Sticking with another fancier of the past we look at a report done some 20 plus years ago on J A Jackson of Lower Peover. Alan Jackson has only had pigeons for the last 13 years although his father used to time in for local fanciers for a good many years. Alan was 18 before he really became involved with pigeons and an interest came about when he had suffered 2 accidents to his eyes, which left him with only partial sight. He had just passed his driving test after loosing the sight of one eye then with the next accident affecting the other eye there was no way that he would be able to drive his car again and living in the country meant that all his previous hobbies could not be continued. He was then introduced into the sport of racing pigeons and soon realised how much enjoyment and satisfaction he could get, a point that helped. He then came to terms with his now present handicap and was given birds when he started by E Hopley, Joe Shaw and T Hazelhurst, along with which came a great deal of help and encouragement. These 3 fanciers were all doing well Mr Hopley was winning well at his distance races while Tom Hazelhurst had been flying pigeons all his life during which time he had put up many creditable performances. Joe Shore at that particular time was one of the finest fanciers in the country for his National performances being second to none. Although the above fanciers have given a great deal help and are all good fanciers Alan rates Denis Gleave as the best around because of his consistency whether it be short races or long distance events. The three fanciers mentioned had mainly distance birds that had the credentials to prove how good they are. Alan also purchased several off A Buckley of Knutsford when he finished racing in 1970, pigeons that were mainly by the Sir William Proctor Smith bloodlines. From the start they performed well especially from the channel races as Alan won the cross channel averages 3 years in succession. In one particular bad race from Niort 487 miles there were only 8 home in the race time 5 of which to these lofts from 7 entered. Positions won were 1st 3rd 4th 6th 8th club 6th 10th 13th fed. In another hard race from Nantes 417 miles only 11 birds made it in race time 4 being to these lofts 2nd 7th 9th 11th. One particular pigeon being a chequer pied cock which was purchased from Mr Buckley had won twice from Rennes for him before Alan broke to his own loft after which he went on to win 3rd Cheshire 2 bird Rennes 6th Cheshire 2 bird Nantes 2nd Club 4th Fed Avranches 3rd Rennes 3rd Cheltenham plus many minor prizes. Another good pigeon in those early days was a Grizzle cock from Joe Shaw that won 2nd Avrnches 4th Nantes 4th Niort 32nd Sec L from Pau the first and only time that this race point was flown from and all three entries were home by Mon morning.
Denis Gleave with J A Jackson
Alan does prefer the middle distance events and during the last 3 years has sent very few birds further than Rennes 357 miles he also likes his y/b racing but considers that they are much better birds in future years if they are trained then possible given either one or two races and stopped. Although a few are picked out to have a go at the longer y/b races but his personal point of view is that 200 miles is plenty far enough for any youngsters to fly. The present day stock is virtually all Busschaert’s which were introduced in 1979 from Henderson and Dent of Lynemouth of Northumberland, Dr J J Horn of Sunderland, both these lofts are known for there super racing performances and there ability to produce champion racers and breeders for others. Alan would like to thank both these lofts for supplying him with so many good birds. The Henderson and Dent are from the best of Tom Larkins who originally put this fancier in touch with Tommy Henderson who has been of considerable help. Also introduced were two hens from Peter Kitching of Borough Bridge. One from the Kavanagh Bros and also exchanged with local fanciers and friends R G Whittaker & Son all of which have done well. Apart from being great racers Alan has found them to be very placid pigeons in side the loft that he has ever experienced. It is a pleasure to the fancier just to open the loft door and go into them as I have found as a stranger to these lofts they did not bother. As to the loft that Alan has had to stop his birds he said, “My first loft was a 6 x 6 garden shed converted with a landing board bob wired all along, the birds used to trap like lightening in that small loft. My present lofts are two 18 x 6 one is a Kidby loft which is my main racing loft with 3 compartments. The other also has 3 compartments one for 8 widowhood cocks, one for later bred youngsters with the other being for stock. I also have a 12ft aviary with a welled mesh bottom running along the back of this loft, which my stock birds can enter at will. I believe that if you have prisoners they must be able to go out into an aviary, even if it is not that big. I emulsion my lofts inside every spring before pairing up Instead of painting my lofts out side I treat them with a cedar wood preservative, this is easy to apply and stops any damp getting into the wood”. These lofts have always been cleaned out with a little lime and sand sprinkled sparingly around which then helps to keep the loft smelling fresh. “I think the most important thing for any loft is to keep the rain out and see that there are no damp patches. In cold weather and especially in winter I believe in closing the loft in but still allowing a flow of air through the loft. In my own loft I have polystyrene sheets, which I can put up very quickly, these keep all the weather out. In the summer time when it is hot and humid you want as much air as possible flowing through the lofts. This year has seen Alan keep more pigeons than he has previously kept. These are made up of a five pair of stock 24 pairs of racers, which shall rear a round 50 to 60 y/bs these are paired up the nearest weekend to the 14th Feb. Alan is a firm believer in line breeding so long as you are getting good quality youngsters possibly ones best racers do not come out of very inbred birds but the next cross out into other lines can produce champions. Pairing up all the birds are given a course of Emtryl Soluble for the prevention of canker and then they are wormed. The y/bs are also wormed before racing because one will not get the best out of the birds unless they are 100% right inside. A balanced diet is also essential and there are products on the market today that will ensure your birds are in good order, all of which are to the fancier’s advantage. Alan feeds his bird a good mix all the year round with plenty of variety amongst the grains. When rearing youngsters old birds are fed in there nest boxes via gallipots with a mix of 75% Maples 25% small maize and wheat. After the moult quite a lot of barley is fed right through the winter they are then hand fed twice a day and are trapped with a seed mix. Young birds are fed on a mix that contains very little maize as this puts too much weight on them if they receive a great amount. A lot of protein is given to young birds as this stimulated growth of bone and also helps to produce good quality feathering. During the moult Alan believes in giving the birds the best possible help otherwise if they do not have a good moult you are not likely to have a good racing season the following year. There are many products available on the market to assist the birds through a good moult and after the main meal Alan gives all his birds a pinch of seed at this time. A few later young birds are reared in June & July when one can rear some quality youngsters but that is a late as they are allowed to rear. If possible Alan said that it is better if they can be trained a little otherwise you can loose them off the loft the following spring which has happened at these lofts on more than one occasion. Pigeons bred at this particulate time of the year are also ideal for stock purposes. If you are about to put any pigeons to stock the main things that are must have as good constitution a well proportioned body with strong back and wings which should then feel nicely balanced in the hand, good quality feathering should also be there. The natural system has always been the order of the day until this year when Alan has tried 8 widowhood cocks the natural environment it creates between the pigeons and owner. In racing this system Alan has had a good team of hens to race, which have always done well in the channel races. Alan is always prepared to try anything new to his own ideas of racing which is why he is having a go at the widowhood system of which he sees many pleasing aspects and to try this system a compartment has been specially made. In order that the birds are fit for the races they are given between 8 and 10 tosses up to 30 miles before the first race, they then get 2 tosses per week at about 15 to 20 miles. The birds do however exercise well around home and do not need a lot of training. The young birds receive as many tosses as possible as long as the weather is suitable, most of all they are not trained in North East winds and hazy days. Possibly the best condition to race a hen is sitting about ten days but Alan has had success with hens on a small youngster. However the cocks are better when the hen has been down on eggs for three or four days. He has had many cocks that have done well in channel racing flying to a big youngster it is all a case of knowing ones pigeons. One is not likely to get the best out of the old birds until they have cast there first flight and as for young birds area concerned Alan has never done any good when they have been paired but if you can get then very tame and attached to yourself then you are on to a winner. Racing these pigeons has given Alan some great times such as on the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd May last year. On the Saturday he was 1st 3rd Fed Weymouth with the Knutsford FC he also sent 6 yearlings to Rennes but they were not up until 6am on Sunday. These pigeons were entered into 3 different clubs Middlewich 2 bird Champion of Cheshire open, Cheshire 2 bird and Lostock Club, 2 dropped together at 12.30 another at 12.35 with 2 more dropping soon after. Alan won the following 3rd Middlewich 2 Bird Champion of Cheshire, 2nd Cheshire 2 Bird 3rd 4th 10th Lostock in all the 4 races that weekend his first bird in each race was the all the Pooler. What advice does Alan consider that he could give to the new starter concerning pigeons “Study the pigeon press and decide which family of birds you would like to try I think you are best to go to some one with a good name out of your area and do not be afraid to ask who ever you buy from about his methods do flying, if he is a true sport he will only be too pleased to give you some tips. Apart from knowing good birds the knowledge to look after them properly is the most important part, having patience to build up your stock. Too many people condemn the family of birds before they have given them a chance. Also if you only have a few birds and put all your eggs in one basket then you can put yourself back 12 months if one meets a bad race. Some fanciers never win much because they neglect there birds at vital times of the year i.e. the moulting time and winter time when they fail to supply the pigeons with there needs.
Other fanciers are very devoted and seem to do everything that they possibly can but the birds are not good enough and appear to be rather reluctant to try something else. I have had fly a ways and know what it is like to loose a team of youngsters. During the past three years I have only let them out at nighttime until they have been trained and have found the method to be the safest. I think the most dangerous time to let them out is on a bright clear morning. One thing I do think is detrimental to pigeons these days is fielding and I personally think you should make every effort to stop them going by supplying plenty of minerals in the loft as well as out side it. I think it is advisable to basket-train youngsters as soon as possible in order that they learn to eat and drink in them. One other point that should be of benefit to all new starters is that I regularly spray my lofts with Vykil”. I was going to include the impressive list of prizes that were won at these lofts but if I did our head would be put in the report some where along the line. One thing that does please Alan in our sport is the way fanciers give support to the various charity sales that are held. Whether someone gives a bird or buys one you are helping someone who is not as fortunate as yourself. I shall finish this report on the side of Alan’s father who has helped a great deal with these birds in order that success comes their way. Although the heading is A J Jackson father and son who have earned a report in the fancy press work these lofts.
