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JIMMY WOOD OF UDDINGSTON by Tom Corrie On Saturday 7th January, I paid a visit to the lofts of Jimmy Wood of Uddingston. Jim has kept pigeons since the age of 10, but joined the big Uddingston and District Homing Club in 1971. The Club was very strong at the time with excellent birdage (500-700 birds in the early part of the season).
Jim Wood and son Andrew holding two of their favourites. Jim enjoyed an excellent season in 2011 winning the inland, young bird and combined averages, plus other trophies for best average at certain races. But I do not have to highlight Jim too much as he has been a good pigeon fancier all his days, winning the Lanarkshire Federation Young Bird averages twice, on one of these occasions with a team of only 24 birds, also he was Lanarkshire Social Circle Young Bird average winner in 1993. In the early 80s, Jim flew a fantastic team of Verheye x Lefebre/Dhaenens and Silvere Toye birds from Louella Lofts but nowadays he is focusing on building a strong team of distance birds. Being already a winner of 1st and 3rd West Section prizes from S.N.F.C. Gold Cup races, he seems to be on the right track but everything takes time in building up a team of birds to go to these events. In 2011, Jim had very few losses and this helps a little in this process. Most of the birds housed are dark cheq, small/medium in type with lovely silky feathering. I asked Jim to give us a wee insight into his loft management.
Blue hen (7 years old) 05, bred by Tuck Hilley (Plains) from stock of George Macaloney & Son (Coatbridge). Camphius Janssen, which was gifted to Willie Millen (Cambuslang) – where she won for Willie. 2005: 3rd Section – S.N.F.C. Y/B National – Leicester 24th Open Lanarkshire Fed – Maidstone 34th Open Lanarkshire Fed – Maidstone When Willie gave up the sport, he gifted me the hen and since she has won: 69th Section S.N.F.C. – Eastbourne 10th Open Lanarkshire Fed, 12th Section S.N.F.C. – Eastbourne At 6 years old. Also 12th Section – Otterburn (1,586 birds) 2011 plus other Club prizes. She’s a fantastic hen. Cash winnings total over £2,000. Question: Strain Answer: Base family were purchased from Robert Venus, Belgium (Brugemanns) with a few select birds purchased from David Impett, Blackpool (Aarden based families – extreme long distance pigeons), to cross in. Q: Pairing Times A: All stock birds are paired at the end of January, with race team being the end of February. Q: Medication - Parmyxo vaccinated A: Old birds before pairing – Cankered with Belgmagic tablets then before racing (3-4 weeks) Cankered Belgamagic tablets and also for respiratory with Ornicure. Q: Young Bird Medication A: All young birds are vaccinated at 3-4 weeks, cankered (Belgamagic) and for respiratory (Ornicure) before training starts.
Jim's range of lofts Q: Feeding A: All birds, both old and young, are raced on Versele Laga best all round mixed with Gerry Plus. Fed in wooden troughs on the floor with no measured amount applied. If they keep clearing the food put down, more is put down until appetite is satisfied. Q: Additives to water A: No vitamins are added to the water but, the birds do get Pigeon Tea twice a week, winter and summer. Also, on a Saturday, when returning from a race, grain is moistened with garlic oil, with Brewers yeast applied. Vanodine (18) in drinkers on Sat-Sun (anti-bacterial agent). Q: Winter Feeding A: Usually the same feed but after the moult 25% barley is added. Q: Training A: I was fortunate enough to purchase a training unit from Derek Hay, which holds around 500 birds, all fitted with grills. I use this to train the birds with about another 10 fanciers using it also. It has been a great asset in keeping the birds fit. We usually start 3 weeks before the first race, as many as possible up to the 1st race. Then, when racing starts it’s usually 2-3 times weekly (approx. 30-40 miles). Sometimes we liberated alongside Newmains training van, from Meldons (30 miles) and Innerleithen (40 miles).
Dark Cheq hen (50% J. Allan x Brugemanns), winner of: 2006: 1st Club, 6th Section, 10th Open Fed – Huntingdon (289 miles) Also 22nd Section, 75th Open Fed – Maidstone (360 miles) 1st Region (E) 1st West Section, 53rd Open S.N.F.C. Gold Cup race from Alencon (540 miles) After this she was put in the stock loft where her children and g/children are winning. This hen has won over £2,000 in racing.
Q: Young Bird training A: Last year, the young birds had 12 tosses before the 1st race. All young birds are raced natural. Training usually starts 3 weeks before the 1st race. I like to give them plenty of short tosses (12-15 miles) to build their confidence up and then, once I’m happy how they are coming along, it's on to 30-40 mile tosses. Once racing starts, usually twice a week during this time.
Q: Loft Hygiene A: All lofts are scraped twice daily and sprayed with a good disinfectant on a regular basis. All young birds sit on perches with pull out drawers, so that droppings can be inspected in the mornings to determine the state and health of the birds.
Q: Your pet hates A: The Peregrine problem, say no more, and young bird sickness, which I have experienced. I usually light feed and add Belgamco to water until the birds recover.
Q: Influential fancier(s) A: The late Jock Allan (Symington).
Q: Recent introductions A: Albert Willems (Eisden, Belgium) of the Harry x Rodger Wijnandes of Masstricht, of the blue Van-Oppen distance lines.
A big thanks to Jim for showing me his excellent team of pigeons and I wish him all the best for the 2012 season.
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