By Tom Smith Spring Hill, Florida - Birdman32347@TampaBay.rr.com

North American Ace Pigeons and Ace Lofts 2009

SPORT TALK

A Periodic Presentation of News and Views from Around the Racing Pigeon World

ACE PIGEONS

"Ace Pigeons" are both rare & unique in the racing pigeon world. They are akin to thoroughbred horse racing's "Breeders Cup" winners. They must score several outstanding performances in one season. Although 1st place winners often receive more publicity, "Ace Pigeons" are coveted by knowledgeable fliers. The North American Ace Pigeon & Ace Loft Championships, sponsored annually by the American Racing Pigeon Digest, acknowledges these champions and the fanciers that race them. This championship is open to all AU (American Racing Pigeon Union), CU (Canadian RP Union), and IF (International Federation of American Homing Pigeon Fanciers) members, as well as independents, in North America. Thus the championship is open to around 15,000 lofts, making it the most competitive championship in all North America.

Laurie McConnell of Spring Hill, Florida, USA has been around our sport for well over half a century, and he's won a lot of awards, including having several "qualified contenders" for the AU Hall of Fame, but winning a rare double in the coveted 2009 North American Ace Pigeon Awards is the highlight of his long pigeon racing career. His pigeon "Little Champ" AU07GHC4434 BC not only won 1st North American Middle Distance Ace Pigeon (Old Bird), but achieved a rare "double" by also winning 1st Overall North American Ace Pigeon (OB) Division 2 Average 1001 - 2000 birds!

Laurie's pigeon career began as a teenager back in 1950 when he entered his first race and won it! He lived in up state NY and flew with the Rochester club which had 90 members back in 1950! They were mostly immigrants from Belgium, Poland, etc. who had brought their sport to America and were very good at it. Laurie's parents were from Scotland. Young Laurie's enthusiasm soon made him a top contender in Rochester. As the years went by Laurie became deeply involved in the sport; the administrative side as well as the competitive side. He built modern lofts, used advanced racing techniques, imported stock from several European champions, and began winning out of turn. Laurie even became the Dutch champion Leen Boers' American agent from 1983 - 1987. Boers most well known champion was "Mirage" winner of 1st St Dizer 20,180 birds (and fastest of 150,000 liberated at St Dizer that day!). This bloodline still runs thru Laurie's present day Leen Boers, such as his foundation "BASE COCK" and its daughter the potent "GOLDEN HEN," which bred him three 1st Greater Tampa Bay Concourse winners!

Laurie did particularly well in the young-bird money races in Rochester, flying young hens to a 10 - 12 day old youngster. He would take the mate (cock) away a day or so before the race. At one point he won four consecutive auction races on that system….. and then the club discontinued the race!!

Laurie became interested in the administrative side of our sport at an early age. He was on the AU Board for 25 years and was the AU president from 1983 - 1985. He and his Board created the AU National Rules, and Laurie worked on various important projects, including the “Postal project” for seven or eight years until it was approved.

The decades flew by…. In 2000 Laurie left New York for Spring Hill, Florida, better known as “Little Belgium.” He was tired of the cold, snowy winters in New York. He wanted to enjoy the Florida sunshine and compete in the largest club in America, the Gulf Coast Homing Club. He had heard that the competition there was quite intense. And so it was. In fact, the two pigeons that “Little Champ” beat out for the championship also flew to lofts in “Little Belgium,” only a few blocks away from Laurie: 2nd Overall North American Ace Pigeon (OB) Div 2 was won by Bruce Cerone, Woods End Loft. Bruce also won 1st North American Sprint Ace Pigeon (OB) Div 2 and several other positions in the championships; 3rd Overall North American Ace Old Bird Div 2 was won by Rob & Kevin O’Leary, flying as the O’Leary Boys. The brothers were also 1st North American Long Distance Ace Pigeon (OB). And another flier in the area, flying about ten miles short, John Marles, flying as Marles & Evans, won 2nd North American Sprint Ace Pigeon (OB) Division 2, 3rd North American Ace Young Bird Loft Division 2, and a couple of other awards.

I had the pleasure of visiting Laurie, along with my two friends, Tom Crawford and Bob Debatt, on a beautiful, sunny, Florida afternoon. We were impressed by his two professionally built racing lofts, which are typical “Belgian style” lofts with wood floor grates, self cleaning nest boxes, sliding dowel doors, and nice wooden decks across the front of the lofts. The widowhood loft has 32 nest boxes, but usually houses only 24 cocks, while the yb loft has 96 perches and houses a team of from 75 to 80 young birds for racing.

The lofts are very well ventilated thru windows, vents along the floor line, front and back, and is aided by large electric ceiling fans. There is no dust, dampness, or pigeon smell. The large windows in front of both lofts also enable plenty of sunlight to enter. Both lofts provide an ideal atmosphere for Laurie’s birds. He says the loft is your first step to becoming a successful flier.

Laurie’s breeding loft is a large, metal, “shed loft” behind one of the flying lofts. Its not quite as pleasant looking as the other lofts, but it works…. It has 15 nest-boxes at each end, and two sections to hold extra birds and birds for sale. Next to the racing lofts there are ten individual walk-in breeding pens, each housing a special breeding pair.

Laurie handed us several extraordinary breeders emanating from the strains of S & D Verkerk (NL), the Leen Boers (NL), and the Canadian Sylvan Loft Gaby Vandenabeeles (B). All had bred winners for him and were wonderful specimens in the hand.

Laurie’s Double North American Ace Pigeon “LITTLE CHAMP” is bred out of the well known Gaby Vandenabeele Belgian bloodlines from John Marles’ Sylvan Loft in Canada. John is an agent/partner of the well known British Myrtle Lofts of Mark & Dick Evans. Myrtle Loft has some of the best Vandenabeele pigeons in the world and in fact, has the record of producing over twenty 1st National winners!

“Little Champ’s” sire is “Sylvan Carus” son of the top breeder “Sylvan Gold Kap,” who is descended from several record birds and has “Wittenbuik” in his pedigree several times. “Little Champ’s” dam is “Sylvan Cassee” daughter of “Sylvan Laura” 1st Champion YB in Club & 1st Champion YB in the Up North Combine 2004, who also has all the great Gaby’s in her background too. She was flown by Joe Ferreira who bought his Gabys from Sylvan Lofts.

I asked Laurie how he obtained the Sylvan “Gaby” pigeons, and the breeding of his Ace Pigeon. What he related to me is a fascinating story, which teaches a good lesson:

Laurie admired the great racing record of Gaby Vandenabeele of Belgium, and the successes of John Marles/Sylvan Loft in Canada with “Gaby” pigeons from Mark & Dick Evans Myrtle Loft (GB). So when John Marles held an auction in Florida, he attended, hoping to obtain a few top “Gabys” for his breeding loft. He met John Marles at the auction, struck up a conversation, and asked him to suggest a pair of birds to buy. John suggested two dandies. Laurie bought the cock after some spirited bidding, but the hen went too high, into the thousands, so he bought two other young hens, with the intention of mating them both on the cock. A few months later when he tried to mate up the two hens, one turned out to be a cock…a small cock at that. Laurie didn’t like the size of the cock at all, although it did have good conformation. He finally decided not to cull it, so he called John Marles to enquire about buying two more hens. John had two sisters available out of a top breeding pair, and although the price was a little steep, Laurie bought them. When they came, one was a beauty, but the other one was a “beast,” very small and ugly. He thought of sending the ugly one back, but he remembered what the great flier Leen Boers had once told him… “Don’t worry about how a bird looks, it has nothing to do with its flying or breeding ability….Worry about performance…” So Laurie kept the “ugly little hen.” When breeding time came around the last two birds left were the little cock and the ugly he. He didn’t have a nest-box for them, so he let them nest in a corner on the floor. When their youngsters hatched and developed, one was large and one was small! He put them on the yb team and at the end of the season the little one was still there, even though it hadn’t won anything. Laurie had noticed it never seemed to be tired after a race. When he moved over the young cocks, into the yearling section, he looked at the little cock and thought to himself “I should cull you, but who knows maybe a runt can win…” Well the little checker cock became the “LITTLE CHAMP” that season, having the best performance of any pigeon on the race team! He flew eight races in the top 2% against an average of over 2000 birds per race! What’s that old saying? “Don’t judge a book by its cover!”

Laurie flies his old birds on the traditional widowhood system. He has tried “double widowhood,” but says it was too much work, although he knows the hens would win too. Someday he may fly the hens as lesbians or to the perch, which is much easier, and can be very successful.

Laurie does not use the popular “Darkness System” in Florida, as he believes it is not advantageous in Florida. Instead, he gives the ybs 24 hours of light up until the end of June. At that time the lights go off and they go on regular sunlight. They go into a heavy body moult and are in good feather by the time he begins heavy training and racing. Laurie pulls the ybs’ 9th and 10th flights and two outside tail feathers, on each side of the tail, on all of the “Classic” futurity birds, Auction Race birds, and some of the younger ybs. But Laurie says he doesn’t like to pull the flights of any of the young cocks that he thinks will be on the yearling race team. Why? He says, “You know the pulled flights come in a tiny bit shorter and most have that ‘little chip’ at the tip of the feather when pulled and grow in.”

Laurie gave us a tour of the racing lofts and the racers housed there. We handled one outstanding pigeon after another; excellent bodies, excellent feather, excellent eyes and excellent throats.

Pride of the loft today is “Little Champ,” which won the two 1st North American Ace Pigeon awards with the following record: 1st GHC 300 miles 76 lofts 1201 birds, 1st Florida Federation 100 lofts 1373 birds 1355 ypm; 5th GHC 254 m 89 lofts 1492 birds, 5th Florida Federation 116 lofts 1755 birds 1543 ypm; 11th GHC 408 m 79 lofts 1311 birds; 11th Florida Federation 109 lofts 1575 birds 1461 ypm; and 4th GHC 122 miles 93 lofts 1595 birds 1258 ypm; all in the 2009 season. The GHC is the very competitive Gulf Coast Homing Club, which has the largest membership of any club in America; over 210 members, with an average of about 90 competing in the races. In 2007 - 2008 “Little Champ” also won: 40th Greater Tampa Bay Concourse 150 m 138 L 2339 B; 41st Greater Tampa Bay Concourse 200 m 141 lofts2558 b; 46th Greater Tampa Bay Concourse 200 m 131 L 2320 b; and 49th Greater Tampa Bay Concourse 200 m 148 L 2594 b.

If you study the “Little Champ’s” pedigree, you see all the great old Gaby Vandenabeele champions in its background. These “Gabys” seem to like the Florida heat….

Laurie has bred and flown several top pigeons in Florida. He says that the “best bird” he has raced since moving to Florida is “Golden Express,” a blue cock, a son of the Leen Boers “Golden Hen” x Verkerk Cock 530 “Allessandro.” “Golden Express” won many top prizes including 1st GHC 1st Tampa Bay Concourse 250 m 124 L 1895 b, and is now proving to be a potent breeder. Laurie says that much of his success has come from crossing on his “base Boers line.” That is the line that he won the prestigious “San Diego Classic” one loft race with. “Top Contender,” a BC, is a Boers x Van Loon cross that was Lauri’s best young bird and yearling racer, winning many top prizes, but was lost on a tough 500 mile race; Laurie laments, “I should have never sent him……..one race too many”

Some of his other top racers were: “Mr Consistent,” another blue Leen Boers cock, which flew 8 races in obs, all in the top 5%; the “Lake City Cock,” a blue Verkerk cock, 1st GHC 1st Tampa Bay Concourse 125 m 140 L 2295 b; and the “Louisville Cock,” another blue Verkerk cock, 1st GHC 300 m 85 L 1777 b.

The Verkerks have amazing pedigrees. They are bred around the many Dutch National Ace Pigeons flown by S & G Verkerk (NL) over the years. Laurie has several Verkerk imports, including several record birds. Very nice pigeons.

I talked to Laurie about many facets of our sport. I asked him about his feeding methods. What he said was most interesting: “Feeding is one of the most mystifying aspects of racing our pigeons. ‘There are many roads to Rome.’ I’ve flown in Rochester, New York for 50 years, and now in Florida for ten years. I’ve tried more than a few feeding methods.

When I flew in Rochester, New York one of the most successful long-distance fliers was an old friend named George Steger. He either won or was close to winning almost every race from 400 miles (650 km) to 600 miles (1000 km). I visited him often, and he fed whatever he could get cheaply when he went to the feed store; cracked corn, red wheat, green peas, etc. It didn’t matter to George or to his pigeons! Meanwhile I paying top dollar for the best Philadelphia racing feed, heavy in maple peas and corn. I won my share, but never had the record George had at the distance…..” I said to Laurie, “ I remember reading about your racing successes many, many years ago in the old American Racing Pigeon Bulletin, so tell me a little more about your methods.”

“ During most of my years in Rochester, New York I used the light to heavy feeding method. Light feed with barley, then the heavier flying feed with maples and corn, Wednesday night until Friday shipping; Tuesday - Thursday for the long races.

In 1993 that all changed. My wife died in ’93 and I kind of lost interest in the pigeons and life in general…. I had been flying widowhood , but now I just left the birds natural (nesting) and gave them open loft all day, every day. I filled their hopper with an inexpensive, general pigeon feed, and topped up the water fountains every day, basically ignoring the birds. I didn’t train them, but flew them every week. I had the new Benzing ATIS electronic timer, so went golfing and came home to find the birds already in the loft. I would call around and many times no one had clocked yet! I won many ob races by 15 - 20 minutes!”

“Wow Laurie, the birds ate as much as they wanted, what they wanted, when they wanted. They flew around the loft when they wanted, for as long as they wanted, for the sheer love of flying….” “Yes.”

“But what about racing in Florida, where the race course and the climate are so different from New York?”

“Tom, Florida is a different thing entirely. For the first two years I tried the Rochester method of light to heavy feeding, with no results. I placed well in some races, losing one by 4 seconds, but generally my results were not satisfactory. Some fliers told me ‘No corn in Florida.’ I modified my feeding method a little, and over the next few seasons won a 200 - 300 mile race in every series. I still fed light to heavy, but on Friday I now give them a light feeding of high protein small seed, or none at all for the short races, 100 - 150 miles.”

What other things do you do because of the climate here in Florida?” “In our hot, humid climate, hydration is as important as proper feeding. I give the racers a combination of vitamins and electrolytes on Wednesday or Thursday depending when we are shipping. In addition, on the day of shipping I take the water away after a light feeding in the morning and put it back before I crate the birds to go to the club.”

Laurie also says you must have a well ventilated, healthy loft; the best management, no matter what system you use; natural health products; and use as little medicine as possible. But if you don’t have the best pigeons, it is all for naught…. All the methods in the world will not win races without extraordinary pigeons. Laurie McConnell has shown the expertise, and he also has those extraordinary pigeons……..

Congratulations Laurie McConnell. You are one of the outstanding 2009 North American Aces!

To Be Continued………………….

By Patrick Bowes - pjbowes@aol.com

PREFACE

As the son of Russian immigrants Morris J. Gordon immigrated to America around the turn of the 20th century. It has often been said that as a young lad Morris Gordon worked at a myriad of jobs demonstrating his ambitious entrepreneurial nature early in life. In due course and as a graduate of the “Massachusetts Institute of Technology”, Morris Gordon had now prepared himself for a successful career in the world of business. As founder of the Whitehall Liquor & Distributing Company specializing in the Importation and Wholesale of fine Wine and Spirits, Mr. Gordon eventually established his business into one of the largest on the east coast. It is often mentioned in passing that Joseph Kennedy was one of his steadiest customers. Already an established Boston businessman Mr. Gordon was now prepared to embark on a new adventure. And so it was in 1924 that Mr. Gordon began his boyhood dream, the sport of pigeon racing. As months rolled into years and years into decades, who could have imagined America was soon to have a strain of her own, the MORRIS GORDON STRAIN. To this day, the Morris Gordon birds are with incomparable long distance race records likely never to be surpassed!

THE FOUNDATION

In 1926 Mr. Gordon imported his first Osmans with additional imports from Lt. Col. A.H. Osman in 1927 and once again in1928. At that time Col. Osman had long been known for his established long distant flying record, actually, he was recognized worldwide as a master of the distance! The Osman strain was founded from a wide ranging blend of many. The Osman’s were a strain whose members were of medium size and whose colors were mainly Red Checker, Mealy, Black Check, Blue Check, Blue Bar and Splash. They descended initially from fanciers such as Oliver, Cottel, Stanhope, Harris, and J.W. Barker. Carefully bred to the line via the father but crosses were introduced via well tried hens of impeccable long distant bloodlines. They crossed well with other strains especially the Logan’s and Gits. In fact, in the creation of his strain the founder carefully bought for many years the best representative of Gits, Rey, and Vassart by way of Belgium plus as a good friend of Logan he obtained fine specimens from the latter’s family. One of the latter was a Mother from ‘Revived Hope’ a famous Osman pigeon.

Now ‘Old Billy’ who was less known as ‘59’ was a mealy cock whose genes permeated, it is said, every bird of the Osman family for generations. His sire was bred in 1885 and was a blue checker cock known as number ‘35’ whom was bred by James Harris and descended from the Belgian bloodlines of a Mr. Pescher whereas his Mother was a J.W. Barker mealy hen born in 1886. In due time, ‘Old Billy’ sired ‘Mumpy’, ‘Mortification’, and ‘Blue Bell’ amongst others. The latter were winners from Arbroath, Thurso, and Lerwick respectively. Subsequently ‘Old Billy’s’ blood by way of his grandsons ‘Wannstead Wonder’ and ‘Forlorn Hope’, progressed the family. And so in due coarse the latter were landmark pigeons in the history of British strains. ‘Forlorn Hope’ as a breeder was responsible for many winners world wide. As a racer he was 2nd Perth, 1st Thurso, 8th Lerwick, etc.

He was about 18 years old when he died and the passing of this dark red check cock was a cause of much sadness in the Osman circle. ‘Wanstead Wonder’ also won many races including 1st Thurso and a pigeon from ‘Forlorn Hope’ (above) won 1st Federation from Lerwick in 1913 and again in 1914. The latter was a very hard race and ‘Revived Hope’ reflected the strains determination in hard bad weather races. Yes, the Osmans for its founders and hundreds of fanciers around the world got going when the going really got tough. It’s a known fact that when Morris received his first shipment in 1926 he was most disappointed. He immediately wrote Col. A. H. Osman to express this displeasure but eventually forgot to mail the letter. Two of the hens were so small rumor had it they could have passed through a napkin ring. As time passed these two small hens proved to be just the ticket as breeders, in fact, it is often said they were the cornerstones of Mr. Gordon’s family. Both were direct daughters of the famous Osman pigeon “THE NORTH SEA LASS” NURP-382-1919. For those who may not have known, in the late 1920s Col. Osman introduced a few of the Paul Sion birds. Though it’s unclear whether Mr. Gordon ever received any of this blood, I do know in the written correspondence I have between Mr. Gordon and Col. Osman there is no mention of any such exchange with the Paul Sion bloodlines included.

THE ‘MORRIS GORDON’ STRAIN

In Mr. Gordon’s own words, the foundation of this family was founded by a select few. In addition to Mr. Gordon’s original Osman imports, the R.T. Lyman birds were introduced on two occasions, 1935 and 1939. The R.T. Lyman birds were a blend of Osman, Chief George Lyman Johnson, and a few select old line Buittas from Mr. Bronsdon. Ronald Lyman’s Osman’s were also imported from Col. Osman’s finest. At one point Mr. Lyman homed a 600 mile day bird seven consecutive year’s. Moreover, R.T. Lyman is listed in the book “THE PIGEON,” by Wendell Levi, as one of the all time great fliers in the United States, Page 88 of the revised edition 1957. Mr. Lyman had always felt the book was incomplete since no mention was made of Mr. Morris Gordon or Mr. George Buitta, whom he personally ranked both men among the greatest fliers of all time. Mr. Bronsdon’s “old line” Buitta’s included some of the famous Alexander Hansenne bloodlines. It can be said with certainty that Alexander Hansenne (Verviers, Belgium) was one of the all time European greats at the distance! It is important to mention the addition of the Buitta blood was before George Buitta became loft manager of the famous Lew Curtis. Moreover, when a friend of Mr. Gordon’s (Johnny Morse) entered the service he gave Mr. Gordon a Havenith cock bird and as a result an inbred granddaughter had done very well in the races and proved to be an excellent breeder. To produce this hen, a half brother was mated with a half sister raised from the Havenith cock crossed with two Osman hens. Thus the making of an “AMERICAN ICON”, the Morris Gordon strain of birds!

In 1933 Mr. Gordon welcomed Sam Hansen as an equal partner. Over the years some have suggested Mr. Hansen was Morris Gordon’s loft manager. However, this is incorrect as they shared equally the day to day management. What made this arrangement so successful was the conflict in their working schedules. Mr. Gordon rarely attended work before mid to late morning leaving him time with the birds in the early hours of the day. On the other hand, Mr. Hansen operated a bakery route leaving him available from mid afternoon and beyond. This contrast in work schedules proved to be just the ticket as the birds were with constant care. Mr. Gordon rarely had time for correspondence and took little or no time in the selling of his birds. He left those duties to Mr. Hansen and it was well known that Sam was fairly compensated for these tasks. In the highly competitive Boston Concourse with 250-275 lofts, these two very skilled pigeon fanciers were nearly unbeatable! At one point the Gordon birds were responsible for returning a 600 mile day bird eight (8) consecutive years. Of the first (1926) six imports Mr.Gordon purchased from Col. Osman a daughter of the world famous “NORTH SEA LASS” was proven to be one of the greatest Mr. Gordon ever owned. This super breeder was one of the two small hens Mr. Gordon had received with the original six! Other prominent birds responsible for shaping one of the greatest long distance strains ever are as follows: a (R.T. LYMAN OSMAN) WCC-814-39-DARK CH. HEN. BOSTON-702-35-BLUE BAR COCK a direct son of “THE NORTH SEA LASS”, successfully flew 4 x 500 plus 2 x 600 miles. 702 was clearly one of Mr. Gordon’s early pre-potent breeders. Other foundation birds worth mentioning: BOSTON-984-35 BLUE CH. C BOSTON-302-34-BLUE CH. WFT. C BOSTON-612-33-DARK CH. H BOSTON-855-36-BLUE CH. WFT. C. won at 500 miles at 9 years of age. DOR-85-50 BLUE CH. C. sired sixteen (16) different 600 mile day birds! BOSTON-323-42-BLUE CH. C. DOR-4580-44-BLUE CH. H. won multiple 600 mile races.

It is remarkable when one studies the early pedigrees of Mr. Gordon’s birds, and one sees just how many greats there were as he built his dynasty. Gordon blood won the 600 mile Boston Concourse FIVE times! Also, winning the ALL AMERICAN AWARD five (5) times, in 1946,1947,1948,1952 and 1957. All of this before the All American Award was divided into separate divisions. At that time no other loft had ever won it more than once. On one occasion, Mr. Gordon clocked twelve (12) 600 mile day birds with a 15 bird limit. Just as an example of how intelligent the Morris Gordon birds are in 1970 Rene Cassabon received a young hen (4 months) from Joe Harasimowicz (Mr. Gordon’s attorney) of which he stocked. More than two years later Rene decided to settle this hen and as nature would have it this little hen had other things in mind. And so it was just two days later Rene received a call from Joe Harasimowicz telling of how, after two years, the little hen was home. Imagine being locked up for over two years and never having been outside and then flying 700 plus miles back to her birth place! The strain of the late Morris Gordon certainly occupies the same degree of historical esteem as all the greats before him and, in the opinion of many to this day, are number one in the annals of long distance pigeon racing worldwide!

A TYPICAL MORRIS GORDON BIRD

While establishing his winning long distance family, Mr. Gordon demonstrated astute judgment and considerable ingenuity and patience. Determined in culling to performance and type and for this reason, most Gordon birds are small pigeons. It is well documented that once after Mr. Gordon won a 600 mile Boston Concourse the winning bird became known as the robin, a name club members tagged on her as she weighed only twelve ounces. The Gordon birds are indeed a family, they are of uniform type and easily recognized as being distinct from all other strains due to their particular family characteristics. They are small, broad in the chest with plenty of muscle associated with strong backs and vents. They are shallow in the keel with an abundance of soft feather. They are a powerfully built specimen with an intelligent look about them.

A sporty looking bird with stout necks and short strong legs leaving the appearance of excellent overall balance, a close to the ground stance! Very calm and intelligent! Colors vary from Black, Dark Check, Blue Check, Black, Pied, Splashes with occasional Blue Bars, Red Checks, and Silvers. With the darker birds one can find at times a bronze overcast on the wings. Unmistakably, Morris Gordon established the leading American strain of long distance performers – unequalled at the 500-600 mile distance. And, in checking long distance performance, the Morris Gordon birds are undoubtedly without peer anywhere.

DISPERSEMENT OF BIRDS

Just after Mr. Gordon’s death (5/30/1972) his birds were acquired by Dr. Kenneth E. Leigh of York, Maine. Around that same time ‘Neill Scholl’ was notified by Mrs. Gordon that he could have the third round youngsters of which Dr. Leigh had left behind. An interesting story published that year (1972) in the Racing Pigeon News by Dr. Leon Whitney read as follows: “In the October issue of the Racing Pigeon News an advertisement of Dr. Kenneth E. Leigh of York, Maine told us that he had acquired all of the colony of birds of Morris Gordon after the death of that famous fancier. Lest readers get the impression that these pigeons represent the top Gordon birds alive, I am, out of justice to Henry Mitchell, presenting the facts about Morris Gordon pigeons today. Mr. Gordon was my good friend. Several years ago he became so ill that he felt he must dispose of all of his pigeons. I bought them all, including all of the famous 600 milers, and bred from them. Mr. Gordon’s health improved and he had to have some birds back. He came to me and took 20 of the best which he used to race and breed, but for which he paid nothing. The next year he phoned me to ask if I could drive to see him. He had had a successful year and wanted to talk pigeons; he was overstocked with young birds. To my surprise, he had regarded the 20 birds he took as a loan and told me I could take them home with me. That’s the kind of friends we were. Mr. Gordon gave me a list showing the achievements of 16 of the 20 birds. All had flown 600 miles in a day. I doubt that anyone had ever, before or since, carried a crate holding 16, 600 mile day bird racers. I cherished those birds and, along with the many other Gordon birds I had bought from him, used them for my colony of Gordon’s. Since that time Mr. Gordon gave me his surplus birds. So, all of the birds Mr. Gordon has raced since the time of his illness have been bred from pigeons which I once owned. The ancestors of many of Dr. Leigh’s colony of Gordon’s are now owned by Henry Mitchell. From them Henry has developed a colony of over 200 purebred Gordon’s. He has sold many which have continued to carry on the excellent reputation of these great little birds. Two other lofts of Gordon birds are those of Attorney Joseph Harasimowicz, the man who first introduced me to Mr. Gordon, and Verne Schumann, a man with whom I cooperated and who has many top Gordon’s and races them successfully”. And so it is that Dr. Whitney had secured many of the Gordon birds some time before Mr. Gordon’s death while Dr. Leigh received the remaining birds shortly after Mr. Gordon’s death.

OTHER NOTABLE GORDON LOFTS

Never one interested in commercializing his pigeons Mr. Gordon on occasion would part with a few birds if one was fortunate enough for such an opportunity. Few names come to mind with who had the pleasure of owning the Gordon birds. To mention only a few, certainly LaVernne Schumann must be considered as he was known for years with the success he enjoyed. Ken Ahlstrand from Rockford, Illinois would have to be another. Mr. Ahlstarnd was also known far and wide for his quality Gordon birds. Rene Cassabon (my mentor) from the Detroit, Michigan center acquired his first Gordon birds in 1957 and again in 1959. It was in this second group that a “star was born”. This (1959) group of six Gordon birds were from Joseph Harasimowicz (Mr. Gordon’s attorney) and were equal to what Morris himself owned. One of the hens acquired from Joe Harasimowicz was flown by Rene and fly she did. “JOSEPHINE”, as she was so duly known by many, won (her prize) at the 500 mile race station seventeen (17) times. Of those seventeen trips ten were mastered on the day! Ironically, Josephine was the daughter of Mr. Gordon’s famous “Old 85” the cock bird who bred 16 different 600 mile day birds! Josephine’s granddaughter ( MISS MARVEL ) won the 1970 AU HOF AWARD flying: 100 miles-8th 170 miles-6th 240 miles-1st club 7th combine 310 miles 1st club 7th combine 310 miles-1st club 78th open 254 lofts 2500 birds; 500 miles-1st club 5th open. It must be mentioned that it was not uncommon for Rene to have Gordon birds winning 8 and 9 times at the 500! I had the pleasure of knowing Rene Cassabon personally for many years and to this day it is with immense pride I preserve his wonderful colony of Morris Gordon’s. To this day the Morris Gordon strain of pigeons continues their excellence succeeding at those races when many would rather give up. The legend lives on.

By Keighla Schmidt, Staff Writer

Throughout the Bible, doves represent great love between people in life and in death. And John and Marsha Fredrichs of Credit River Township are bringing that classic idea into the contemporary world.

“They’re very symbolic for many people,” Marsha said. “They’re in the Bible and they have meaning.”

Fredrichs’ business, Wings of Love, is a white dove release company located near Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve. The birds are released at special events like weddings, funerals and graduations and then fly back to their home.

The birds are homing pigeons, which are closely related to rock doves and some biblical scholars say the two are synonymous.

“A pigeon is nothing more than a rock dove,” Marsha said. “If we used doves there is no way we’d be able to do what we do – they wouldn’t be able to come back to us all the time.”

John said researchers are unsure as to why homing pigeons are able to always fly home. There are some theories, including reading sun spots, magnetic pieces in their brains to always determine due north and hypersensitive smelling.

“It’s pretty amazing,” John said. “Pigeons have a built-in GPS.”

Genesis

The genesis of Wings of Love goes back to John’s days as a child: He raised a pigeon at his uncle’s farm. Then, as a family man he started raising homing pigeons as racing birds. He would train pigeons to race – which he still does.

Their routine includes flying around their Credit River Township home in the morning for a little while, then returning to their lofts for a well-balanced meal. They’re given medicine, vitamins and specific grains depending on their regimen for the day.

“They’re really pampered,” John said. “They really are pretty spoiled.”

On many days, John or Marsha drive the birds to areas around the state the release them, leaving the pigeons to navigate their way home. Many times the birds beat the driver home.

“They’re like athletes, they need to train and build muscle and strength to make the long trips,” John said.

Some of the well-trained birds compete in races spanning as many as 600 miles. Within a few days, his birds return home.

On average, the birds’ race until they’re about 8 years old.

“Then they learn they don’t have to come home as fast,” John said. “They still come home, but they take their time doing it.”

They’ve raised over 1,000 birds and only recall a few times when birds failed to journey home.

“That’s what they do, it’s what they know,” John said.

Events

After successfully training hundreds of racing pigeons, the passion for releases morphed about 18 years ago when the family started doing weddings.

“I always loved the all-white ones, and so did my daughter,” Marsha said. “We released them at her graduation and at her wedding and from there it became this business.”

Psalm 55:6 compares a dove’s flight to everlasting peace in death: “And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then would I fly away, and be at rest.”

And the beauty of a bride became a simile of a dove in Song of Solomon 1:15: “How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves.”

“I have verses I read at ceremonies,” Marsha said, adding there is music they play, too.

At some weddings, the release comes as a surprise; while the guests line the path for the bride and groom to exit the church, John and Marsha hand off the doves to the newlyweds.

“When they come out with the birds everyone is surprised and it’s this great event,” John said.

Other times the parents join in on the release and others have their wedding party each release a bird.

“It’s really symbolic of their new beginning together,” Marsha said.

John said when they run into customers years after their weddings, they tell them guests still talk about the dove releases.

“When people look back at your wedding 10 years down the road they probably won’t remember the colors of the dresses, what you had for dinner or what song you danced to – they will remember the doves,” John relayed.

Marsha said there are two things potential brides always ask: “They want to know if the birds will return to us and know that they’ll be safe. Then they want to know if they’ll get pooped on,” Marsha said with a chuckle. “We can honestly say no bride has ever been pooped on.”

There had been just one “accident,” actually, John said, and it was on a child who probably squeezed the bird too hard.

“The bride is always the last one to get the bird and she’s only holding it for a few seconds before releasing it,” Marsha said.

At funerals the tone is different.

Often one bird is chosen as “The Spirit Bird” John explained. Doves are known for sending messages so mourners often whisper a message to the bird to carry to the heavens.

“It can be really hard for them to let the bird go,” John said. “That bird really comes to mean a lot to them.”

“At funerals, even after all these years, it still gets to you – you choke up,” Marsha added.

One of the couple’s most memorable events was at an outdoor high school graduation ceremony. When the principal was giving his speech, one bird would be released each time he said the word “fly.” With the Fredrichs hiding, no one knew what to think. At the end of the speech 100 more birds were released.

“It was really something to see, it was amazing,” John said.

Even though they’ve been to more weddings and funerals than they care to count, each one is special.

“They’re all different. Each one is just so fun and unique … we can do whatever they are envisioning or whatever they want,” John said.

HOW TO INSTALL :

1. Download desktop theme program and save it for your deksktop

2. Double click for plothemes.exe file

3. Click Install button

DOWNLOAD NOW YOUR OWN DESKTOP WALLPAPER!! CLICK HERE

MAN BARTERS 2009-MODEL CAR WITH 2 PIGEONS

Mr Halil Kabakçıoğlu, a pigeon lover, bartered his 2009-model Ford Focus with two pigeons at an auction at Pigeon Lovers Association in Nilüfer town of Bursa, western Turkey… .

....read more

BEST WEB HOSTING - FOR CLUB, FED or COMBINE!!!! CLICK HERE!!!

Submit Your Article To Racing Pigeon Newsletter

Have a pigeon related article? Send it to our article archives for others to see! Send us your article to Racing Pigen Newsletter now!    newsletter@racingpigeonforum.com

Like this newsletter?
If you find interesting articles, we would love you to add it to your own website.
Add this link to our site on your page:

Linkcode:
30-10-2010, 00:00 Geschreven door <a href='mailto:davy.deckers@telenet.be'>Davy Deckers</a>  <a href='emailmij.php?state=emailvriend&postID=961183'><img src='https://www.bloggen.be/Images/email_vriend.gif' border='0'></a><br> </hi> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right"> <font class="bericht_content_lettertype"> <input type="radio" class="formulier_radio" value="0" onClick="javascript:stem(this.value, '961183', '1bed11b2efef993ef3f778a6fbf223e706ee22530');">0 <input type="radio" class="formulier_radio" value="1" onClick="javascript:stem(this.value, '961183', '1bed11b2efef993ef3f778a6fbf223e706ee22530');">1 <input type="radio" class="formulier_radio" value="2" onClick="javascript:stem(this.value, '961183', '1bed11b2efef993ef3f778a6fbf223e706ee22530');">2 <input type="radio" class="formulier_radio" value="3" onClick="javascript:stem(this.value, '961183', '1bed11b2efef993ef3f778a6fbf223e706ee22530');">3 <input type="radio" class="formulier_radio" value="4" onClick="javascript:stem(this.value, '961183', '1bed11b2efef993ef3f778a6fbf223e706ee22530');">4 <input type="radio" class="formulier_radio" value="5" onClick="javascript:stem(this.value, '961183', '1bed11b2efef993ef3f778a6fbf223e706ee22530');">5 - Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) </font><br/> <font class="bericht_content_lettertype"><b>Tags</b>:Racing Pigeon News</font><br/></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="10" colspan=2><img src="../Images/Skin/2/pixel.gif" width="1" height="10"></td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" border=0> <tr> <td class="datum"><font color="#000000"></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="post_titel"><a href="archief.php?ID=961181"><img src="../Images/Skin/2/pijl.gif" alt="Klik hier om een link te hebben waarmee u dit artikel later terug kunt lezen." border=0></a>Peter Boskamp Nieuwsbrief duif november 2010</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="bericht_content"> <P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt" lang=NL>Nieuwsbrief duif<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>november 2010 <BR></SPAN></strong><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt" lang=NL><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></strong></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=NL>Julianalaan 7a, 6191 AL Beek,<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>Tel: 0031-46-4371885<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN></SPAN></strong><SPAN lang=NL><A href="mailto:Boskamp@pigeonvetcenter.com">Boskamp@pigeonvetcenter.com</A><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></strong></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=NL><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></strong></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt" lang=NL><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></strong></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt" lang=NL>In de vorige nieuwsbrief heb ik het circovirus besproken, als een van de<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt" lang=NL>veroorzakers van het <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Jonge duivensyndroom. </em>Het Herpesvirus kan naast het Adonovirus beschouwd worden als een van de andere veroorzakers van dit ziektebeeld, wat de jonge duiven de laatste jaren in toenemende mate lijkt aan te tasten.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt" lang=NL><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <H2 style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 35.4pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; text-underline: none" lang=NL><U>Herpesvirus<o:p></o:p></U></SPAN></H2> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>De Herpesvirus - infectie is een veelvoorkomende aandoening bij duiven. Desondanks worden er over het algemeen maar weinig woorden aan vuil gemaakt. Hoog tijd dus voor een nadere beschouwing.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Het Herpesvirus bij duiven staat wetenschappelijk te boek als PHV1. Herpesvirussen geven veelal aanleiding tot latente infecties. Dit betekent dat het virus in de duiven aanwezig is zonder dat het aanleiding geeft tot klinische verschijnselen. In het bloed van duiven zijn er bij meer dan de helft van de duiven antistoffen tegen het virus aantoonbaar. We mogen er dan ook van uit gaan dat meer dan 60% van de duiven latent besmet is. Dit betekent dus dat ze het virus bij zich dragen , maar geen ziekteverschijnselen vertonen. In periodes van verminderde weerstand en tijdens de kweek kunnen deze duiven dan weer virus gaan uitscheiden en kunnen er zich ook ziektegevallen voordoen.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><U><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 16pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>“Veel duiven zijn latent besmet met het herpesvirus”<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></U></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Lange tijd is er vrij laconiek gedaan over de herpesbesmettingen bij de duiven. Ernstige klinische gevallen van duiven-herpesvirusinfectie waren dan ook vrij zeldzaam. De laatste jaren valt het ons in de praktijk op dat er een toename is van de klinische infecties, waarbij ook de ernst van de ziekteverschijnselen lijkt toe te nemen. Reden dus om toch waakzamer te worden hierop. Mogelijk dat de toename van de besmettingen met het circovirus hierbij een rol spelen omdat dit virus er voor zorgt dat het afweerapparaat van de duiven minder functioneert.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Normaal gesproken is het zo dat de jongen al vroeg besmet worden, vaak al bij het azen, door de ouderdieren. Ze hebben dan nog bescherming door de afweerstoffen die ze van de moeder meegekregen hebben (maternale antistoffen). Daarom treden dan meestal geen klinische verschijnselen op. Ze blijven verder dan wel levenslang besmet.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Klinische verschijnselen zijn te verwachten bij duiven die geen antistoffen hebben zodra deze met het virus in aanmerking komen. Dit kan bijvoorbeeld gebeuren bij aangekochte jongen die bij de eigen jongen geplaatst worden. Na 5-7 dagen kunnen dan ziekteverschijnselen optreden. Wanneer er dan sterke virusvermeerdering plaats vindt kan de infectiedruk zo hoog worden op het hok dat ook eigen jonge duiven met weinig antistoffen ziekteverschijnselen beginnen te vertonen. Het virus kan op deze wijze lange tijd actief blijven op een hok. Met alle gevolgen voor het jonge-duivenspeelseizoen van dien natuurlijk. Het herstel van een zwaardere virusbesmetting kan wel een tot drie weken duren.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Tijdens stress-situaties, zoals bij transport in de mand, kunnen dragers deze herpesvirussen gaan uitscheiden. Dit zal natuurlijk eerder gebeuren indien de weerstand van de duiven slecht is.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Onderzoek in Duitsland heeft uitgewezen dat in de maand juli een piek bereikt wordt in de virusuitscheiding tijdens het vervoer en dat dan wel tot 60% positieve mestmonsters gevonden worden.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Zoals gezegd lijkt het belang van het herpesvirus bij jonge duiven toe te nemen. Met name jonge duiven tussen de 2 en 10 weken kunnen klinische verschijnselen gaan vertonen. De klinische verschijnselen variëren sterk. Van acute sterfte met aanzienlijke verliezen onder de jongen tot de meer bekende oogbindvliesontsteking die we dan aanduiden met “het vliesje”.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Symptomen<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Als we het totale symptomenbeeld hier opsommen, moet men bedenken dat dit maar in een beperkt aantal van de gevallen als zodanig voorkomt. Veelal is er slechts een fractie van deze verschijnselen waarneembaar. Dat maakt het stellen van een Herpesvirusbesmetting daarom soms tot een moeilijke diagnose aan de hand van alleen de klinische verschijnselen. Zeer typische herpesverschijnselen uiten zich met gelige beslagen in de mond en keelholte. Deze beslagen liggen in tegenstelling tot diphterische beslagen of beslagen bij zeer ernstige geelbesmettingen (die tegenwoordig nog maar zeer sporadisch voorkomen) als een vliesje los op het slijmvlies van de mond, tong en keel. Het virus geeft dus vooral aantasting van de voorste luchtwegen en de mond- en keelholte en de luchtpijp, de krop en<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>de slokdarm. Door de aantasting van de krop kunnen de duiven nauwelijks voer verteren en de eetlust verdwijnt daardoor ook bijna geheel. Hoewel het dus vooral een ziektebeeld is dat we zien bij duiven tussen de twee en de tien weken, kunnen deze verschijnselen ook voorkomen bij oudere duiven. Bij heftige uitbraken kan meer dan de helft van de duiven sterven aan de gevolgen van de virusbesmetting. Maar de mate waarin de verschijnselen optreden is ook afhankelijk van de weerstand van de duiven en zeker ook van de kracht (virulentie) van het virus. Dit laatste varieert nogal eens zodat de mate waarin de verschijnselen optreden ieder jaar nog wel eens kan variëren. Vaak hebben we slechts te maken met milde symptomen waarbij we soms als enige het vliesje voor het oog zien of een geelgrauwe verkleuring van de neusdoppen. Maar ook ziektebeelden waarbij hevige symptomen van de voorste luchtwegen en aantasting van de sinussen en luchtzakken komen voor. Als er bij jonge dieren weinig antistoffen aanwezig zijn kan er een algehele infectie optreden met aantasting van de lever.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Andere aandoeningen waarbij we dus beslagen in de bek kunnen aantreffen zijn het Geel, de pokken-diphterie en Candidiasis. En af en toe ingedroogd slijm na een zware vlucht. Bij pokken-diphterie en het Geel zijn de beslagen toch meer kaasachtig en hebben daardoor toch een ander aspect.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>“<U>Vaak zijn er maar weinig symptomen bij een Herpesbesmetting”<o:p></o:p></U></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Omdat het merendeel van de Herpesvirusinfectie toch nog steeds een redelijk mild verloop hebben, is de rol van dit virus vooral van belang in het geheel van het Ornithose-complex. Tegen het virus zelf is namelijk weinig te beginnen. Hebben we te maken met een ernstige besmetting dan wordt preventief medicatie gegeven om de duiven te ondersteunen om op die manier te voorkomen dat ze aan bijkomende infecties te gronde gaan. Is er sprake van waardevolle duiven dan kan men trachten om middels het toedienen van Acyclovir gedurende een tiental dagen de ernst van de aandoening te temperen en de invloed van het virus enigszins te beteugelen. Wonderen moet men dan niet verwachten. Daarnaast kan men bij ernstig aangetaste duiven de individuele dieren ondersteunen met bijvoorbeeld Synulox tabletten. In geval van een herpesvirusinfectie kan het van nut zijn het hok te ontsmetten met Koudijs-droogontsmetter of met de Biologische vernevelaar. Mogelijk dat op deze manier de infectiedruk van het virus iets wordt vermindert doordat de hoeveelheid vrij zwevende virusdeeltjes wordt vermindert. Verneveling van bepaalde etherische oliën wordt in sommige (alternatieve) publicaties aangegeven als zijnde werkzaam tegen het aantal virusdeeltjes in de lucht. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Diagnostiek<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>De diagnostiek is dus vooral gebaseerd op de klinische verschijnselen en de vrij typische laesies in de bek. Virus isolaties wordt onder praktijkomstandigheden weinig verricht omdat dit slechts in enkele gespecialiseerde laboratoria kan worden uitgevoerd.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Het is wel belangrijk om secundaire infecties goed te onderkennen omdat de besmetting met het herpesvirus de duiven gevoeliger maken voor infecties met Coli, Staphylococcen, Streptococcen etc.). Deze dienen dan aangepakt te worden.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Zoals eerder vermeld speelt het Herpesvirus voornamelijk zijn rol in het geheel van het Jongeduivensyndroom en het Ornithose-complex. Omdat tegen enkele ziekteverwekkers die onderdeel zijn van het Ornithose-complex wel medicijnen bestaan is menig duivenliefhebber geneigd te denken dat er ook tegen het Herpesvirus medicinaal kan worden opgetreden. Dit is een hardnekkig<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>misverstand dat soms tot nogal wat frustratie bij liefhebbers kan leiden.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>Het geven van medicijnen in geval van een overwegend Herpesbesmetting kan zonder meer raadzaam <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>zijn om erger door bijkomende infecties te voorkomen. Maar het is en blijft een illusie te denken dat we deze virusinfectie met antibiotica kunnen genezen.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>De aandachtige lezer zal het nu wel duidelijk zijn dat het ook bij deze infectie vooral aankomt op preventie. Preventie houdt in dit geval ook weer in dat we moeten zorgen dat we de weerstand van de jonge duiven zo hoog mogelijk moeten zien te houden waardoor de duiven zelf zo veel mogelijk in staat zijn om zo snel mogelijk van de virusbesmetting te herstellen. Het is evenwel niet zo dat als we preventief weerstandsverhogende middelen geeft zoals de Bony-SGR of Sambuccaplus, dat men dan verzekerd is dat men gevrijwaard blijft van het Herpes-virus of andere virussen. Wel zorgt men op deze manier dat de duiven het juiste gereedschap in handen krijgen om zelf af te rekenen met deze aanvallers. Het herstel van deze besmettingen zal daardoor zeker bespoedigd worden zo blijkt in de praktijk.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Vaak is er frustratie over het slechte afkomen van de jongen. Aan de jongen is dan vaak weinig of niets te zien. Het verloop van de vluchten en het gedrag van de jongen wijst dan vaak in de richting van een Herpesinfectie als andere oorzaken worden uitgesloten. Rust zou dus op zijn plaats zijn. Met de griep onder de leden moet een mens ook niet aan een hardloopwedstrijd willen meedoen.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>Maar de meeste liefhebbers willen de jongen die op het oog goed zijn toch spelen. Wat te verwachten is gebeurt natuurlijk: <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>de jongen komen niet of veel te laat afgevlogen thuis. Ook al worden alleen de jongen gezet “waar niets aan te zien was”.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Met deze klacht worden we natuurlijk vaak geconfronteerd tijdens het jonge duiven seizoen. Rust en het gebruiken van het gezonde verstand brengt in die gevallen meer, dan erop gokken dat het “misschien wel voorbij is”. De jongen worden op deze manier immers alleen maar meer gesloopt en onnodig verspeeld.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Ons advies bij (Herpes)-virusinfecties tijdens het vliegseizoen:<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; MARGIN: 14pt 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt left 180.0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Bitstream Charter'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Bitstream Charter'" lang=NL><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT face=Verdana>1.</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">     </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>preventief de weerstand voor het seizoen zo hoog mogelijk zien te houden door bijvoorbeeld Bony-SGR te verstrekken.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt left 180.0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Bitstream Charter'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Bitstream Charter'" lang=NL><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT face=Verdana>2.</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">     </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Voor de opleervluchten de infectiedruk van secundaire infecties zo laag mogelijk houden.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt left 180.0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Bitstream Charter'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Bitstream Charter'" lang=NL><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT face=Verdana>3.</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">     </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>In geval van een uitbraak van het Herpesvirus. De duiven op rust zetten en uit laten zieken. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt left 180.0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Bitstream Charter'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Bitstream Charter'" lang=NL><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT face=Verdana>4.</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">     </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Daarbij ter preventie van verzwakking van secundaire infecties hiertegen eventueel medicatie verstrekken. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 14pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt left 180.0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Bitstream Charter'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Bitstream Charter'" lang=NL><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT face=Verdana>5.</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">     </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Daarna de duiven zelf richten om onnodige verliezen te voorkomen.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0cm; tab-stops: 180.0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Bespreking<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0cm; tab-stops: 180.0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Het Herpesvirus speelt dus een rol in het Ornithosecomplex bij duiven alsmede het Jongeduivensydroom. De ernst van de infecties lijkt onder praktijkomstandigheden de laatste jaren alleen maar toe te nemen. Een deel van de oorzaak van het probleem van het vele achterblijven van de (jonge) duiven dient dan ook gezocht te worden in de richting van de Herpesinfecties bij duiven waardoor de duiven de oriëntatie kwijtraken en de weg naar huis niet meer weten te vinden. Geneesmiddelen werken niet echt tegen het virus zodat de oplossing voorlopig gezocht moet worden in preventieve maatregelen. Van oudsher wordt gezegd dat het nut van vaccins slechts zeer beperkt is vanwege het feit dat de duiven het virus niet kwijtraken. Bij experimentele infecties met oudere vaccins werd wel bereikt dat de virusuitscheiding verminderde, maar in geval van vermindering van de weerstand gingen deze duiven, ondanks de enting het virus toch weer uitscheiden.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0cm; tab-stops: 180.0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>Een Hongaarse collega vertelde me enige jaren geleden dat hij redelijk tevreden was over een door hem gebruikt Herpesvaccin. Het gaf hem, volgens eigen zeggen de handvaten om de infectiedruk van het Herpesvirus te verminderen. Ik heb al een hele tijd getracht dit vaccin ook in onze omgeving beschikbaar te krijgen. Het lijkt er nu na uit te gaan zien dat dit gelobby vruchten begint af te werpen. Mogelijk dat het zeer binnenkort beschikbaar komen van dit vaccin voor de duiven bij kan dragen aan het verminderen van de infectiedruk doordat het helpt de uitscheiding van het virus te verminderen. Als we er dan zelf ook nog voor zorgen dat de weerstand van de duiven zo hoog mogelijk gehouden wordt zou dit vaccin mogelijk bij kunnen dragen aan het beter beheersbaar maken van het Jongeduivensyndroom. Let op dat ik hier dus ook mijn scepsis uitspreek. De daadwerkelijke werkzaamheid van het vaccin moet nog bewezen worden via uitgebreidere klinische toepassing. Maar ook al is de virusuitscheiding door het vaccin niet geheel terug te dringen dan nog kan het bijdragen aan de oplossing van het probleem waar we in toenemende mate mee kampen tijdens het jonge duivenseizoen. Vijfentwintig jaar geleden werd ook door dierenartsen gezegd dat het niet mogelijk zou zijn om het Herpesvirus bij koeien onder controle te brengen omdat het zich niet zou laten terugdringen. Nu is na een lange ent-campagne waarbij regelmatig wordt en werd gevaccineerd dit probleem toch goed beheersbaar gebleken.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN-TOP: 0cm; tab-stops: 180.0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Bitstream Charter'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt" lang=NL><FONT face=Verdana>‘In het land der blinden is één oog koning’.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt" lang=NL><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt" lang=NL><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></strong></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt" lang=NL>Succes<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:PersonName ProductID="Peter Boskamp"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt" lang=NL>Peter Boskamp</SPAN></st1:PersonName><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt" lang=NL><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt" lang=NL><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></strong></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt" lang=NL><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt" lang=NL>(NB: Mochten er liefhebbers zijn die deze nieuwsbrief niet meer wensen te ontvangen dan kunt U een mailtje sturen naar </SPAN><SPAN lang=NL><A href="mailto:dgkcentrum@planet.nl">dgkcentrum@planet.nl</A></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt" lang=NL> . We zullen U dan van de lijst verwijderen. Wij willen ons houden aan de B2B e-mailvoorschriften van de OPTA, die o.a aangeeft dat er per 1 oktober 2009 geen ongevraagde e-mail meer verzonden mag worden)</SPAN></P> <h1 align="right" class="bericht_content">30-10-2010, 00:00 Geschreven door <a href='mailto:davy.deckers@telenet.be'>Davy Deckers</a>  <a href='emailmij.php?state=emailvriend&postID=961181'><img src='https://www.bloggen.be/Images/email_vriend.gif' border='0'></a><br> </hi> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right"> <font class="bericht_content_lettertype"> <input type="radio" class="formulier_radio" value="0" onClick="javascript:stem(this.value, '961181', '3aed13acd25563584ef55397927d4124196c42530');">0 <input type="radio" class="formulier_radio" value="1" onClick="javascript:stem(this.value, '961181', '3aed13acd25563584ef55397927d4124196c42530');">1 <input type="radio" class="formulier_radio" value="2" onClick="javascript:stem(this.value, '961181', '3aed13acd25563584ef55397927d4124196c42530');">2 <input type="radio" class="formulier_radio" value="3" onClick="javascript:stem(this.value, '961181', '3aed13acd25563584ef55397927d4124196c42530');">3 <input type="radio" class="formulier_radio" value="4" onClick="javascript:stem(this.value, '961181', '3aed13acd25563584ef55397927d4124196c42530');">4 <input type="radio" class="formulier_radio" value="5" onClick="javascript:stem(this.value, '961181', '3aed13acd25563584ef55397927d4124196c42530');">5 - Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) </font><br/> <font class="bericht_content_lettertype"><b>Tags</b>:Peter Boskamp</font><br/></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="10" colspan=2><img src="../Images/Skin/2/pixel.gif" width="1" height="10"></td> </tr> </table> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" border=0> <tr> <td class="datum"><font color="#000000">29-10-2010</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="post_titel"><a href="archief.php?ID=959959"><img src="../Images/Skin/2/pijl.gif" alt="Klik hier om een link te hebben waarmee u dit artikel later terug kunt lezen." border=0></a>ZooEasy Nieuwsbrief</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="bericht_content"> <TABLE class=contentTable cellSpacing=0 summary=""> <TBODY> <TR> <TD class=contentColumn> <DIV> <TABLE class=letter cellSpacing=0> <TBODY> <TR class=main> <TD class=content> <H2>Nieuwsbrief Oktober 2010</H2> <P>In deze nieuwsbrief:</P> <UL> <LI><A href="#article0">Inleiding</A></LI> <LI><A href="#article1">Personeelswijzigingen</A></LI> <LI><A href="#article2">ZooEasy Online Ontwikkelingen </A></LI> <LI><A href="#article3">Nieuwe website</A></LI> <LI><A href="#article4">Global Orange </A></LI> <LI><A href="#article5">ZooEasy stand alone versie 10</A></LI> <LI><A href="#article6">Mailing ZooEasy stand alone versie 10</A></LI> <LI><A href="#article7">Tips & Trucs</A></LI> </UL> </TD> <TD class=box rowSpan=2> <DIV class=box> <DIV class=head> <H3><IMG alt="" src="/gui/arrow-double.gif" width=12 height=12>Online Bestellen</H3> </DIV> <DIV class=body> <UL> <LI><A href="../order.html?type=0">Volledige versie </A></LI> </UL> </DIV> </DIV> <DIV class=box> <DIV class=head> <H3><IMG alt="" src="/gui/arrow-double.gif" width=12 height=12>Partnerprogramma</H3> </DIV> <DIV class=body>Geld verdienen met uw eigen website? <A href="/nl/partnerprogramma/start.html">Meld u dan gratis aan</A> voor het ZooEasy Partner Programma. </DIV> </DIV> <DIV class=box> <DIV class=head> <H3><IMG alt="" src="/gui/arrow-double.gif" width=12 height=12>Enquete</H3> </DIV> <DIV class=body><STRONG>Wat vind u van onze nieuwsbrief?</STRONG> <FORM method=get action=enquete.html><INPUT value=opinion type=hidden name=action> <INPUT value=davy.deckers@telenet.be type=hidden name=email> <INPUT value=869 type=hidden name=id> <INPUT value=/nl/stamboom-software/sierduiven-fokken/fokkers/nieuwsbrief/869.html?email=davy.deckers@telenet.be type=hidden name=returnurl> <LABEL><INPUT value=1 type=radio name=opinion> <FONT color=#000000>Niet interessant</FONT></LABEL> <LABEL><INPUT value=2 type=radio name=opinion> <FONT color=#000000>Kan beter</FONT></LABEL> <LABEL><INPUT value=3 CHECKED type=radio name=opinion> <FONT color=#000000>Goed</FONT></LABEL> <LABEL><INPUT value=4 type=radio name=opinion> <FONT color=#000000>Zeer informatief</FONT></LABEL> <INPUT class=button value=Versturen type=submit> </FORM></DIV> </DIV> <DIV class=box> <DIV class=head> <H3><IMG alt="" src="/gui/arrow-double.gif" width=12 height=12>Suggesties</H3> </DIV> <DIV class=body><STRONG>Hebt u suggesties voor een komende nieuwsbrief?</STRONG> <FORM method=get action=enquete.html><INPUT value=suggestion type=hidden name=action> <INPUT value=davy.deckers@telenet.be type=hidden name=email> <INPUT value=/nl/stamboom-software/sierduiven-fokken/fokkers/nieuwsbrief/869.html?email=davy.deckers@telenet.be type=hidden name=returnurl> <TEXTAREA rows=3 name=suggestion>