You search, we find Pigeon Scout 24!!! Are you looking for that one special bird or strain? We are here to help 24/7... Simply fill in the Pigeon Scout 24 form and we will put all data in our system. We will check our stock to see if we have any birds for you available, you must know that not all the birds we have are listed at our website. In fact only 10% of the birds we sell come online... The other 90% is offered and sold to our known clients!!! If the bird or strain you are looking for is not available now we will ask our scouts all across Europe to start searching for that special one that you are looking for... And remember... This all for a fair and payable price... As soon as we found something for you will be contacted by us directly!!! Let us find what you are looking for click here...
Shipment to Malta Due the fact that the only flight arrives in Malta at midnight and next week's flight will arrive at 16:00 we decided togther with Joseph to postpone the shipment for 1 week... So the final shipping date is October 1....
"Op zondag 26 december (2de kerstdag) vanaf 16u00 : Kampioenendag De Snelle Vlucht Houtvenne in voetbalkantine KFC Houtvenne.
Op het programma : Huldiging der plaatselijke kampioenen, huldiging en prijsuitreiking winnaars Ronde van België, bonverkoop van plaatselijke en nationaal en internationaal gekende kampioenen."
A busy day today, the pigeons in our private lofts take a lot of time . Cocks and hen are being separated and all nest boxes will be closed The cocks will get their own perches to sit on the hens go to separate lofts So a busy week but the rest will be back next week when all work is done Also today the vet did come in for the blood test for the shipment to South Africa . The most of you guys know thats its not always easy to export birds Different rules for all countries In fact its one of those things we do not really like about our job, so much papers work is involved Anyway its a part of the job so we have to live with that I write this few word in the hope that you all will give us a break when there is a little delay in the shipment We sell birds for workingman prices For many counties we need a minimum amount of birds to be able to ship the birds for prices you are used getting from us Believe me, service is not a department of our company, its our mentality but for some things we need other people and this sometimes takes more time as we would prefer Always keep in mind we want the birds to leave as bad as you guys want them in the loft
Voor u weer de nieuwsbrief van Duivensites.nl. Voor velen is het vliegseizoen nu echt afgelopen en kan alles in gang gezet worden voor een ongestoorde rui.
Tevens is het de tijd voor analyse van het afgelopen seizoen en daaruit voortvloeiende selectie. Het beste doe je dat nu meteen, straks na de rui staan ook de nietstnutten weer mooi te glimmen en krijgen die ongewild toch nog weer een kans. Maar dat moet iedereen natuurlijk zelf weten.
Voor nu ook weer genoeg te lezen op de site, zie onderstaand overzicht met laatst geplaatste publicaties. Veel leesplezier.
22-9-2010 In het programma Hart van Nederland vertelt jeugdlid Sven Pieters over zijn hobby, de postduiven. Ook Peter Provoost komt aan het woord. Het is een heel leuk item geworden. lees meer >>
22-9-2010- Heimen Huisman Sinds een aantal jaar wordt aan het einde van het seizoen niet alleen de eindstand over het afgelopen jaar opgemaakt maar wordt ook uitgerekend welke duif in de afgelopen 3 jaar het best heeft gepresteerd. lees meer >>
21-9-2010- Henk Jurriens Met een ongelooflijk aantal inschrijvingen van 6.596 duiven gaat deze editie de boeken in als de race met de meeste deelnemende duiven tot nu toe. Vanuit 36 verschillende landen werden de duiven richting Sun City gestuurd om hier deel te gaan nemen aan de meeste prestigieuze Eenhoksrace van de wereld. lees meer >>
21-9-2010- Willem Mulder Het vliegseizoen is voorbij. Hier en daar nog wat taartvluchten. Het is donker in de lucht. Augustus was nat en september is al niet veel beter. lees meer >>
20-9-2010 Verkoop van 14 jonge duiven uit de kwekers van de Dutch Day Racers. Ras hoofdzakelijk Marijke Vink, C. & G. Koopman en inteelt op Kannibaal van Dirk van Dijck. De jongen kunnen gespeend worden na afloop van de veiling. lees meer >>
20-9-2010- Klaas Kramer De duiven sport staat bekend om zijn vele acties in den lande voor liefdadigheidsinstellingen. Tegenwoordig hebben veel mensen in hun naaste omgeving te maken met de gevreesde ziekte kanker. lees meer >>
20-9-2010- Falco Ebben Bij ons in de afdeling hadden we in 2007 de zogenaamde 'G-vluchten'. Het komt erop neer dat er pas rond 1 augustus wordt gestart met de jonge-duivenvluchten en dat de natour en jonge-duivenlijn worden samengevoegd. lees meer >>
19-9-2010- Johan Hamstra Daar zijn we alweer met een nieuwe "Kijk op ....." Ze zeggen wel eens, "gezelligheid kent geen tijd", maar mensen, komt het dat je zelf ouder wordt of gaat de tijd werkelijk zo snel. lees meer >>
18-9-2010 Zeven jonge duiven van het vermaarde Janssen origine, geboren tussen februari en half juni aangeboden door Team Elroy's Hof. Hun kweekhok bestaat uit de volgende duiven... lees meer >>
16-9-2010- Rob van Hove Vroeger, in met name de Belgische duivensport, werd er zwavelbloem bij de dorpsapotheker gekocht en aan de kwekende duiven voorgeschoteld. Sommige, melkers weten dit en doen daar nog aan mee; ik ken er al één die heeft het me zelf in een vrij recent verleden toegefluisterd. lees meer >>
Advertenties
Wilt u de nieuwsbrief van Duivensites.nl niet meer ontvangen? Klik dan op de link hieronder om af te melden of stuur een email naar info@duivensites.nl.
A long distance dream start for only 1750,- For all long distance fans that followed our results this year, this offer is one you cannot refuse!!! Now I selected 10 birds from our private loft to help someone to make a dream start on the extreme long distances. I think I do not have to spend a lot of words about the quality of our birds? With 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, in the region from Barcelona plus 4 other first we had one of our best seasons ever The batch of birds contains 10 birds (5 pairs) from our very best bloodlines The fanciers who start breeding from this 10 will secure his future for sure. We will help with advice how to pair and race the birds Shortly if you are thinking about starting or restarting on the extreme long distances this a chance you will not get very often . The price of this superb batch of birds is 1750,-. Read more>>>
Good news for fanciers in Malta.... The final date for the next shipment is September 24!!!! We have some room for a birds, so if you are thinking about buying birds this is the time to do so!!!
Nu online op PigeonPlaza: Verkoop van 14 jonge duiven uit de kwekers van de Dutch Day Racers. Ras hoofdzakelijk Marijke Vink, C. & G. Koopman en inteelt op Kannibaal van Dirk van Dijck. De jongen kunnen gespeend worden na afloop van de veiling.
Aanstaande vrijdag loopt de veiling af van een twaalftal zomerjongen van Henri Diks uit 't Goy, tweevoudig NPO winnaar (2009 én 2010) vanuit Salbris. In deze verkoop jonge duiven uit Teletekstduiven en een halfzus van de 1e NPO Salbris 2010. Wees erbij!
Wilt u een bod of kooporder uitbrengen, maar registreren of inloggen lukt u niet? Stuur dan een email naar support@pigeonplaza.nl of bel naar onderstaand nummer.
Good news for fanciers in the South Africa Today I received a call from our transport company. They confirmed the next shipping date to South Africa. The next shipment date is September 29!!!. The shipment is closed... (full) Its great to see that after the shipment in April we already have sold enough birds to arrange a shipment again!!! Its seems that the fanciers in S.A. found their way to affordable quality pigeons Like so many others in the world A head role in this process is for our official partner overt here Roger Harris. He does a great job from the beginning so a special thanks to him!!! If you are from South Africa and you are thinking about buying some birds just contact us, we will have a new shipment soon... (within 90 days). If you need help feel free to contact us at any time. Please keep in mind that not all birds we have are listed are on our website. So if the bird or strain you are looking for is not listed feel free to ask If you want to talk to someone in your own language call Roger on 0027445334865 / 0027445333756 or send an email to rogersjs@mweb.co.za. He will be happy to help you!!!
Good news for fanciers in Malta.... The final date for the next shipment is September 24!!!! We have some room for a birds, so if you are thinking about buying birds this is the time to do so!!!
Perfect new birds will come soon!!! A very busy day today First I was at the lofts to take care of the birds and after that I jumped in my car to collect some very interesting birds for you all . What to think about a large batch of direct birds from Henk Westering, Abcoude. Without any doubt one of the best fanciers I know No big fancy names on the pedigrees from Henk, no just winning birds in all generations he build his champion loft with de van Peer / Gompel / Janssens . Then we have a batch of direct Koopman birds again . Bred by Jan Nijland and from the best only Last but not least we have a batch of 100% Albert Marcelis birds So all together Perfect birds will be online soon And remember We sell birds for fixed prices, no auctions!!! No false bidding to get extra money out of your pocket, for promotion or whatever reason What you see is what you get If you are looking for real fast birds you should check our website on a regular base, they will be online soon
Good news for fanciers in Malta.... The final date for the next shipment is September 24!!!! We have some room for a birds, so if you are thinking about buying birds this is the time to do so!!!
Tot vanavond 22:00 uur kunt u bieden en een 4-tal late jonge duiven. Betreft drie gekruiste Batenburg duiven én een zuiver Batenburg: Inteelt 500 x Inteelt Witbuik.
Wilt u een bod of kooporder uitbrengen, maar registreren of inloggen lukt u niet? Stuur dan een email naar support@pigeonplaza.nl of bel naar onderstaand nummer.
Ja, het bestaat nog, Duivenlog Deze nieuwsflits is om je te attenderen op de nieuwste pennenvrucht van Willem Mulder, de link naar een nieuwsgierig filmpje van camerabeelden ´op de rug van een duif´ en meer.
1.Iedereen, die lid is van zijn nationale federatie en in de schoot van deze federatie geen voorwerp uitmaken van een rechtszaak of dopingaffaire, kan deelnemen aan dit gratis kampioenschap op voorwaarde dat alle aangegane beloftes t.o.v. Msn Duivensport en zijn leden vervuld zijn.Hiermee wordt bedoeld, duivenruil, bonverkoop, schenking of betaling, correcte uitslagen ingezonden en dit gedurende de 5voorgaande jaren
2.Er kan geen verzet worden aangetekend tegen de officiële uitslag.
3.Wie deelneemt aan dit kampioenschap aanvaardt het reglement en de deelnemingsvoorwaarden zoals hierbij beschreven door de inrichter, MSN Duivensport.
4.De diverse categorieën zijn: oude , jaarse en jonge duiven. Voor Nederland: oude & jonge
5.De uitslag is pas definitief na het controleren van de officiële uitslagen en wordt dan bekend gemaakt op de site. De uitslagen moeten ter controle op aanvraag binnen de week naar msn duivensport gestuurd worden
6.Bij gelijkheid van punten wordt verder gekeken naar het % (eventueel tot 3 of 4 cijfers na de komma)
7.Voorwaarden: Per categorie 3 uitslagenwaarop je 2 duiven geklasseerd hebt van 1e, 2e of 3e getekende.Puntenverdeling: prijzen behaald per 10tal behalen 3 punten, prijzen per 6tal 2 punten, prijzen per 3tal 1 punt. (Enkel volle prijzen komen in aanmerking, vb. 11e op 108d telt niet) Zo kan men per categorie maximaal 18 punten behalen.
8.De gewonnen prijzen moetenbehaald worden op vluchten met minimum 75 duiven en een deelname van minimum 10 liefhebbers tot en met het eerste weekend van september. 04/05 sept. 2010
9.Per categorie slechts 1 uitslag per weekend, geen (mid)weekvluchten of gelijkgesteld hieraan. Uitgestelde weekend lossingen tellen wel
10.Per categorie worden 10 liefhebbers geklasseerd, de anderen worden eervol vermeld.
11.De Algemene Kampioen en de 1ste van elke categorie ontvangen een trofee. Men kan slechts één trofee ontvangen. Indien meerdere trofeeën bij eenzelfde persoon zouden terechtkomen, wordt de trofee toegekend aan de volgende in het klassement(die op zijn beurt nog geen trofee toegekend gekregen heeft), enz.. Diegene die de trofee toegekend krijgt, krijgt ook de titel van Categorie Kampioen .
12.Iedere deelnemer ontvangt een natura prijs
13.Iedereen die zich weet te klasseren ontvangt een prijs in naturavan minimum 15
14.De Algemene Kampioen en diegene die de titelCategorie Kampioen toegewezen krijgt verbinden er zich toe een bon te schenken aan MSN Duivensport voor haar kampioenschappen en werkingfondsen.
15.Wordt Algemeen Kampioen de liefhebber die de meeste punten scoort in de 3 categorieën. Voor Nederland 2 categorieën. De eerst geklasseerde Belgische liefhebber heeft dan wel de keuze tussen oude en jaarse uitslagen om in evenredigheid te kunnen vergelijken met Nederland.(Eén uitslag per weekend)
16.Het ingevulde deelnemingsformulier dient opgestuurd te worden voor 1/10/2010
ROCKHAMPTON pigeon trainer Danny Curry thought the worst after two of his pigeons failed to return home after leaving Cardwell late last season.
However, a phone call from a farmer in Moranbah and one in Mount Larcom ensured the pair returned home albeit in a worse-for-wear state.
Curry was certain that they wouldnt fully recover but gave them a chance and its paid off.
After fully recovering, one of those pigeons, simply known as 2012 won the 1000km race from Trangie, a one hour drive west of Dubbo, NSW, to Rockhampton and set a new Rockhampton Invitation Pigeon Association (RIPA) record in the process.
2012 travelled at an incredible 1308 metres for the 12-hour and nine-minute flight.
Such was the enormity of the effort, 2012 beat its nearest rival by more than six and a half hours.
With the help of his daughter, Sharyn, Curry has had his most successful season to date and Kevin Agnew, from the RIPA, said that the results hes seeing are due to the hard work Curry has put in.
Hes had an excellent year, Agnew said.
Hes put in a mammoth effort.
Hes doing things that (other competitors) arent willing to do and is very methodical and thorough with his approach to the sport.
Simply one of those things you did when he was a kid, Curry got involved in the sport as a teen and has had an interest ever since.
There were no computer games ... in those days, Curry said.
It was chooks and birds and all my friends back then were into it then so thats where I started.
After making some adjustments to his approach to the sport earlier in the year, Curry is having his best season in recent years with the North Rockhampton resident finishing the year over 140 points ahead of his nearest competitor and Agnew is confident itd be hard to find a rival that could match Currys efforts this year.
Curry is the favourite to win the Trainer of the Year, and 2012 is the top candidate for Bird of the Year.
Earlier in the year, he took out the seasons most lucrative race, the Breeders Plate.
The Breeders Plate involves breeders partnering up with trainers and working together to compete for a share in $12,000 prize-money.
Showing his true ability, Currys pigeons won every place from first through to sixth in this seasons Plate.
The likeable character was unable to explain how and why the birds find their way back home, but it is likely that it is due to Curry and his daughters caring nature that the birds continue to fly back to the coop.
Curry said there was no way to determine the likelihood of one of his birds growing up to be a champion.
As press officer of the National Clubs I had a good opportunity to talk to winners of the big races and at the same time find out how they raced in other competition. I was quite impressed when I came across Steve & Scoot who are a breath of fresh air within the sport of pigeon racing. I said sport but to these lads it is purely a hobby that they put everything in and get a great deal of satisfaction from. For anyone who has seen them at the presentations they know that they are not going to forget them. First thoughts when you see them is Who are these fanciers they are not the type that we normally come across. Then when you get to talk to them they are two nice fanciers who have rather different ideas on racing pigeons. Ideas that are working and not what you would expect and by the time you have finished reading this article you may have come across a new idea that you might want to try yourself.
INTRODUCTION
Please introduce yourself and tell us how you got started in the sport.
We are Steve Pollitt and S. Petherbridge. Steve Pollitt: I had friends who were part of the racing pigeon scene and after thinking about it I decided I could do it. Also I was a single parent and needed a back garden hobby to help me relax away from the everyday chores around the house. Scoot Petherbridge: My first introduction to pigeons was when I was out driving and my drivers mate asked if we could take his birds for a training toss. This was something new to me so I must say thanks to Mark Henry of Milton Keynes because then looking closer at racing pigeons and have since become hooked, that was in March 2003 and what a few good years we have had since.
There are no silent partners at these lofts in fact when you come to think about it there are not many silent pigeon fanciers let alone silent partners as most people we know in pigeons can be passionate about their hobby.
Do you consider there to be any advantage having a racing partnership.
Yes because it is not a cheap hobby so with finance and sharing the workload and with flying in the WFC, MNFC, the BICC and the Harrow Den Fed we often wean to be in two places at the same time. Therefore with there being two of us who can work together racing pigeons does become that bit easier.
Are there any points that you disagree on and if so how do you compromise a situation where there is a different viewpoint?
We disagree on almost anything everything and that is why our partnership works. The deciding factor is normally; Im with the birds while youre at work. But joking apart we do discuss everything and use the least strange or totally insane option.
Do each of you have an area within the partnership where responsibilities take control regarding a decision?
No one person has control over any part of the racing or breeding on the system we both have our input and generally it comes together.
Give the readers the most memorable results that you have achieved flying as a partnership and flying on your own.
Personally I have yet to achieve a memorable result, Barcelona 748 miles was good, Pau 603 twice with the same bird (39th + 69th open, 3rd bird over 600 miles, 2 years racing) 3x1st Sections in two years and 2x top 20 Open Nationals but we can do better. We also came 10th Open Barcelona. (LJP. We have already seen top results that many would like to achieve in their life never more just a few years. National racing is not that easy)
Is there anything that you have not won in the sport that you would like to achieve?
Everyone who races at the highest level in pigeon arcing has their sights set on winning a National or achieving success at or near the top of the International races. An International top 100 or an Open in any National.
What organisations do you race with?
Harrowden South Road Fed (Sprint up to 12miles), the NFC, the MNFC and the BICC (internationals only). Flying under 620miles from Pau puts us at a nice disadvantage in the Central Section with the BICC.
Do you hold any official position and if so do you take an active part, if no what are your reasons.
We both believe in doing our share in the club and fed and I (Steve) am Fed Chairman and President plus being on the Fed race committee. I try to take an active part wherever possible. Scotty does as much as his work allows him and no doubt if he had more spare time he would take on other positions. At the moment he is on the basketting committee and is the club Chairman.
What are your lofts made of and how big are they.
No fancy lofts here as we use what ever we can get our hands on, we have 2 x 8 x 6 Natural Hood and 1 x 20 x 8. 16 natural hood and 8 stick pairs. (I said they are different).
Do you attach any importance to having a tiled roof on a loft, if so are there any benefits.
None at all, as I said we use what weve got and make the most of it. You dont need a tiled roof for good ventilation as long as the rain keeps out and the loft is cool, some of our roofs dont even do that.
Do you use any form of heating system in any of your lofts. Do you think it would be advantages for the birds?
None at all, heat can create problems. We come from a totally different approach believing that birds need to be cooled in extreme heat. If the water is frozen 3 days in a row we may put the fronts on the loft.
How do you control the ventilation in your loft?
As I said earlier all the lofts have open fronts so we let air in and out and up and down and all around, we have no control just lots of air (its free).
Do you have any grills fitted in the floor or in the boxes, are there any advantages to using them.
No grills, no frills, cant see any advantage at all, I think it creates a superb trap on the pigeons legs, if they have a fight and can cause damage to the feathers. Floor grills can create ammonia hinder line respo.
What families of pigeons do you keep?
White widows (over the water up to 500 miles.), purple haze (inland) and the branch (Pau 603, Tarbes 611, Barcelona 748). These area a blend of Van Reet, Kees Bosua and Limbourg lines.
Easterly or Westerly do you set any stall by the position and if so why.
In sprint racing the loft location and wind direction is everything over the water I believe it levels out slightly over 600 miles got the bird home then mention wind or loft location I dont thinks it matters.
BREEDING AND RACE PREPARATION/PLANNING
How do you go about bringing in a new family and what do you look for.
We go to auctions and buy what we can afford we look for whatever turns us on there are specifics a flyer that gets results but forget the name on the pedigree. They must have better results over the last two years than we have had otherwise we stick to what we have. If they are a better a team then we buy what we can afford.
When you bring in that new family do you think that they need time to acclimatise, if so how long.
We normally buy at Blackpool and pair up on the Monday after Blackpool weekend. As long as they are in good condition a randy cock bird would pair to broken glass if that was all he had and a good hen will show to a golf ball.
When looking for new pigeons do you look for a particular family, one for specialist races or club races or just by name.
We go to Blackpool and we visit as many auctions as possible and we buy whatever turns us on, we forget about the eye forget the name and w defiantly forget the pedigree.
Which of the two sexes do you consider is the most important when it comes to breeding?
You cant beat a good cock (not very often you can say that in public) hens can be just as important. Look at your results from your breeding and that gives you the answer. Its all quite simple if you look at results thats all that matters. When you start looking at other things you can soon go wrong.
Some fanciers like big hens for breeding does the size of the hen make any difference to the quality of youngsters that she breeds in your past experience.
Size is not important to us with hens or cocks, I cant say this enough look at your results do not fence yourself in. If all you breed is one size or type it is fact that is the only type you win with and then you will limit your options and you do not want to do that.
When it comes to breeding do you line-breed or use a first cross or just pair winners to winners.
We pair all of the above ways and some times we pair because we are amused by the pairing sometimes just for colour, sometimes because its the odds and sods that are left over. You never know what might come out of any pair we never know and if we did we would all be winning and there would be no losers.
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.
System and routine The mantria of pigeon racing people are continually chasing instead of sticking to one thing, if you stick to a system and routine you are well on your way, Darwin states you will only be left with birds that fit and they will breed more types that fit.
What method do you use to select your breeders
If a pigeon is in our loft at the end of the season you have earned a breed. There is no set method and (look at results) we race the birds hard the survivors are good enough for us.
Did you find your best breeding pigeon by luck or judgment?
By a lot of lucky judgement that knows what you will get when you get a cock and hen. 40 gene pairs and all those variants will never give a constant result, Its got to be a certain amount of luck nature states this.
What materials do you use for nesting
A porcelain bowl wrapped in paper with a nest felt and tobacco stalks, sometimes cut grass but only if the cock or hen pick it up while out of the loft.
When do you pair your pigeons and why then.
After Blackpool the (Monday) we do this because it helps us clear the lofts of babies before the racing commences as I stated earlier with natural hood you do not have to worry about distance pigeons and egg and babies you just pair up when you want.
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.
Eight pair of stock we breed off all our racing birds and breeding from stock usually 6 babies per pair per year some racers are used as sitters to bring up these babies. The better birds we keep there off spring all racers raise young.
Please explain the method used from pairing up until the first race.
We fly the cocks two hours each day one hour in the morning one hour in the evening during this time we introduce the natural hood system part 2. They just had two trainers this year it was 10 miles and 35 miles nine days before the first race.
Do you move the hens with the young birds?
Yes and inject cocks hens and young birds with one drop flea and wormed all cocks are left on there own on the same day or as near as we can achieve this.
What is the farthest distance that you would train your old birds or young birds?
Young birds three times at 10 miles maybe 4 old birds this year 35 miles normally 2 x 20 miles why do more, the old birds know there way home young birds do the same after three trainers or four then no more training
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.
We breed from every cock in the loft after racing. Late breds are off your best, but you loose during next years racing but we have found that the ones that are left perform well possibly one or two from every twenty.
For every 50 pigeons that you breed realistically how many of them would win at 500mls, based on your past records.
No idea have not given it any thought we dont dont think you need to know we are not that complicated we just race the birds, life will normally breed life.
RACING
How do you race your pigeons and how many.
We race 40 Natural hood cocks, we missed 2 years with most of the hens but when we start in 2009 we hope to race every hen on the same system we have from the hens perspective.
Do you compete in the National events, if not why not? Or are you happy to race in the club.
Yes, NFC, MWFC, BICC Internationals and Fed and Club the Milton Keynes South Road probably the happiest and friendliest club ever (Well may be not ever but close)
Do you ever think of competing for averages, if not why not?
If we have a chance of taking the averages then yes if not we dont It is not a prime directive we take it as it comes if you try to perform in all races you enter the averages will look after themselves.
Do you race your pigeons every week or do you prefer to condition them for a specific race.
In land we race them when they are ready channel races we race one team per National over 600 miles we tend to work on the for one race a year.
In your view do you think that a loft needs different pigeons for different distances?
Yes and no because some birds will race further as they mature but we tend to find inland sprinters i.e. our pure original Van Reet sprinters cant handle the channel and rarely perform over the water but the odd one will.
Is there any specific condition that your pigeons perform best at, or any particular time of the year?
Not really, fit and healthy is our specific condition. Observation will tell you if they are hot or not. Look at the breast meat the mantle, the poo poo the feather quality and throat colour. Some birds do it even when they do not have all of the above and the snow and down feathers.
When do you allow your racers to take a bath?
Sunday morning this is the only time they are allowed to walk around in the garden or stand on the loft or lay in the grass our pigeons can land anywhere when they are out except the garden on the loft I use a broom
Do you use any floor dressing or do you clean the pigeons out daily.
No floor dressing, twice a week we clean out sometimes 3 times sometimes once if its dry its not that important dust is a killer for restpro i.e. loft dressings no dust poo poo is cool.
Do you like to have plenty of room for the pigeons?
Room for the old birds is not important with our system, but with y/birds we think space and enough perches is really a must plenty of air and light.
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 cocks are fed in there boxes this allows you to feed different birds for different races we buy no pre mixed corn at all because this limits your options with your birds we can adapt our feed to suit. For example if the weekend weather changes during the week we can adapt quality and quantity of feeding.
Do you measure the amount that you give to each pigeon, or are they fed according to the individual pigeon.
We measure per pigeon and adapt to eat with habits and body weight and we feed according to whether they are racing. Also if they are flying, put on if they are not the mixes and amount vary accordingly but we do have a basic patter as a starting point.
Do you attach any importance to grits and minerals or can the pigeons get what they want they are out of the loft.
Any fancier that doesnt attach any importance to grits and minerals we thank you because these flyers make it easier for us to get results, also they make the number of birds sent higher get back to basics. The amount of flyers that talk about all of the products but dont use grits or mixes is astonishing.
Is there a way that your pigeons let you know when they are in form?
Oh yes they win or they come home first there is no hard and fast pattern as above if they are fit and healthy then you are in the lap of the gods or should I say wind, weather obstacles and hawks.
Do you have any secrets about what you do with your pigeons and how you get them right?
Yes, if you want to, no come and visit we are open and friendly.
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?
They get a bath, they get 50% peas and 50% home base mix (which is a secret) morning feed garlic oil on the corn and brewers yeast afternoon feed with garlic oil on the corn with vitiae and provit oregostin and cioen vinegar in the water.
How many weeks do you think a pigeon can maintain its form on the widowhood system for both cocks and hens?
We have no problem in holding form on our system we dont fly normal widowhood. A week off is sometimes enough to bring them back on form, a bird that has flown in a hard race will weed nowhere. Pigeons dont have form really theyre ready on the lot.
Does this include channel races or are the specified number of weeks for sprint races and do you think that a pigeon can be prepared at fortnightly intervals for the channel races.
It includes all distances and channel up to 450 to 600 and is a different barrel of fish mainly Cod heads. Sprinters should go every week up to 150 if they get ill, leave them they will get better, feed them right they will race, over feeding takes them off the boil but is good if you use the tough and peak system which works well.
If your race team went off form during the season what action would you take to restore their condition?
Give them a week off because we dont have all of our race team go off form just the odd birds now and again, mainly after hard races. Good food and rest never had the whole team off the boil.
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.
We dont know because we dont fly standard widowhood or roundabout but I am working on a roundabout system, without the roundabout bit (weird).
Is a favourable loft location the single biggest factor in sprint racing.
It helps a lot feeding is probably the daddy of a good sprint man as Rufus proits feeding is good in sprint and he took 2nd and 3rd club in sprint races and 9th fed then 10th open Barcelona (748 miles) all down to feeding.
Do you treat pigeons differently with their preparation if they are to go to the bigger races whether National, Classic, Specialist club or open.
Not really as I said before, in 600 miles plus we give them different things, foods and other stuff. Sprint and channel racing is mainly feeding differently different grains but same system for all distances.
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?
We have found pigeons can fly further as they grow older, pigeons have no concept of racing only homing, some come home quicker than others, just coming home is a good start as already stated Rufus does sprint and marathon.
What proportion of you pigeons get better on subsequent trips to the long distance races and what do you call distance.
All of our 600 mile birds were quicker on subsequent visits, distance is 600mls plus may be 500 to 600mls plus. We only started 600mls plus racing last year for the first time, but in our short experience they seemed to have come more direct, we believe a pigeon has flown quicker when all he may have done is flown a straighter route.
Which is the more difficult, establishing a team of sprinters or distance pigeons and why.
Probably distance only because if they dont come home it is hard to work out what you did wrong, any pigeon did wrong, any pigeon should fly up to 150 miles no matter what you do so you can learn quicker.
Sprinter or distance, there is no difference; it is all in the feeding.
I would like to say yes but that is to all the compassing it is a difficult question to answer, we need do more research, example, a swan can fly 600 miles in 10 hours with the right food. But in the natural environment it may take weeks or even months to cover the same distance.
If you could pass on one piece of advice or tip, at this point to fanciers old and young, what would it be?
Routine if its wrong because then you can adapt it by observing your results each week. Stick to it like glue, take your time.
What problems do you think are most detrimental to race condition in modern day racing, both Old Bird and Young Bird?
Too many antibiotics creates weak pigeons and worse resistance so they will not achieve a great deal and do not last very long.
How far do you race your yearlings?
Some go 600mls plus whereas some go 125 miles and others go 350 miles, there are no steadfast rules we have no boundaries
What races do you send your long distance candidates to before their chosen race?
We like to send them 300-350 miles 2-3 weeks before they are basketed remember most distance races the birds rest from up to and over 12 in the race crate and the 1st fed races up to 125 miles.
Where do you house your widow hens?
In their own loft next to one of the cock lofts. Away from the other to cock lofts we house some widowhood hens in the widowhood lofts. This year we tried ten hens on darkness with the young birds.
Can you tell the readers your routine for preparing pigeons for the longer races? Do you look forward to the channel racing?
We love the channel, we pair approximately 2 weeks before the intended race, sometime 3 weeks before, we do not pair up to 500 miles just for the 600 mile plus races, the 450 to 500 many have the hen for a couple of days before basketing we do not train at all during the racing season because our natural hood system keeps our natural birds fit.
YOUNG BIRDS
Young bird sickness is a problem; have you had this in your loft and if so what have you treated them with.
Early on as we introduced the anti-biotic system, since then we have the odd such youngster, they just get separated till better, then they are reintroduced to the loft, we used to use anything and everything, now we use nothing except for pro vit, brewers yeast, garlic oil, cider vinegar, vitae.
Do you race your young birds, if so how many races, if not why, do you think they are better off in the longer events if they are only raced lightly.
Yes every race possible weather, it makes no difference in later life education is the one. Un raced young birds are a year behind and you are always playing catch up. Weed out the weak early we are racers if I wanted to look at pigeons I would show not race.
What do you think the sport should do to change things for the better, in relation to your points made a couple of questions ago.
It is not up to the sport it is up to the individual Pigeon racing is an individual sport if something is wrong the first sign of insanity is keep doing the same thing and expect a different result. Use no antibiotic.
Do you use any preventative medication? If a pigeon goes ill do you try to put it right or does the bird have to go.
Zero preventative medication the bird is given every chance to get better. For example we held one bird for whole season till he got better, higher immunity concept dont panic pigeons are very hardy
Earlier in the article we discussed the wind direction, do you consider that good pigeons will win in any position.
Good pigeons good system good management you wont always win but you can get up in the results even with a disadvantage wind. Management could be taking over from just having good pigeons get both and youre on to a winner
Some fanciers go out and purchase good quality winning pigeons but never appear to make the grade, why do you consider that this happens.
Learn the trade, read, listen, talk, buy dvds and go to meetings even if you only take one thing from a 3 hour moot you are still growing. For example we were watching a dvd on pigeons and the fancier said one line as a passing comment the interviewer carried on about treatments and potions we re wound the dvd 3 or 4 times to make sure we had heard right, last year and this year based on a throw a way comment.
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?
No A. B. brewers yeast garlic oil cider vinegar orego prov-vit vitae its so simple
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.
Yes we use it (we have tried it with hens this year) it may do we dont really know it might not start after separating until June the 21st the longest day. Same as everybody we do nothing special to help the moult at the end of the season i.e. light.
Are there any feeding methods for the young birds i.e. do you break them down, do you keep them hungry for control purposes, do you give them a trapping seed mix.
Just good food enough to eat, dont let them get fat if they dont fly and come in straight away not enough food if they dont fly and stay out when called too much food if they fly and come in when called you are about there (simple)
Do you attach any real importance to the pigeons wing i.e. back wing, end four flights and do you look at the wing to see if they have cast before a race. Any other comments on the wing.
We always check to see if they have a feather sprouting, we wont race them that week. Apart from that an undamaged wing is a good one Wing theories again limits your options Darens theory of evolution will give you the type of bird that suits what you do race then breed off them, two wings are better than one
If random drugs tests were carried out on your pigeons, would it reveal any substance, illegal or otherwise?
Not at all we are probably more illegal than the pigeons
THE MOULT/WINTER
What criteria do you set down for the pigeons you winter with your thoughts on the following seasons racing and breeding?
None, they all get the same treatment we do not keep them on the natural hood throughout the winter good food normally works for us we dont have to think about next year racing until it happens.
Are there any special treatments that you give your birds once the season has finished what do you recommend the readers to do with the birds
No special treatment good food let them fly when ever possible flying is important dont keep them tight birds use energy to keep warm (easy really like most things) we recommend no treatments in the winter then carry on through the racing season, break the treatment chain free your selves.
What were the last four things that you put in your drinking water, when and why and did you notice any benefits.
Orego-stim. Cider vinegar (only 2) then every day why they help with salmonella and we believe canker we notice our birds are rarely ill no antibiotic.
If you could only give your pigeons one supplement what would it be.
Pro-vit or cider vinegar or pro vit and no cider vinegar we have always been decisive or have we I am not quite sure what do u think no cider vinegar.
GENERAL
Irrespective of how your pigeons have flown, what are your views on the past season whether good or bad or the management of the sport in general.
We love it its out lives win or loose we just want to race the birds we love the banter we love to have a bet, sometimes people get annoyed with the management of the sport sometimes it is justified sometimes not. If decisions are made for the majority thats good decisions made for personnel gains are bitchieness thats sad
Taking into account distance, which is more difficult racing to your area, is it; a case of a 600ml race is a 600ml race regardless of competition or route.
600 miles is 600 miles defiantly we dont ask how difficult things are we just adapt what we do to what we want to achieve. Some times you dont have to win to have the best birds on the day its not all about position in the race. Every race shows you something that helps you learn something in advance.
Which fancier has influenced you most, in the way in which you fly your pigeons?
There are many are you ready for this Colin Harrison Mark Henry Gavin Peto Barry Graham Harvey Warner the Corketts Fuzz and Val Farrell Woodbreck lofts John Baker Terry Westwood a big hello to Mike Andy and all the guys in the Milton Keynes South Road Harrounden Fed
Which Champion pigeons over the years have left an impression on you and perhaps influenced your direction in the sport.
None we dont really go for pedigrees, we do like unusual names Like our top stock cock called Drop Wing, Red Moon Rising, or Dread Hock, Talk With Trees, One of his Offspring, we dont cloud our mind with these things that dont seem important
Whenever I have visited a loft fanciers always look at the pigeons eye. Do you consider that the eye has any importance in (a) the breeding, (b) distance races (c) sprint races. (d) The pigeons health. Or do you steer clear of the subject and if so why.
We think that all fanciers should study the eye theory and race and breed accordingly, then we could win more it is complete hog wash yet another boundary that limits people reaching there own and there pigeons full potential more eye sign please we want to win a national.
Who do you consider being the best fanciers in the Country and for what reasons.
It would be unfair to name one man people like Geoff Kirkland Frank Tasker the Corketts come to mind I believe there is a lot of exceptional flyers who probably dont get the right publicity.
What do you think can be done to take the sport forward?
Forget the youngsters target 40 plus early retirement men and women advertise the potentional for prize money to cover costs get in touch with home and leisure channel and make our own programme and pigeon racing the new rock and roll get rid of the stuffy flat cap image check us out.
What percentage do you consider it takes to win with racing pigeons for Management and pigeons and why.
70% to 30% sprint 50 % to 50% 30% 70% long distance sprinting get the feeding and system wrong for get about bird quality middle you can be slightly out but good birds come home distance if the bird has not got it doest matter what you do
What past mistakes have you learned from?
Believing everything we were told and expecting it to work instead of listening and doing the research not looking at results breeding not believing in your own abilities and using other peoples methods without considering your own.
Who or what motivates you to remain successful?
Ego and always wanting to do the best we can at what ever we do if it was not pigeons it would be something else. We fly to win and also our club vibe and the people we meet.
What qualities do you think must be present for a fancier to be classed as a top fancier and at what level must he/she have achieved results to be rightfully so-called a Champion.
Winning Nationals nothing else really matters or counts if you dont win you cannot be a champion. You can still be successful and happy and content but only winning makes champions nothing else counts maybe consistency one win does not make a champion.
Do you think winning fanciers should move on from club racing once they have reached a certain level of consistency? Are club performances paramount for personal satisfaction or sales purposes?
Club and Fed racing is the back bone of National flying all National flyers should support there local club even if they dont race in these races remember we all started some where it was probably in your local club.
To term a phrase are you a professional pigeon fancier and do your circumstances make a big difference.
Circumstances make a huge difference people who work and race are heros that really is hard work my partner works but I cant I spend all my time with the birds my partner cant but he would love to but with out his finances and help we would not be where we are now.
You are a successful fancier, there are far too many leaving the sport, to encourage fanciers to either join or stay in the sport what do you think about limiting prizes to two per race per loft. If not Why. If yes Why.
We do this in our club in Milton Keynes S R all clubs should adopt this not at any other racing though just at club level. Everybody gets a chance to score it is nice to get some cards at the end of the season only 2 prizes per flyer at club level, as many as you want at fed and national
Is pigeon racing as a hobby going beyond the average working man? Is it becoming too technical and complicated or can you keep everything simple and still win with the pigeons.
We keep it as simple as possible club racing is well within the reach of the average man and federation racing even nationals. Play to your abilities, bank balance and potential. You can build a loft from discarded ply from building sites most things can be made from stuff from tips or building sites we have done it.
What is your view on pigeon "moots" or "panels", are they over played and outdated and what do you think may bring as much or more interest to the quiet season when racing is not taking place?
Moots and panels are great, as we have said before keep collecting information sieve out the dross.
Keep the factual and the credible but never stop finding out and search moots are not out dated just not appreciated I would like to do a moot I am available for bookings at any time.
What do you think about the vaccination programme for the pigeons and do you think it affects the pigeons long term.
We do it we see no ill effects its the only medication we give our birds old and young a bit expensive though.
What do you think of veterinarians in the UK and have you had any dealings with them.
Dont bother with them there not needed at Dreadlock Lofts. Over priced should be taken to the monopolies commission.
How do you consider that the British sport is going compared to the continentals and do they have any ideas that you think would benefit the sport in the UK?
Havent really looked into it pigeon racing will get more professional as time goes by and this is good. Home racing still survives and is total professional we should not fear this it will give a good image out and attract people into the sport. The working man will not suffer people with money always invest in things they love.
What is your view on pigeon shows and showing?
Not for us but we cannot get enough of the special show types they are totally wild great to look at and sometimes really freaky power to the show man.
Do you read many magazines/Articles, if so which type of article do you find interesting and why.
BHW RP (We always read your articles Les) any article with information I use to write my self but editing but tried to make me sound normal (and I am not) I like them wild and wacky. One flew over is on the edge and getting edgier and we like that oh yes and Norman happens be our scribe.
What aspect of the sport interests you the most?
Putting the rubber in the clock without that the other is pointless, the result is the icing on the cake. We cannot work out what is working and what is not with rubbers in clocks
Is there anything that you do not like about the sport, something that you feel needs changing for the good of the sport?
Release the dogs, and brace all people and all images do not suppress things that do not fit with the image we are supposed to have heard to. In such aw individual sport the papers really like to keep the old ways and attitude by trying to doctor an image we are multi cultural (no more flat caps)
If you went into another fanciers 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.
We would leave with the best breeding pair on the best racers because we would ask anybody who was a good judge of a pigeon by handling and looks without asking questions will make mistakes. The basket is god, results are your bible, handling alone is like eye sign.
Is your loft of pigeons as strong as it was 5yrs ago?
Stronger and growing as the theories and system mature the results improve every year we have improved on our results but we are ready to accept that this will not happen every year.
Do you have any further comments about anything that we may have missed in any area of the sport?
The sun and the moon rise and fall, the wind keeps blowing, the rain keeps coming, the seasons are changing, the more you wrap the birds up in cotton wool the further behind you will fall. Yearlings fly in east winds the cold is a natural disinfectant. Systems from the past are in the past Peas, beans, and tars are not racing corn your lofts only have to look nice and cost a lot for you, the pigeons dont care if you use any human term with pigeons i.e. love hate boredom keen excited you must replace these words with stimulus. Pigeons do not know these words it can cloud your thought process. Pigeons do not race, they home, territory is a prime directive and also food and breeding is too everything else is a fluffy pink frills thats all pigeons want get it on bang a gong.
LJP. While I was going through this series of answers I was tempted to add and change but on reflection I am glad I have left it more or less as they have presented the answers. They are certainly different than any other fanciers that I have reported on. The pictures are a good reflection on what these fancier are like, they are fancier who like and enjoy their pigeons as a hobby and how they enjoy it. The 2009 season will soon be with us and it will be interesting to see if they can continue to climb the ladder in the pigeon world where competition is tough and with fanciers getting more on a level playing field it is not going to get any easier to get to the top of the pile.
Great gift for any occasion
Just any day when you need a gift for fancier in your life!!
Bert Oostlander is a pigeon fancier. He flies pigeons, breeds pigeons, trains pigeons. His international pigeon supply business in midtown Savannah, where he produces his own line of products in a 15,000-square-foot warehouse, is one of the largest pigeon operations in the country.
His supply business in Holland, where he also publishes a magazine, runs an auction site and distributes his catalogue, is just as big.
Oostlander knows pigeons. He knows about a pigeon race in China that carries a $5 million purse and one in South Africa that pays $1 million. He knows about pigeons that are sold for $200,000 each. He can't help himself.
He loves those 1-pound birds of feather and bone that can fly 1,545 yards in a minute ("15? football fields") and find his or her way home over a 700-mile course.
Let's be clear here. The man is not talking about overpass pigeons, "although I have been driving and seen a well-bred pigeon hanging out with park or common pigeons," he said. "Must have taken a wrong turn somewhere in life. Happens with humans. Why not with pigeons?"
To David "Buddy'' Gross, a fancier in Pooler, comparing the two classes of pigeons is like putting a donkey next to a racehorse. Well-bred pigeons have a longer neck. They hold their head out more. Their bone structure and muscle tone are greater. They're smarter.
Like athletes, racing pigeons live, breath and spend most of their life in training. They drink garlic juice, take bodybuilding supplements like Creatine, live in well-circulated lofts, drink water protected by dust covers and occupy quarters decorated with mirrored hawk balls. The balls are to distract the cooper hawk, the pigeon's main predator. Gross' backyard brood in Pooler gets to listen to Christian music on the radio. They also travel.
The race begins
On race day, the pigeon owners meet at a designated place, like the Food Lion in Pooler, load their caged and trained athletes into a trailer and head for the starting gate. It could be 100 miles away in Dublin, 300 in Lincoln, Ala., 507 in Holly Springs, Miss., or 700 in Russellville, Ark.
After lifting the gate and wishing the birds well, the owners hightail it back home to wait for the birds' return. Gross marks the course on a map hanging on the wall in his laundry room. The distances, the shortest route between two points ("as the crow flies"), measure an aerial transit path of the race.
Last year, one of Gross' birds took 28 out of 648 birds. He flew some 48 miles an hour.
The birds' time is calibrated by a magnetized rubber ring that circles their ankles and sets off a timer as they re-enter their coop.
'A family sport'
The sport seized both men when they were young. Gross was 13, living on East 33rd Street, and taking a shortcut through the lanes on his way to school when he saw a group of men exercising their pigeons. Intrigued, he'd sit and watch how the birds would fly away, then return to perch on the buildings. After a while, the men gave young Buddy his first birds.
"It was different back then," he said. "Each block had three or four kids with birds. We had clubs with 60 members strong. There wasn't as much to do."
Oostlander, 69, picked up the sport when he was living in Holland, where he was born. "It's a good backyard sport, a family sport," he said.
When his family moved to Detroit, he kept up his interest. Sixty years later, after careers in the auto industry and hotel and restaurant management, Oostlander and his wife, Wendy, retired. That lasted about eight years.
"Your mind goes a little weak," he said.
So he started Global Pigeon Supplies. The business, he said, became a lot bigger than either of them expected, more from business oversees and in other parts of the country outside Savannah. Oostlander, who keeps 400 birds in his Wilmington Island loft, says he's the only fancier in Savannah. He attends the club in Effingham County.
Gross is a frequent customer. Even when he worked at Union Camp, where he made his way up from a paper maker to a machine tender, Gross, 69, took care of pigeons. Now retired, he has more time to scrub the lofts twice a day and to blowtorch the floors to kill any roaches. He has time to pick up the birds, check their primary and secondary feathers, let them fly around the area and "program their brains."
He knows when they're ready to race by the bright pink color inside their mouths, by the shiny place on top of their heads and by how they stand: perfectly balanced on both feet.
"Then it's, 'Hey, I'm ready to go.' "
Gross also has a plan for when he's ready to go. He has designed a tombstone for his grave. It includes a picture of his pigeon loft, the loft's name, Journey's End, and his name.
"It'll be over at Newton Cemetery, an old, old cemetery in Pooler. I used to go hunting there when I first moved here and it was a wilderness area."
For now, Gross is mentoring a teenage boy across the street and he's getting his youngsters ready for their first race in September. But he still can't understand why more people don't race pigeons.
22-9-2010- Heimen Huisman
21-9-2010- Willem Mulder
20-9-2010- Klaas Kramer
20-9-2010- Falco Ebben
19-9-2010- Johan Hamstra
16-9-2010- Rob van Hove
ROCKHAMPTON pigeon trainer Danny Curry thought the worst after two of his pigeons failed to return home after leaving Cardwell late last season. 
