L.J Parkinson
I suppose it had to happen, a BOP took one of my special introductions, not that I haven't brought in some specials because I have a few that visitors have said are something special. I have heard that the BOP's are continuing to increase in their attacks of out racing pigeons. What gets me is we have up to 5 strays, depending on the time of day and what the weather is like hanging around the solar panels on the roof. I have not seen them disappear, they continue to hang around and annoy me. It was the same with racing, they always turned up on a Saturday to my annoyance. Probably a case of they are wise to the BOP's and know how to stay out of their way or is it a case of they don't taste as good. From what I have heard in recent years we are lucky around here not to have more of them. They are a problem that are here to stay and no matter who the sport puts pressure on things will never change, racing pigeons don't have the power to change anything when it comes to BOP. I have not been racing for a few years so I am not totally up to date where they are taking the most birds, no doubt a few will claim that problem goes to their area. I know Peter Latham has had a few taken in recent years, how much that has been attributed to the trees that were behind his lofts. However, that has now changed because the trees have now been removed, which has also taken away the perches in the trees where his pigeons could often be seen.
Meetings
We have an interesting period coming up with the meetings and who is going to do what next season. Middlewich has a big change with Dave & Linda Healy resigning their positions with the Middlewich 5B and word is they are going to race in the Winsford club. Also, from the 5B Mr & Mrs Niblett have resigned and left the sport as they no longer have pigeons. I was talking to Doug about the reasons he was leaving the sport and he said he could not do justice to the pigeons so he felt he could not carry on. He was saying it was always nice to see pigeons coming from the races so I have suggested he comes around here to watch these come, which he said he will do next season. There will only be yearlings to see racing home to Elimar Lofts but there are always some good yearlings about, maybe a few to send to the early National races. Local members had a get together on Saturday 11th November for an informal chat to see what could be done to improve racing in the town. I hear there was some positivity with the get together, will it solve anything, I don’t know but well done to those who attended, anything that comes out of it is better than nothing at all. I hear that come January the local clubs are having an informal get together one Sunday afternoon with a few drinks and a bite to eat at the Boars Head Middlewich. No matter what we do we all still need to move forward and try and stop the decline in the sport. Will that happen I don’t think it will because there are not enough younger people entering the sport. It used to be a case of handing down from Dad to children but that is not happening nowadays, there is too many other things to attract the younger generation. We were recently talking to a couple whose lad was a bit of a loose cannon and pigeons were mentioned. I said a lot of the younger generation would be better off with a pigeon loft in the back garden and they wouldn’t be roaming the streets carrying knives with some never returning home. I got a reply, “That’s a good point”.
New starter.
It looks as if Ebony has started a trend, Aunty Liz who many will have spoken to when making payments to Elimar, saw the fancy-coloured ones on the auction site and placed a bid on one of them. What was she going to do with one, get husband Alan to make a bit bigger than rabbit size nesting box in the back garden for a pair. Later in the day Alicia and family arrived and we were talking about what Lizzie was going to do. After a short time, Alicia’s daughter Evie picked Miky Way out and placed a bid. This was a hen so could go to the Almond cock that Aunty Liz was bidding on. I knew the answer to my next question before I asked "What are you going to do when they start breeding" I knew it, "Put them in your loft and race them" First Ebony who did spend time with them and had them eating out of her hand and even took the first 4 in the club in the first northeast wind we had with the in the young bird races. Going to have a garden full watching for pigeons at this rate, mind you we are better off watching for pigeons in our garden next door, you can see them come better with there being a wider view. We also have a photo of Ebony’s brother Graysen holding a stray that he caught while out with his mates in Liverpool, don’t think he will make a pigeon man.
Healthy
Hi Elimar. I'm just curious, as an old past fancier I have quite a few feral pigeons that enjoy rummaging under my garden bird feeders and mostly they usually all look in extremely good condition, healthy, good body weight and many calling and looking for a mate etc. How is it that these feral pigeons thrive without all the medications and feeding additions that many modern fanciers pump, (in my opinion unnecessarily), into their birds? They not only look well but are seemingly healthy and thriving. I'm thinking that if a colony of birds are allowed to develop immunity to various ailments, given that there will be casualties along the way, then perhaps for many fanciers less medication would be very helpful? Thanks Sam. LJP. With so many feral pigeons about on churches etc this is a point raised many times and there is a simple answer. Feral pigeons might very well be healthy to do what they are doing, but on the other hand are they fit to compete in races against pigeons that have been prepared and treated to do a job, I don’t think so. We see it in humans when it comes to competition those who have put the time and effort in are generally the winners. Their trainers do of course make sure they have a proper balanced diet, and where there are winners there is increased competition. On the other hand, there are people who try but never make the highest grade, we cannot all be winners, no matter how hard we try. There are some very determined fanciers out there who through experience have raised the bar when it comes to racing pigeons. That’s the difference between feral pigeons and racing pigeons that are prepared to do a job. It’s knowing what and when to give vitamins, tonics even medication to improve performance and feral pigeons don’t get that as they fly around the towns and cities. No matter where in the world you go there are feral pigeons and that is never going to change. They exercise for most of the day in short spells when they are disturbed, but compete in the way racing pigeons do, they are not going to do it because the fittest and healthiest will survive and rise to the top. Out there in the wild it is a case of process and elimination; this is something pigeon fanciers do but in other ways. Sam. Hi. Thanks for your thoughts on this. Though, wouldn't you think a virus, say, paramyxo would wipe many out? (the ferals). One of the things we do see today is far more use of meds etc. Many fanciers I read about routinely dose on a regular basis even when there's no sign of ailments. It dilutes robust natural immunity, possibly? I often wonder if this overuse of meds contributes to losses. Glad to read you are racing again. Regards Sam.
Meetings.
Had a call from Melvin Bratt about an upcoming meeting for the South West Cheshire Federations A.G.M. will be held on Monday 4th.December at 7.30. for 8.00. Also heard that the Middlewich 5B will be holding their AGM on Monday 8th January 2024 at 7pm. The club have a new secretary Lesley after Linda Healey resigned. Linda and Dave did a good job for, but their spell has come to an end, so thanks to them for the years of looking after the club.
Les Parkinson. 11 Rushton Drive, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0NJ.
Tel: +44 (0)1606 836036. Mob: +44 (0)7871 701585.
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web site: http://www.elimarpigeons.com