote "Hi Al hold the Whiskey, there is a bird in Chester to beat you". Oh well how many times has this happened to you. For me only the once, thanks to my mate Moe. As we say in Wales - TIDY.
"The Head Ache" how can this be, I have a head ache that can only owned by a fed topper, "not that I know what they feel like", but I can assure you this felt like one, but not to be to disappointed I can now confirm that the hangover was of a fed runner up (but felt like a winner), and to the victor go the spoils so well done Ronnie Dodd and Son for topping the fed, I now owe you one huge hangover Ronnie - cheers Alan.
Old bird racing loft
Jealousy Box (note the sliding - removable partition)
Alan Shinton with his Jealous Hen
The 08 Cock winner of 1st Club 8th Fed Monmouth
56 My Jealous Hen winner of 1st Club Frome 2nd Fed
Victoria HS Monmouth Result 16 members sent 431 birds
In first place we have Alan Shinton timing in at 2.26.23 doing 1231, taking all the pools (£110.65) just holding off founder member of the Victoria Boys Clubs Joe Ellis, who has been knocking the door in all the races to date. In third position is Mr and Mrs A J Price taking yet another card with their top class four year old dark cock. In fourth place we have the consistent Sid Arathoon.
Victoria HS Frome Result 16 members sent 459 birds
First place goes to Alan Shinton with a velocity 1510, just touching off Paul Coombes who takes the second, third and fourth places with velocities of 1508, 1507 and 1506 respectively.
West Cheshire Federation Monmouth 27th April
100 members sent 2447 pigeons. These were liberated at 9.30 am into a North East Wind, which proved a good sign for Bob Tudor of the Willaston club who takes the top three positions in the fed on 1244.972, 1244.561, and 1243.878. Bob clocked his three pigeons within 8 seconds which has provided a brilliant result and an excellent performance for Bob. In fourth position we have Jones and Thomas on 1239, with T Hayes taking fifth and sixth place with velocities of 1235 and 1233. Alan Shinton drops into seventh place on 1231. The consistent Bateman Brothers & Son win the Rock Station club on 1228 and take eighth fed, while Brian Jones wins the Hooton HS and takes 9th position. Tenth fed and second Hooton HS and enjoying another good season is the partnership of WH Cottrell & Son.
Willaston 11 sent 405 birds R Tudor 1244, 1244 and 1243.
Victoria HS 16 sent 431 birds Alan Shinton 1231, Joe Ellis 1226 and Mr & Mrs A J Price 1217.
Rock Station 17 sent 442 birds Bateman Bros & Son 1228, S Williams 1226, Bellis & Grice 1223.
Hooton 18 sent 380 birds BV Jones 1227, WH Cottrel & Sons 1226, BV Jones 1221.
Christleton 8 sent 164 birds D Griffiths 1225, Archibald & Picken 1192, G Pulford 1182.
Chester 9 sent 201 birds R Dodd & Son 1223, Evans & Wright 1216, W Walker 1213.
Neston 12 sent 267 birds G Leighton 1221, CAG Mathias 1217, C & CD Jones 1213.
Moreton 9 sent 157 birds Mr & Mrs Clare 1220 & 1218, J Rixon 1215.
West Cheshire Federation Frome 5th May
The fifth of May saw the West Cheshire Federation liberate at Frome, an average of some 142 to 154 miles into a West Wind. Convoyer Dave Cotgreave estimated a three hour race and with conditions favouring those in the east of the federation it was the shorter flyers who were to prevail. Chester's ontrepenuer Ronnie Dodd and Son take the red card in the Chester HS and the win the Federation doing 1513. Alan Shinton takes the Victoria HS on 1510 with the consistant Warren Walker taking second in the Chester HS and Third Federation. Warren also takes seventh and ninth on 1504 and 1499. Fourth, fifth and sixth positions were occupied by the enigmatic Paul Coombes. Eighth position goes to Joey Ellis of the Vic, with tenth position and winning the red card in the Christleton HS goes D Griffiths on 1492.
Chester 9 Sent 216 birds R Dodd & Son 1513, W Walker 1508, 1504
Victoria HS 16 Sent 459 birds A Shinton 1510, P Coombes 1508, and 1507.
Christleton 9 Sent 182 birds D Griffiths 1492, L Moore 1450, Archibald & Picken 1447.
Rock Station 16 Sent 412 birds S Williams 1490, L Cooke 1479, Bateman Bros & Son 1476.
Neston 12 Sent 265 birds G Leighton 1480, P Leighton & Son 1478, G Leighton.
Willaston 9 Sent 378 birds R Tudor 1479, 1479, and 1478.
Hooton 18 Sent 386 birds BV Jones 1479, G Harrison 1472, M Lonsdale 1464.
Moreton 10 Sent 171 birds P Stewart 1462, Mr & Mrs A Clare 1452, R Lang 1451.
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