LANARKSHIRE FEDERATION
J & S CARSWELL
by Robert Hotchkiss, Press Officer, Uddingston & District Homing Club
John holding his good Gevaert-V-Schoorisse stock cock
On Sunday 30th December 2012, I paid a visit to John and Catherine Carswell of Uddingston Club, which is one of the bigger clubs which competes in the Lanarkshire Fed. Uddingston Club is a very competitive club with birdage of 500-600 birds in early competition. John enjoyed an excellent season in 2012 winning 5 x 1st clubs plus a host of other positions with his Gevaert-van Schoorisse family, which were obtained from past clubmate Alan Pollard. On handling these pigeons, most were small/medium in type with strong backs, mostly dark and blue cheqs in colour, with the odd white flighted bird.
The management of the pigeons is very limited due to John working all hours on the farm. This is where Catherine comes in by helping with jobs about the loft. The main racing loft and YB loft are all grill floored and freshened up underneath when required. A great time saver for John. After looking at some of the birds, I asked John the following on his management:
Q: How long have you been in the sport?
A: I started racing pigeons in 1976. At that time, I raced the Dordins with good success. I also later introduced some birds from the late great Jock Allan of Symington.
Q: What type of racing do you prefer?
A: Races up to 360 miles – i.e. federation racing.
Q: What strains of pigeons are you racing at the moment?
A: Lefebre/Dhaenens and Gevaert van Schoorisse.
Young bird loft - 10ft x 6ft
Q: What systems do you fly?
A: Natural.
Q: What type of feeding do you use?
A: Versele-Laga Breed & Wean plus Marimans breeding mix Petite mixed together all season.
Q: Training?
A: The birds are trained by Jim Wood in his training unit, usually twice weekly, 2 x 35-40 miles tosses, usually the Peebles area.
Q: Medication of birds?
A: The treatment of the birds is kept to a minimum; an occasional cocci treatment is given with Coxoid.
Q: Do you exercise your birds during the closed season?
A: Yes – as much as possible, if weather permits.
Q: How many birds do you race weekly?
A: 30-35 birds most weeks.
Q: How many young birds do you breed for racing?
A: Usually 60.
Q: System for YBs – darkness or natural?
A: Natural.
John's racing hens
Q: YB training?
A: I usually start the YB off by giving them 3 x 15 mile tosses, then they go into the training unit where they get a few tosses being liberated with other club pigeons who are training from that same area, which gives them a fair mix, which makes them think for themselves.
Q: Any health programme for old birds and YBs before racing/breeding?
A: None.
Q: Pet hates in the sport?
A: The raptor problem.
Q: The lofts?
A: The main racing loft is 18ft x 8ft. YB loft 10ft x 6ft.
Q: When do you pair up the birds?
A: All racing and stock birds are paired mid Jan-early Feb.
Q: Any additives added to the water during racing on return?
A: Vanodine is added to the water, an iodine based product – an excellent germ killer.
John's feed at the time of my visit
Q: Do you alter your feed or amount during moult?
A: Yes – 25% barley is added to the normal mix.
Q: What pointers do you look for when selecting your ‘pooled’ birds on basketing night?
A: Full bodied, bright clear eyes, motivated. i.e. high on eggs or sitting YBs.
Q: Eyesign.
A: No interest.
Q: Fancier or bird?
A: 80% bird, 20 % fancier.
Q: Additives to feed?
A: Carrs Add Herb oil – original, is added to the corn all year round. Hen layers pellets are also given to the birds prior to pairing as they contain a lot of vitamins and minerals and calcium. Matrix minerals are also used.
On closing, I would like to thank both John and Catherine for their time and John for showing me his team of excellent birds and wish him all the best for the coming 2013 season.
Dk Cheq Gevaert-V-Schoorisse cock. Winner of 1st club Appleby 2012 plus a winner of numerous positions.
Dk Cheq Gevaert-V-Schoorisse Cock. Winner of 1st club Ingleton Y/B race.
Another good blue Gevaert-V-Schoorisse stock cock
John holding his good blue Gevaert-V-Schoorisse stock hen
Gevaert-V-Schoorisse hen, winner of 1st cub Longtown, 499 birds – 1st fed 2012. Also winner the next week of 1st club Longtown 2, 690 birds – 2nd open fed 2012.
Main racing loft - 18ft x 8ft
John still waiting on his Salisbury timer (he actually turned grey haired!)
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