JIM EMERTON CHATS TO PALANI A PIGEON FANCIER IN INDIA

 
1 Tell us your name and about yourself 
Ans: My name is Palani. I am from India and have a homing pigeon loft in the city called Chennai, India.  At present, I am working and settled in Singapore though still I maintain and race my homing pigeons in Chennai, India. I visit my racing loft once in 3 to 4 months to spend some time with my birds. I am planning to retire by career (may be in the next 10 years)  back in Chennai and spend more time with my birds.

2 When did you take an interest in pigeons?  
Ans: My father was rearing pigeons during my childhood.  When he passed away (I was 16 then), our family cleared the pigeons.  After I got educated and employed, I started getting interested in  pigeons again (specifically homing pigeons) from the year 1998.

3 Are you a racing loft?  
Ans: Yes, we are racing pigeons from our loft in Chennai, India and have won a few Provincial races and championship in local clubs as well.

4 Describe long distance racing in India.  
Ans: In our hometown (Chennai), the long-distance races start from 550 to 700 Km and  goes up to 1500 Km

5 What foods and supplements do you use?  
Ans: We prepare our own mix of grains as food for our pigeons.  We use supplements locally available in our country which are used for poultry or veterinary. For racing season, we buy supplements from Europe from manufacturers like PHP, Rohnfried etc.,

6 What system of racing do you adopt?  
Ans:  Mostly we race in a natural system, that is, hens and cocks are maintained separately and raced separately.  For long distance races, we go for a widowhood system.

7 Please send pics of your birds and lofts  
Ans: I will send them in a separate email.

8 What clubs do you join in India?  
Ans: I am a member of a club called "Titans Pigeon Society" .  Web address: https://www.titanspigeon.org/

9 Are you a club official?  
Ans:  No, I am not a club official rather I am a senior advisor for the club.

10 Does your family take an interest?  
Ans: Yes, my family takes interest and supports me though they do not directly manage or maintain the birds.

11 Have you read my books and seen my films in India?  
Ans:  No, just bought a book "Pigeon Man" last week and started reading. 

12 What are your ambitions in the sport.  
Ans: My ambition is to successfully race extreme long-distance races like 1250 to 1500 Km and win them.

13 Please comment on any aspect of pigeons.  
Ans: The imported pigeons from Europe take some time to settle and perform in India. In some cities in India, they settle well quickly whereas in some cities like Chennai (my hometown), even the best performing bloodlines in Europe are struggling to even get back home. Only those old bloodlines reared for decades locally by people are able to get back in such a tough headwind / side wind days. Nevertheless, I am still trying my best to bring the best bloodlines from worldwide and try to achieve in this racing track.

14 Do your rate Barcelona and the scene in Europe?  
Ans: Barcelona race is one of the most interesting races we usually watch due to its magnitude and passion with which people participate.

15 How did you come across me? Thanks Jim Emerton. 
Ans:  I read about Jim in some postings (& reference to his books) on social media like Facebook. 
Kind Regards
Palani