STOPKA BROS
of Stafford
chatting to Les Parkinson
For quite some time I have been trying to get the information together for a report on the Stafford-based partnership of Stan and Peter Stopka. That time has finally arrived so I sent a questionnaire over to the partnership to fill in so that there was not too much pen-pushing when we arrived. What I do like about this partnership is that they are looking for strong competition to test their pigeons unlike so many who are running to weaker places to win a few cards. Competition is what makes good pigeons and good fanciers, which is the way forward in the sport. It was not the best of mornings for taking photos: when we left home the sun was shining but as we covered more miles on the M6 the weather changed. Anyway it was nice to see Peter and Stan who have a nice set up that is made up of two lofts. As expected, when we visit such fanciers there are a few stories to hear, but with the questionnaire there is plenty to read. When we were back in the car Elizabeth said ‘The loft smelt right’.
Peter & Stan with Les Parkinson (rt)
Please introduce yourself and tell us how you got started in the sport.
My name is Stan Stopka and my brother is Peter and we race pigeons as Stopka Brothers. We first got into racing pigeons through our dad and we have raced pigeons for as long as I can remember. We have had pigeons for at least 50 years but joined together as Stopka Bros in 1995. It made sense to do this because we only live five doors from each other.
With your pigeon work do you have a silent partner i.e. wife, partner or friend, and if so what part do they play?
No, we do all the work between us. Stan tends to do the training as he works in the Midlands, 30 miles from our loft, so this makes training easier and does save on fuel with not having to do both driving to work and then training.
Do you consider there to be any advantage having a racing partnership?
Yes, having two people doing the chores and selection of stock and candidates for races makes racing pigeons more fun than on your own, although sometimes we do have different opinions, but as long as the results come we’re happy.
Are there any points that you disagree on and if so how do you compromise on a situation where there is a different viewpoint?
There is no doubt that we are never always going to agree and we have several differences of opinion during the course of a season, but we always talk it through and sometimes we will try both ideas and see what gives the best end result.
Do each of you have an area within the partnership where responsibilities take control regarding a decision?
No, we tend to come to a decision by talking everything over but when it comes to purchasing new stock that is left to Stan who has the most experience having raced pigeons for many years.
Give the readers the most memorable results that you have achieved flying as a partnership and flying on your own.
When I flew on my own I had many brilliant days but that’s the past and it’s no good living in the past. Since we have raced as Stopka Brothers we have had some good years and some not so good. But 2014 has been an exceptional year for us, being premier prize winner in Stafford DHS where there are 29 members, so doing well in Club, Fed, Opens and Classics. It was a great thrill when our good cock, Bobby, won a West Midland Region award and being selected to represent Great Britain at the Pigeon Olympiad in Budapest Hungary in January 2015.
Is there anything that you have not won in the sport that you would like to achieve?
This is something that we could all look into and think more about, but we would be quite happy to score consistently in the Midlands National and National Flying Club where in the latter we would be competing against the whole of the country.
Young bird race loft that is used for stock birds in the early part of the year
What organisations do you race with?
We have a good club in Stafford, the Stafford & District HS, so we are happy to make that our main target for our weekend racing that competes in the North Staffs Fed. To go further with the competition we also like to compete in the Midland NFC and the National FC where we can compete against the whole of the country.
Do you hold any official position and if so do you take an active part? If no, what are your reasons?
We are both active club members. I have been Secretary on and off since 1976. I am now secretary/treasurer and the Fed delegate. Peter has done clocks since 1980 we both run clock stations for all the major pigeon races and they keep us busy.
What are your lofts made of and how big are they?
We have racing lofts at Stan’s house. Both were built by Blakes Lofts, one being 22ft x 10ft for young birds and the other 18ft x 8ft for 30 widowhood cocks. So that there is no interference with the racing, the stock loft is at Peter’s measuring 18ft x 8ft. Both racing lofts have a tiled roof.
Do you attach any importance to having a tiled roof on a loft?
Tiled roof lofts are in my opinion far better for the birds, the reason being that all the air is exchanged above the pigeons in the lofts which mostly eliminates direct draft onto them while resting.
Do you use any form of heating system in any of your lofts? Do you think it would be advantages for the birds?
We have no heating and in this country I am not sure if there are any benefits, only to the seller of them and the energy companies.
How do you control the ventilation in your loft?
There are sliding panels in the roof of the young bird loft with an interior wire mesh roof for the widowhood cocks.
Do you have any grilles fitted in the floor or in the boxes and are there any advantages to using them?
We have grille floors throughout our lofts and in the nest boxes. They also help to break the cycle of worms and coccidiosis.
What families of pigeons do you keep?
We have a good team that are based on pigeons that are a blended together from Bobby Walton, Warley, J V Groom & Son of West Bromwich, A Jones of Stourton, plus Besant & Son of London.
Easterly or Westerly: do you set any stall by the position and if so why?
It does help on races to be living where the wind is pushing them but we love to win when the wind says we should not because it proves the quality of the pigeon and the skills of the flyer. No matter where you race pigeons you are never always going to be in the best position for the wind because it varies so much in the UK. For example, we topped the North Staffs Fed in 2014 in a North East Wind and we fly in the East Section, it is very satisfying when you win against the odds.
Sprint team section
BREEDING AND RACE PREPARATION/PLANNING
How do you go about bringing in a new family and what do you look for?
We have been very fortunate to have obtained top class pigeons from friends. We never go to auctions to buy birds, preferring to meet the fancier face to face. We always acquire birds from winning lofts.
When you bring in that new family, do you think that they need time to acclimatise, if so how long?
We believe it is only fair to give any new introductions to the lofts 3 years to perform or they are gone - not sold on to someone else. If they are no good for us then out they go, this being regardless of cost. We have a good source for our pigeons, so we do not look very far for new introductions because they do perform in all types of competition.
Which of the two sexes do you consider is the more important when it comes to breeding?
Both have a role in the stock loft but top quality hens are essential to keep a good family going. Some fanciers like big hens for breeding but we do not have an opinion on size. We don’t think it makes any difference to the quality of youngsters that she breeds as long as they are in front of our competitors. Also, when it comes to breeding, we like to pair winners to winners and cross them.
Do you think that fanciers change for the sake of changing or do you think a loft can breed a winning team out and lose track of the winners?
Yes most fanciers blame the pigeon instead of looking in the mirror. If the birds are flying below expectations and you have tried with them and you are 100% dedicated then change birds, but if you haven’t tried, don’t blame the birds. And be very selective on which birds in the loft you actually breed from. Fanciers should look at themselves first and be sure their birds are healthy and fit. There are really no excuses for not knowing what to do. The books and DVDs that are about now give you all the information you need. Most good pigeon flyers we have met are natural born pigeon men.
What method do you use to select your breeders?
Generally retired winners and their sons and daughters and sons and daughters of our friends’ winners.
Did you find your best breeding pigeon by luck or judgment?
We can all go and pay fortunes for birds, but our best have been gifts from Bob Walton and when Bob says this is special, it generally is.
What materials do you use for nesting?
We firstly place felts in the bowl and then give them tobacco stalks to build their own nest.
When do you pair your pigeons and why then?
After the Blackpool Show because this fits with our working. I remember we only paired up early once and, due to the weather and daylight hours available to us, we could not get them out and eventually lost most, so we now stick with what fits in with our working routine.
How many stock birds do you keep and do you breed off your race team? Also, how many pigeons do you think that you need to breed off any individual stock pair each year to see if they are quality producers?
We normally have 12 pairs of stock but this year we have 16 pairs after we bred some later ones, so we will see how they go. We always breed off the racers that have won prizes and like to get two rounds from each pair of stock. The racers are different and we only get one nest and we make it a practise not to breed from birds that haven’t won. So, where needed, we move one to a yearling to rear.
Please explain the method used from pairing up until the first race.
We tend to put the hen in the box for 24 hours before we let them together, then introduce to each other over the next day, keeping a careful eye on any over-aggressive cocks. Then, once they are all settled and sitting, we start letting cocks only out from each section separately. When they hatch, no birds go out until the young birds are weaned. We tend to move the hens when the cocks start taking an interest in them and leave the cocks to finish off the young. The cocks will then go out every day and will gradually build up their flying time. Only when they are flying freely will we train. We never worry about when we start - the birds will let us know when they are ready.
So you don’t move the hens with the young birds?
No just we just move the hens. We will then wean the young birds into a section with several hens, so these hens will feed any that need help eating, only for 7 days or so. Good pigeons tend to find food and water.
What is the farthest distance that you would train your old birds or young birds?
As far as is necessary to win. We fly in a very competitive club and you won’t beat these members without effort. This is where your winners come from.
Do you breed off the top widowhood cocks after the racing has finished, do you breed late-bred youngsters and what do you think of those later bred youngsters?
Yes, we breed late youngsters from the most successful racers that are paired to our most successful stock hens. These are generally kept for our own stock or swapped with friends.
For every 50 pigeons that you breed realistically how many of them would win at 500mls, based on your past records?
Probably 1 or 2 - no more. I think if you can breed 1 winner from every 10 young birds that is good, but it gets even harder as the distance increases.
Stopka Bros lofts
RACING
How do you race your pigeons and how many?
We now race all the cocks on widowhood and there are generally between 24 and 30. We have tried hens, but our working hours make this difficult, so we have reverted back to cocks only and they have responded. I retire in 3 years’ time so we intend to give hens a go then and we are also bringing in distance pigeons from consistent National performance lofts. So we can have a proper go at classic racing with the right tools. The widow hens are housed at the side of the race loft in boxes.
So you also compete in National events? How does this compare with club racing for you?
We have raced in Nationals and done very well, with only a few birds, but as we all know, you need the right pigeons for the job. Club racing we enjoy but we enjoy open races and 4 bird classics plus the gold ring races.
Do you ever think of competing for averages and if not why not?
No, club averages don’t mean anything. If the best flyers are competing in Nationals, National averages are a different story and we do admire the winners of these.
Do you race your pigeons every week or do you prefer to condition them for a specific race?
Inland pigeons tend to go every week while the Channel pigeons need preparing for the job, so that’s what we tend to do. You cannot expect them to fly the Channel up to this part of the world if they are not prepared properly.
In your view does a loft needs different pigeons for different distances?
Yes. We have specific pigeons to deal with races over 300mls. I would even say pigeons for National racing are different to pigeons that race only in federation races. When we have a good pigeon a top performer in the fed from a channel race his next race will then be in a classic. We do try to have birds that compete from all distances so that we have a good selection throughout the season. They are hard to get hold of but we do get them. But we do realise that the distance is different, which is why we keep an eye on top winning distance lofts. Being able to compete all the way extends the racing season.
When do you allow your racers to take a bath?
All pigeons bathe in the aviary every Sunday throughout the year, we have a portable aviary for the cocks’ loft.
Do you use any floor dressing or do you clean the pigeons out daily?
Well, as we said, we have the grid floors with Harker’s floor dressing under.
Do you like to have plenty of room for the pigeons?
Yes, because crowded lofts only lead to problems and overcrowding is why some fanciers get it so wrong in their lofts.
How do you feed the cocks and what do you feed them on - a branded mix or do you buy separate corns and mix your own?
All our pigeons are fed in troughs on the floor. We use Vanrobaeys from Roger Sutton and we buy several mixes and feed for the distance to be flown - the more time on the wing, the more fuel in the tank. Our birds are expected to work, so they are never hungry. We don’t measure the amount that you give to each pigeon as they are all well fed - there is no point in having hungry birds that do not have the energy to race home.
Do you attach any importance to grits and minerals or can the pigeons get what they want they are out of the loft?
We use pre mixed grit and minerals, fresh every day and we never leave it in the loft.
Is there a way that your pigeons let you know when they are in form?
Most good widowhood cocks have a change in behaviour when they are spot on - it is all about observation around the loft.
Do you have any secrets about what you do with your pigeons and how you get them right?
Despite what many think there are no secrets to winning with racing pigeons: good quality fit pigeons, healthy and well trained and motivated will win you the races.
Do the pigeons need any special treatment on their return from the race to help them relax? Is any such treatment needed for the short or long-distance races or the hard races compared to the easy races?
Bath Sunday, good quality food and rest. Then after a hard race, more rest. The pigeon will let you know when he is ready.
How many weeks do you think a pigeon can maintain its form on the widowhood system for both cocks and hens?
As far as the cocks are concerned we have had them winning from the first race to the last old bird race of the season. In the team there will always be some in better form than other loft mates and we never wind up the whole team.
How long does it take to prepare a pigeon for a Channel race and do you think that a pigeon can be prepared at fortnightly intervals for such races?
For Channel races, I think they need two weeks, more for the harder ones. Our best Channel cock used to do the first 2 channel races, 250 miles and 326 miles, then wait until Saintes 493 miles and scored four years running. If they are right they will perform.
If your race team went off form during the season what action would you take to restore their condition?
Send droppings and swabs to the vet, treat if anything was found, light food for a week, tea and garlic. Then build them back up and race them only when they are ready. Too many fanciers don’t know when something is wrong and keep sending, only to complain when the birds don’t come well.
What happens when you are racing either widowhood or the roundabout when you have a bad race and lose a few from one sex? How do you continue with those pigeons who have lost their mate?
Well, we only race cocks so this is not an issue, but also as pointed out earlier, when I retire I shall try the hens, so it will be a different ball-game then.
Is a favourable loft location the single biggest factor in sprint racing?
It helps, but good, fit, healthy pigeons are important. Poorly managed pigeons won’t win in any position.
Do you treat pigeons differently in terms of their preparation if they are to go to the bigger races whether National, Classic, Specialist club or open?
Yes our pigeons for the club tend to go with me to work (22 miles). If we decided to have a go at National races I would extend the training from a much greater distance depending on the wind and weather.
Do you think a pigeon has the capabilities of racing both short and long distance races? Also what distance can a pigeon actually still “RACE” as opposed to homing from any race point?
I think most good pigeons can handle 300 miles. We like racing from 500 to 550, which is obtainable on the day, weather and wind permitting. We have raced from further, but I think then you need to specialise. All our 500-milers have been better with experience. It is certainly much harder to find the distance pigeons who encounter a lot of problems with predators and weather variables. Most of our yearlings go to 350 miles but we have sent to Saintes 493 miles. It all depends on the pigeon and how it handles its races.
Sprinter or distance, there is no difference: it is all in the feeding?
Certainly you would not attempt ParisDakar in a formula 1 car, you need the bird for the job with the right fuel in the tank.
If you could pass on one piece of advice or tip, at this point to fanciers old and young, what would it be?
Get the best pigeons you can afford, ask a successful flyer for advice on his own not in front of the whole club and listen to that advice. All the top flyers I have met have always been helpful.
What problems do you think are most detrimental to race conditions in modern day racing, both old bird and young bird?
Poor transporters and clubs not taking enough care over the baskets. Clubs and federations need to combine to make stronger competition, better quality transporters, hygiene and water need to be up to standard.
What races do you send your long-distance candidates to before their chosen race?
Most do all the inland races, then we will pick the fittest for the races as they come up. Normally they will have 2 to 3 weeks without racing before Saintes/Bordeaux.
Can you explain to the readers your routine for preparing pigeons for the longer races? Do you look forward to the Channel racing?
We will have in our minds who is going to what races when we start racing and how they are performing determines which races we pick for them. We will stop Fed racing them two weeks prior and train privately for the targeted race. Distance will depend on the wind direction and weather conditions. We love Channel racing the excitement and thrill of clocking a good one makes all the effort worthwhile.
YOUNG BIRDS
Young bird sickness is a problem; have you had this in your loft and if so what have you treated them with?
In 2014 we had young bird sickness 3 days after their first race, with birds vomiting and not coming in. We treated with products from Belgica UK and allowed rest and light food as well as a 14-day break from training and racing. Then back on the road and they performed well. We have our birds tested by Belgica UK and will treat for any problems found, can’t remember the last time we had an old bird sick.
Do you race young birds and, if so, how much do you enjoy it compared to the longer races?
Yes, we enjoy young bird racing, but we tend to miss the first two. We like to get our young birds to the coast, 157 miles. We have sent to Channel races with young birds, but I’m not sure this is of any benefit later in life. The Channel can be a cruel place on a bad day and our local federations do not get us to the coast enough times to risk a big team across the Channel. We think pigeons for the long-distance races need experience so the more they get as young birds the better, but they should not be hammered.
Do you give any special treatments when the pigeons return from the race as a precaution against anything that they may have picked up in the basket?
The last few years we have given the birds transport mix from Giantel and this seems to work well.
Do you use the darkness system for the young birds, if so for how long and do you think it affects them later in life?
We have used the darkness since 1996 and found it works great although we are not convinced there isn’t a price to pay later. We went through a spell of losing a lot of yearling cocks on sticky days over the Channel, so the last three years we have not practised the darkness system and we are still not sure, and will probably try some of each in 2015.
Tell me about your feeding methods for young birds.
We do not keep pigeons hungry. We wean the young birds onto Breed and Wean and we feed this until all young birds are getting up to the perches, then change to Gerry Plus and Caseart light and they stay on this until we start racing. Then we will give Caseart light on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, then swap to Super Special from Vanrobaeys through to Sunday night. When training all young birds return to a light feed of trapping seed with aniseed. Bad trappers are not tolerated at any price.
Do you attach any real importance to the pigeon’s wing?
Not an expert on pigeon wings as long as they have two we are happy.
If random drugs tests were carried out on your pigeons, would it reveal any substance, illegal or otherwise?
No, we think more drug tests need to be carried out all across the UK.
Young Bird section
THE MOULT/WINTER
What criteria do you set down for the pigeons you winter with your thoughts on the following seasons racing and breeding?
Stock birds have 3 years to breed prize-winning offspring or they are out regardless of cost. Old bird racers will be judged on their performances of the current year. As a rule we don’t race birds past 4 years old, although we think this may be too early for proper distance pigeons, and we will test this theory out when time allows us to send to the real long-distance races.
Are there any special treatments that you give your birds once the season has finished?
Our old birds don’t go out after the last old bird race till March the following year and young birds don’t go out after their last race until March. They get good food during the moult, bath every weekend and we treat with Parastop once they have finished moulting.
What were the last four things that you put in your drinking water, when and why and did you notice any benefits?
Vior every Sunday, which we believe to be good for them. We have given no vitamins in the water this year and had a brilliant season. We have no set programme for the drinkers but just watch how the birds are. We think that after the fifth race problems seem to appear.
If you could only give your pigeons one supplement what would it be?
Ornispecial from Belgica UK.
GENERAL
How do you view your last season’s performance?
We have had a good season inland, probably the best we have ever had. Our Channel team have taken a battering this year with liberations in poor weather, too many fast inland races then north-easterlies from the Channel - not conducive to building a team of Channel birds. In our area there are no easy races, we have top class flyers in our club and federation at all disciplines.
Which fancier has influenced you most, in the way in which you fly your pigeons?
Bobby Walton the Warley Ace, a true gentleman of the sport and a great friend.
Do you have any views regarding eye sign?
We are not really eye sign men, but we have never seen a top pigeon with a “bad” eye - a healthy bird always has a bright eye. I once had a bird that had the best violet eye I have ever seen. He never won anything or bred anything so I don’t have him anymore. I have been in the company of some of our best eye sign men over the years have nevertheless not 5 Nationals, whereas some of our club members have!
What do you think can be done to take the sport forward?
Clubs need to open up to a bigger area and federations should combine to give more competition. We think that Channel races should be Nationals only and federations should stick to inland racing.
What percentage do you consider it takes to win with racing pigeons for Management and pigeons and why?
60% pigeon 40% fancier but without quality pigeons you will never win consistently.
Are there any past mistakes that you have learned from?
Too many to list but sending a bird that has had a knock to the wing, no matter how they are flying around the loft is a ‘no’.
What qualities make a top fancier?
Consistently being at the top of the result sheet at the level of competition they have chosen to fly their birds at. The term ‘champion flyer’ is too freely used ‘top class flyer’ is a better phrase.
How do you rate Club racing compared to Fed racing, for example?
Pigeon racing is supposed to be a sport where you take pleasure from what you do and whatever level fanciers want to fly at, the choice is theirs. Results for us are important for our own satisfaction. We have never been interested in selling pigeons.
Do you regard yourselves as professional fanciers and to what extent does your working life affect how you race pigeons?
We are both working fanciers, we try to fly our pigeons in a professional manner, and yes being at work makes a difference to what we do.
Is there anything to be done to keep fanciers in the sport and improve it for the future?
Our local club has a two prizes per loft in operation but this doesn’t apply to the federation so works very well, it gives the hobby flyer a chance to get a little back and encourages them to stay in the sport. Pigeon racing probably is too costly for the average flyer - that’s when partnerships help. Pigeon racing is only complicated if fanciers believe all they read in the magazines. If flyers listened to the pigeon product suppliers none of us would work. We would need to be at the loft changing the product in the drinker every few hours.
We also think the RPRA needs to be more involved with the racing side possibly having advisors in at weekends helping with race controlling. We know this will cost money, but it’s no use giving thousands to charity when our own sport is crumbling around us. And clubs should only race inland when Nationals and Classics are taking place and not conflict with each other. We could do without all of the so-called champions for sale in the books and on the internet without a prize between them; all the private treaty sales that involve pigeons whose owners are unknown; and studs selling young birds from generations of pigeons that have never been out the loft.
What is your view on pigeon ‘moots’ or ‘panels’?
We think they are very interesting. I went with some friends to the Epsom one and had a great time - very enjoyable with top flyers in attendance.
What is your view on pigeon shows and showing?
When we have done it we have been very successful. It’s up to the individual fancier if it suits them, fine. When we go to Blackpool we never even think to look at the birds we only go for the banter with fellow flyers. But in this sport you do what gives you the most enjoyment.
Do you read many magazines/Articles, if so which type of article do you find interesting and why?
British Homing World I read every week. I find most contributors interesting. There are good articles worth reading on all aspects of the sport and I enjoy them. When you no longer find that interesting, then it’s time to pack up.
If you went into another fancier’s loft and were given the opportunity to leave with a pair of pigeons, how confident would you be that you had selected the best pair, or in other words do you consider that you are a good judge of a pigeon?
It would be interesting if that was to happen because we do think we know what we want and what we want will not necessarily be what others want and may be winning with. Lofts change and we believe our loft is better that it was 5 years ago and who knows what we will think in another 5 years when I have retired and we are having a go at the longer races.
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