Lanarkshire News - Graham Brothers winners of the Old Bird Averages, Lanarkshire Federation 2025.
On 16th September, in the company of Tom snr, we travelled to the village of Law on the south side of the federation, to complete a loft report on Lanarkshire Federation Old Bird Average Winner, Andy Graham.
Andy Graham.
Winning the Old Bird Averages over the twelve week programme with 165 members, sending just under 30,000 birds, is a very impressive reading in anyone's book!
He also finished 2nd in the Combine Averages in the Lanarkshire federation, 46,800 pigeons over the race programme.
Starting in sport.
Andy originates from Muirhead and initially kept "pouter pigeons" at the family home, however, due to his loft frequently getting broken in to, him and his two brothers Charlie and Gordon, changed to keeping racing pigeons instead. When Andy got married he built a 24ft loft in Muirhead and raced with brother Charlie with some success before moving to South Lanarkshire.
Andys watching area overlooking the lofts
Andy started racing in Lanarkshire federation, joining the Carluke club, in 2019-2020 .Before this he was a member of South Lanarkshire Independent club 2014. Andy feels he gets the best out of the sport supporting both clubs .
The back garden set up is a very impressive, self-built racing loft. The main racing loft is 62 ft x 9ft, grills throughout with eight sections.
Loft set Up
The main racing loft incorporates 8 sections for the racers, two sections with racing boxes and the others with a variety of perches for the cocks, hens and youngsters.
Racing Loft
The stock pigeons have their own large loft with aviary.
Avarie's are available to each section
Management of pigeons
The old birds are raced on the celibate system with both sexes coming together on race marking nights for one hour.
The young birds are split once sexed and the sliding door system is used on basketing night.
They are road trained up to the second race, thereafter they are loft flagged (Black bin bags used as flags) for 45-60 minutes twice per day.
Andy has used both road and loft flying systems over the seasons, but feels the birds perform better on the loft flying.
The process includes letting each section out separately which can take around 3 hours per session, morning and evening.
The birds are put out section at a time, allowing Andy time to clean out the section, thereafter he returns to the house before the birds see him. The system is, they are either in the air or resting in the loft!
Medication and Supplements
Canker treatment in the form of Ronidazole for 5 days before breeding
Ivermectin for internal/external mites
Colombovac for PMV
Supplements include Frazers Strike and Probiotics used throughout season..
Numbers kept.
26 pair of stock pigeons are kept with the first two round of eggs being switched under the racers.
The racers mating is staggered to allow this egg switching.
Around 90 OB racers were raced this season between both clubs. After Kettering (270 Miles) he concentrated on the Lanarkshire races.
110 YBs were reared for racing with105 making the cut. After the YB programme, 80+ were left for next season.
Stock loft & racing section, housing the cocks & Hens racing section
Feeding Programme
As Andy states - Fat pigeons win nothing!
The best available feeds are used.
Feeding -
Breeding ,Bamfords Super Breeding and Breed & Wean is used
Racers -Hens receive Vanrobeyes Lady mixture no 56
Cocks -Gerry plus and Sports light with Sport mix
Vanrobeyes Fat mix No 35 is used when required for both sexes.
Andy is very precise with what the pigeons eat, he is regimental and gives a measured amount of around 1 1/4 oz of feed split between the exercise periods.
On Thursday the pigeons receive a little more food.
Friday they receive half their usual amount mid-morning.
Most important thing Andy believes is routine!
Weekly programme
Saturday On return from race they get Electrolytes and Honey in water.
Spirulina powder on the Sports/Gerry mixture with Garlic, Parsley and Linseed oil. Birds receive their fill.
Sunday he mixes up a litre of Glubber salts, Epsom salts, Medicated Creasotte & Ferrous Sulphate. One cap per litre to the drinker.
Monday to Thursday Light racing mixture -Thursday and Friday ,Red Cell in water and used for 3 days when they reach 250 miles and over.
Hugo, the 24/7 guard dog.
Bloodlines raced
Merlin lines down out of WLG out of Son of Mr Magic
Vandenabeele out of Halls Hero lines
Jan Aarden from Steve Wright Herman Custers
Leo Hermans
Marley Westop Distance lines
Top Results
4 x 1st section Lanarkshire federation
2 x 1st Open Lanarkshire Federation
10 positions in top 100 of Lanarkshire federation from 337 miles.
Stars of 2025
Dark Grizzle C -GB 23 S 68684 -1st Sect, 1st Open Brighton, 375 miles
Blue H -Su 23 L 6951-1st sect, 1st Open Leicester 245 miles
Cheq H -Su 23 L 6920 -1st Sect, 2nd Open, Billericay ,337 miles
1st Open Brighton a Marley Westop, Dark Grizzle C
Thoughts for future
Continue to progress in sport
What would Andy like to see
Lanarkshire and National to incorporate some of their race programme to stop fanciers having to split their teams at the distance races.
The YB programme of a more Central location starting at St Boswell or Kelso working through to Wetherby.
Andy lives and breathes pigeons and gets the rewards for all his hard work and dedication to his sport.
Thanks to Andy for a very enjoyable time!
Tom Corrie jnr
Lanarkshire Press Officer
