Hello,
Last weeks discussion of the week we asked what you thought the current state of pigeon racing was? alarmingly the general consensus seemed to be that the sport of pigeon racing was dying and the main reason fanciers felt this way seemed to be cost. PigeonRacingPigeons.com has fanciers from all over the globe so it was pretty interesing to see some of our friends from other parts of the world say that the sport was growing. Maybe we can learn from each other and get the pigeon racing sport to grow universally all around the world by learning what each one of us are doing.
So in this weeks discussion of the week we would like to know?
What do you think fanciers can do to help the pigeon racing sport grow?
Post your comments on what you think each one of us can do to help promote the sport, also let us know if you have any ideas on how to lower costs etc. If your in an area where the sport is on the rise post your comments and let other fanciers know what has worked in your area.
We will be forwarding all of your comments to pigeon racing organizations around the world, Hopefully; together we can help the sport grow universally around the world.
Pigeon Racing Pigeons 
#1 by g.scobie on April 4, 2011 - 10:05 pm
Make it fun for the newbies, dont force them to pay up front for full participation in all the races right off. Newbies are difficult to find so its even a bigger loss when they quit, they are always going to find ways to trip up. Most often they get discouraged from an early setback. Knowing this an easy/entry level setup with many short races mixed into their first couple of race seasons would allow them to participate and concentrate on getting results at their own level, more experienced flyers could also ship (but only as training). Some call these apprenticeship races, A and B races or whatever, after a couple of years or more the newbies will have established a least a few seasoned birds for a flying team, and should then be able to compete and take on longer races with the club champs.
#2 by Richard Palmer on April 3, 2011 - 1:55 pm
Mentors, mentors, mentors. They are needed. Become one.
Anyone new will be overwhelmed with the amount of information available to them. They need a mentor to sift through that information with them. You can’t learn to swim or ride a bike by reading a book. I believe the same is true for the sport of racing pigeons. So be a mentor. It will be the single biggest contribution you can ever make to the sport.
#3 by Charles on April 1, 2011 - 4:37 pm
I just did a Google search for “Pigeon Racing Schedule in Southern California” and the first two pages had a couple of lofts, some articles, etc. but NO SCHEDULE. Nothing about how to enter burds, when the races are, the fees, the distances….NOTHING. Your sport isn’t popular because you keep it in the dark. In 2011, waiting for a meeting that takes place once a month to get some information just doesn’t work. If you want to be relevant, make yourself relevant.
#4 by welton on March 22, 2011 - 4:42 am
We have to some how get the younger generation involved and to make the sport affordable again.
#5 by Scott Palanos on March 15, 2011 - 10:32 pm
To increase participation within the sport, the leaders within this sport should look at how the National Wild Turkey Federation increases turkey population as well as boosting numbers within that sport. They achieved success on many levels. Marketing,Marketing,Marketing. Finding a niche and advertising within the age groups that routinely participate in this sport would be helpful. Then finding the age groups that have room for growth. The hunting shows constantly state within their monologues to take a women and child hunting and this is working. Child participation as well as women participation are growing rapidly. MikeTyson’s show needs to take part in a broad message concerning participation and getting the relatives of a pigeon jocky to take up the sport. I was speaking with friends concerning pigeon racing and they have no clue of what it takes. But they DID watch the Mike’s show. Shows like this could be used to further the sport tramendously.
#6 by Shane on February 22, 2011 - 11:44 pm
I have been out of the hobby for awhile but it still seems fairly exclusive or unknown. I think having local races with reasonable entrance fees and most importantly a purse which would be collected at the after event bbq would be cool. It would also be good if technology was incorporated so the club could be at a bbq while results came in via internet with a rfid tag on the bird and a scanner at the trap door connected to the internet so the results could be viewed by all club members at a remote location (bbq, bar, etc.). Club racing websites could be created where outsiders could look ar pictures/race results of contending pigeons to make wagers. Ten percent of the wagers could go into the clubs books to pay for club expenses. Clubs may be doing this already, these are just thoughts of someone wh has been out of the sport awhile.
#7 by Fritz Weilbach on December 19, 2010 - 4:06 pm
Here in South Africa we have a problem with the amount of yearling sales per year,and you are expected to participate.Our racing cost (transport) is also very expensive-propose that there must be some sort of subsidy from our pigeon union in South Africa.In our country there is very little exposure to the public regarding pigeon racing, i think that we must involve school chids with our sport
Tks Fritz
#8 by Ronan on December 15, 2010 - 7:59 am
Im from Generl Santos City, Philippines. Aside from Pacman as one of remarkables in this southern part of the country, we also have bombings and killings.
There were couple of individuals here who raised racing pigeons. The first one was just an ordinary person who would sell his birds for a few bucks and the other one one would sell his for way too much, without considering that raising pigeon here is not that popular yet. It discouraged me at first.
Pesisiting to raise my own birds, I acquired some pairs from Manila for a decent price. At present I have 20 birds and still counting. 10 are flyers and 4 are squeakers.
Without any clubs here, I am encouraging my friends to raise by giving them a pair or two. I am releasing my birds where people can see and get curious. Most of the time they would ask what am I doing. Thn I would explain to them and give them my number should they want to raise pigeons.
I look forward to seeing fanciers flying together in this part of the world.
This my own little way of not of making this not as a sport but as a hobby for now.
More power to pigeonracingpigeon.
#9 by Vincent G. jimenez on December 15, 2010 - 1:47 am
As a backgrounder here in the Philippines particularly in Pampanga the sport of pigeon racing is steadily growing because of the continouos advertisement and gimmiks of the different clubs through facebook , websites and other means as an example the free membership fee for those who what to join the different clubs..
#10 by arnold ginez on December 14, 2010 - 1:24 am
I think some of new fancier stop playing because of luck of knowledge with regards to this sport, like me am a new fancier, just knowing basic procedure taking care of my bird. Honestly speaking last month I’ve plan to stop it but upon logging on your site my knowledge grow a lot and starting to be interested again. My suggestion is if possible kindly include basic standard of taking care of pigeon, some technique how to raise a good breed especially on a tropical country like on us.Please do continue posting advice it help it a lot. more power on this site
#11 by Andy Gill on November 15, 2010 - 12:47 pm
Hi there,
I believe that there is no such thing as a bad pigeon, just bad fanciers. I am now into my third year of racing and I am enjoying it to no end. I am fascinated that when a fancier’s loft does not perform, it is immediately the fault of the poor quality of his birds or some or other disease that broke out in the loft, in fact just about any excuse will do. Except what is sometimes the obvious “THE FANCIER” Have they ever stopped to think that their failures may well in fact be their own fault, too much food, too little food, over exercising, under exercising, over medicating, no medicating…….. huh, me?? Never.
90% of our failures we have brought upon ourselves, the birds react to what we as their “Managers” instruct them to do. Look at any athlete and you will see that the same is true.
With that said, lets take a look at how I feel we could attract people to the sport and prevent others from leaving. Firstly, in general, fanciers need to cut the rubbish, I have never come across a sport that is so secretive, if they are flying up front they guard what they are doing with their lives. Instead of helping those that are struggling to become better. Win at all costs …… that is the motto …… and stuff the rest.
if we as fanciers were to share our combined knowledge, I am sure we would see a very different attitude to the sport, PIGEON FANCIERS are renowned for their general unfriendliness, closely guarded secrets and the lack of willing to share ideas and interests.
Our other huge problem is the act that Pigeon Muti’s (Medicines) have become a Multi Million Dollar industry, with this one being better than that one and that one being better than this one and so …. on it goes. I feel that many of the fanciers that have gone in my short time have become so disillusioned by the confusion between medications and the prices attached to them, they could not take it any longer.
“What product do you use”
“Oh I use …. X product”
“Well I use …X product and it is far better than that rubbish you are using”
How do you think this makes the new fancier feel, hurt, dazed, confused, fed up … well, put yourself in his shoes and you tell me!!
The sport needs advertising, good people, willing to share and help where they can. This is what is needed to promote our dying sport.
Rumor has it that 2o years ago in Belgium there were approximately 200 000 fanciers, there are currently +- 30 000 and of that the vast majority are over the age of 70.
How many will there be in 10 years if we don’t act now.
Passionate Fancier
#12 by terry downs on December 29, 2010 - 9:45 pm
truer word were never spoken.We need to help each other, DAM the money lets have some fun and enjoy this.
#13 by Robert Keiper on November 10, 2010 - 10:44 pm
I had pigeons several times in my life and now since I’m retired I decided it’s time to get back into racing pigeons again. To my surprise many things about the sport have really changed! I had to join a race club in another townsince there wasn’t a club in my town. My old clock was way out of date, and there was only two other people raising pigeons in my area. The feed store however still carried pigeon feed but I had to travel to another town to purchase pigeon grit.
This year concludes my third year back in the sport and I have not regretted a moment. I have won my share of races but I have also seen several others drop out of pigeons for various reasons. I agree that promoting the sport of raising and racing pigeons is part of the process of rebuilding the sport here in America. Keeping costs down and becoming more efficient at what we do can also help.Sharing our knowledge and skills can also be of benefit to a newbie. This weekend I plan to give a talk at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Mn. I hope there will be a small crowd I can talk to and engage with my “Late Hatch Race Team”. It should be a fun and interesting time. After all raising and flying pigeons should be fun. Keep up the good work with this web site. Your’s in the sport too, Robert
#14 by ALBIE on November 10, 2010 - 3:38 am
THE PROBLEM IS THAT NEW FANCIERS CANT COMPETE WITH THE REALY GOOD FANCIERS.
EVEN THOUGH THEY FEEL THAT THEY ARE PUTTING IN AS MANY HOURS AND MONEY AS THE MORE EXPIERENCED FANCIERS.
THEREFOR I SUGGEST THAT THERE MUST BE SOME KIND OF HANDICAP SYSTEM FOR THE FANCIERS THAT KEEP ON WINNING EVERYTHING.FOR EXAMPLE. WHEN THERE IS A 10 BIRD
LIMIT IN THE CLUB A FANCIER THAT HAVE WON THE CLUB POINTS MUST ONLY BE ABLE TO FLY WITH 8 PIGEONS THE NEXT SEASON AND IF HE WINS IT AGAIN THEN ONLY WITH 6 AND SO ON.
#15 by terry downs on December 29, 2010 - 9:48 pm
Why punish the winner, learn from him/her and improve your situation.Listen at your club to what the winners are saying, if you listen closely you will learn many things.
#16 by Sherif El shennawi on November 4, 2010 - 8:37 am
Dear Sir,
I believe that the following points are very important:
1- Promotion and awarness. As a lot of people specially youth haven’t heared about the racing pigeons. I would strongly recommend to pronote through Schools and sporting clubs by distributing flyers talking about this sport.
2- Fanciers should help beginners by teaching them and giving them advice of how to start with a moderate loft.
3- They can also help by selling to new fanciers with lowered prices.
4- Arrange to send news letters to old & new fanciers (by voulenteers)
Regards,
Sherif
#17 by Ronny Henderson on October 14, 2010 - 9:01 pm
I am new to pigeon racing but not pigeons. I really don’t know if it is growing or declining,but I figure it’s about like every other sport. People get in and people get out. And then some get back in again. I believe you have to love what your doing to stay at anything. I love my birds,so I enjoy the labor and things that goes along with the keeping of my birds. Yes sometimes they do get a little costly,but to me the enjoyment of having them is worth it.
If I was just in it for the money, and didn’t just enjoy the birds for what they are, I would probably get out of it.
#18 by George Howell on October 6, 2010 - 8:27 pm
The first thing we can do to grow this sport is to race pigeon, not to worry about all the money races.
2nd Help the new flyer out with advice and give them all the information that we can give.
3rd is not to pressure a person to fly when he or she is having problems like high losses. That me I loss about 50% or more birds this year why I have no Idea. When I want to stop and take a week off to try and regroup. I got this song and dance. Oh we will not have a enough flyer yes we know your having problem but we need you. People no longer look at the whole picture they only look out whats good for them and it is hurting this sport to death.
#19 by Japie Pretorius on October 4, 2010 - 5:09 am
I want to find out if anyone knows about the double up system where you send the pigeons back week after week
#20 by TONY G. on October 3, 2010 - 9:27 pm
I HAVIN RAISE PIGEONS SINCE THE 60`S BUT NEVER RACER`S BUT I`M WILLING TO TRY PIGEON RACING SOON BEFORE I RETIRE THEN I CAN DO IT FULL TIME SO I`M WANT TO START AS SOON AS I CAN RIGHT NOW I`M IN THE BROOKLYN AREA IS THERE ANYONE INTERESTED LETS GET IN TOUCH.
#21 by Christopher Adam Trella on October 2, 2010 - 10:35 pm
Share, if it had not been for flyers helping me when I was just a kid, I wouldn’t have had a great beginning.One old timer helped us build a proper loft, others donated\gave us birds. Our 1st. “stock” got to go back to the bridges & parking garages we had netted them from! Be supportive,& patient, those guys didn’t “laugh”, they just said we’d do “better” with real racers! Always tried to do the same as I got older, a kid stole birds from me. His dad marched him back to my house a few days after, I knew someone had “broken in”. I told the kid it was wrong to do that, had a nice talk with them both, you know the rest. Kid became an “understudy”- friend- fellow flyer. It’s tough dealing with zoning laws some places too, when I was in “Orange Valley Club” years ago, we had to get a lawyer to help some guys out! Stick together, even if that guy has “fancy’s”, the kid down the street has “barn pigeons” in a old dog house, the guy up the street has a winning racing loft bigger than your garage! Stick together!
#22 by pij lover on September 29, 2010 - 8:27 am
well i am from pakistan and myself a novice to this hobby but was very fortunate to have a breeder since the beginning who is been into pigeon racing since last 25 years. The guy is a great help in every aspect he even provided me with a few real bloodline pairs from his own loft.
I try to follow the rule like spielberg said just love and enjoy your birds everything else will come! peace!
#23 by danie on September 28, 2010 - 7:04 am
It is very expensive to enter the sport–building of loft, pigeons, electonic clock, feed, medicine costs will run into the tens of thousands. Once you are up and running the costs stabilised, but if you want to be competitive and improve your blood line you have to fork out lots of money. Small town racing down here in South Africa is not profitable. The people making money in the sport are those well known breeders and those people who can afford to enter birds into provincial and national lofts for the big money racing.
#24 by jay on August 20, 2010 - 9:37 am
we need to promote first this kind of hobby brings a lot of enjoyment not only for the prices, so we explain to other people who did not know the essence of sportmanship, this is not a type of vices or a gamble but it show us how to love and care our pigeons, 2nd one its good also to have an sponsor to promote this sport so that the other country become interested too,and also to have a worldwide organization to help other small club,….. this is jay from vintage loft phillipines
#25 by Michael Spiegelberg on August 9, 2010 - 5:26 pm
I Believe That Like The Name Of My Loft ( The New ” Old Skool Loft ) that we need to chill out , Enjoy The Pigeons …. I believe some are just racing Birds and Trying To Win Money — Instead Of Like Back In The Old Days where people actually enjoyed This wonderful Hobby and weren’t doing it for the almighty Buck — Here’s an awesome Link to an awesome Story That anyone wanting to do this as a Hobby or racing must Read — and Read The entire story ….
http://www.silvio-co.com/pigeons/strains.htm Do It 1st as a Hobby and Enjoy your Birds , All Else will come ! Peace !
#26 by terry downs on December 29, 2010 - 9:52 pm
well said, an Silvio’s article is a good one to read.
#27 by froy on July 28, 2010 - 10:26 am
i think the key word is to promote and teach the sport of pigeon racing for those who are interested!
#28 by Vickie Larson on June 25, 2010 - 9:32 pm
Simple , just like hunting take a kid! Share with a kid , menter a kid and help them get set up– take them on races. Get out to were the kids are and let them catch the passion that we all have. Putting a bird in a kids hand for the fist time and watching their eyes light up is worth it!
#29 by John M. Ritter on June 23, 2010 - 6:26 pm
I first started flying racing pigeons in 1943. During WW2. I gave up the sport when I went to work on the railroad. I was away from home a lot and could not properly take care and train my birds. This was about 1965. Am retired now after 46 years on the rr. Have more time nowo plan to get a few racers. We have to get more younger kids interested in the sport. We older folks are dieing out now. I was 80 last month. Many things have changed in the last few years. Hope I have given you my view of the pigeon spot.
#30 by Shawn Cullum on June 20, 2010 - 11:45 am
Why not invite kids from your naborhood to help take care of your birds, Let them have a pair that fly out of your loft. Help them with race fees let them sale or race the off spring. Basicly invest in the future of the sport.
#31 by norman r. lewellen jr. on June 2, 2010 - 9:51 pm
I think we have to go to the young 10 yr old or so. any older and they will have so many other intrests. so on the internet, promote the hobby (sport) . one very good place is at the shopping malls, state fair and any event where dads and young sons are attending.start junior clubs and promote them in the news papers. you need just a few telling there friends about racing pigeons, and it will catch on, this could be a club project, have a few show pens, and put some racing pigeons in there, and belive me it will attract youngsters, also contact the A.U. as they have all the paper work availiable, go to schools and have a show and tell event with the children. plant this wonderfull seed early in there minds, and when they settle down in the years ahead they will come back to the sport. also advertise in the local newspaper as who won the race that week end in the sport section, yours in the sport…..
Norman Lewellen
#32 by L.K. Griffin on May 12, 2010 - 3:15 pm
We just found a Malta High Flyer with band #21 2009 in Atlanta, GA. We are just curious and would enjoy knowing where he (she?) is from and any info. Thanks a bunch
#33 by rey arceo on April 30, 2010 - 12:15 am
I agree with Becky the key word here is promotion,not only in the city but also in the suburb area in which they do not know the sport or lack of knowledge.the price of the commodities that related to the sports was really shoot up maybe because somebody took advantage of it.if there’s really an organization that will take care all the things that needed in this kind of sports i:e i suggest that we can organize a cooperative that will provide or put a cooperative store that sells all the things that is necessary in this kind of sports.
rey
#34 by trev madigan on April 5, 2010 - 12:36 am
Pigeon racing is declining because it is not advertised enough
I will help anyone start .
Also my other hobbie in ring collecting is also slow now.
TREV
#35 by ARTEM on March 21, 2010 - 5:41 am
FIRST OF ALL IN THIS SPORT WE MUST HAVE A GOOD COMPANION.
TO SUSTAIN THIS SPORT ALL FANCIERS MUST HELP EACH OTHER NOT
TO TRICK BEGINNERS.
THANKS.
#36 by terry , area13loft on March 20, 2010 - 9:27 pm
i am asking for help ,have been talking &taking my birds to school, i am looking for a message capsule so we (the class) can see how messages were sent please e-mail to area13loft@yahoo.com thanks
#37 by Ron Osgood on March 20, 2010 - 7:24 am
First we must run our clubs like a business. We must Brand ourselves to the general public. We target all ages not just the youth or the retired . Who’s accountable for our sport? We are. When was the last time you promoted your sport or helped in a club fund raiser? I agree with Tom Nettis, we should have a united front and spear head an advertising campaign. If your not helping do something for our sport then your part of the problem.
#38 by jimm on March 10, 2010 - 2:46 am
of course a fancier can help the game by teaching, selling birds that perform not the rejects. cuz this is the problem in our country(Philippines), the one that sells good pigeons trick those who don’t know how to select good birds.and we could not buy birds at a low price, prices are sky high. if there cheap ones, then expect they are the rejects. so to sustain this sport, all fanciers should try to help each other, not to trick the beginners.
#39 by dave on March 11, 2010 - 2:29 am
hi sir im from the philippines too…
from what club are you racing…
can i go for a loft visit in to your loft,…
heres my contact number…09195694440
#40 by jimm on March 10, 2010 - 2:45 am
or course a fancier can help the game by teaching, selling birds that perform not the rejects. cuz this is the problem in our country(Philippines), the one that sells good pigeons trick those who don’t know how to select good birds.and we could not buy birds at a low price, prices are sky high. if there cheap ones, then expect they are the rejects. so to sustain this sport, all fanciers should try to help each other, not to trick the beginners.
#41 by Craig poido on March 5, 2010 - 8:15 pm
what a lot of people are ignorant of is what our feathered friends did for mankind yes im talking about the 1st and 2nd world wars those little buggers had hearts like lions dogging enemy fire and also trained perigons that were trained by the germans to bring them down what im getting at is a lot of people think they are just flying rats people need to be more educated on how inteligent our little friends really are to me and many of you will agree they are the ultimate little athletes people need to be educated eg on breeding medication im talking about whats in your pantrys ive learnt to be my own vet dont get me wrong vets do a fantastic job again all the very best to all fanciers world wide craig poido
#42 by Tom Menkel on March 5, 2010 - 1:28 pm
New club members need alot of assistance at the beginning.A good first impression starts with assisting in the need for young bird stock.Senior club members need to show that thay welcome and support the new flyer by giving some young birds and help educate the newest part of the club.By positive assistance the new flyer will be more involved,enthused,and develop faster as a vital part of the team.Ones persons opinion and thanks for asking.
#43 by terry downs on December 29, 2010 - 9:54 pm
sounds like a good plan to me.
#44 by arnel.leysa on February 26, 2010 - 3:55 am
promote racing activities using television and video…
#45 by baba on February 23, 2010 - 8:30 am
more interaction with fanciers around the world sharing know hows with other fanciers importing good bloodline helping in getting good bloodlines will be of great help
#46 by terry on February 11, 2010 - 3:49 pm
Gents & lady flyers our sport/hobbie is controled by fuel and feed cost at this time.Our main problem is the dollar and where to put it to our benefit, unfortunately pigeon flyers have a hard time agreeing on anything it seems like. The number of birds needed to race is also a question, which leads to feed cost & fuel for training, not to mention bands for each of us. I do know overseas they have alot of birds, but alot of flyers as well, which helps the cost in general.Fururities,1 loft races & auctions are a good thing, but not all want or can afford to do all of them, so each flyer should , in my opnion, pick what they want. Fly for the joy of it or spend the money sending birds out. Myself, I just luv to breed-em & race-em, I don’t care for futurities, and don’t send them out. I am just a backyard flyer and love it.Any new flyer I will breed YB’s for them any time, an yes I win my share.
#47 by terry , area13loft on February 10, 2010 - 12:10 pm
i dont do it for the money , i dont care how much they cost ,or what i spend on them (my birds ) i love them i do it for the pure purpose of enjoying what they have to offer me , sure if i have a great racer or a great roller ,that makes it just that much better ,but first we need to push the idea that they are the perfict pet , regardless of age ,rich or poor, where you live ,they dont care who you are as long as you care for them ,,, (THEN AND ONLY THEN ) CAN WE SHARE ALL THE GREAT THINGS THESE WONDERFUL ANIMALS ARE CAPABLE OF. the miles they will endure to reach home — (you) ,the wars ; the wheather ;any and all obsticles , then our little community of over exssesive, over compulsive,pigeon fansiers ,will spread like a fire .when i brought my first 2 white belgs home 3 yrs. ago every one around my house complained , 3 yrs. later ive given about 25 whites away to friends in the fancey; time only time and children will spread the sicknss( my wife calls it) that we enjoy so much.
#48 by PigeonMaster on February 10, 2010 - 11:11 am
Here’s a contribution to the sport of pigeon racing – http://www.pigeonregistrar.com . All we can add is to promote to everyone we know its free use and take advantage of its convenience.
*** This site is giving away to the community TECHNOLOGIES that will help expand and introduce our old sport to the younger generation and new comers. Giving up the use of our internet base software free to everyone help keep record, manage every pigeons and track inventories of every member’s birds as well as simply and facilitate showcasing pedigree records for the purpose of comradery, trade and commerce, trace of birds ancestry & descendants in a click. ***
#49 by Stepenup on February 4, 2010 - 5:43 pm
You have TO LOOK AT IT FROM BOTH SIDES, A fanciers ( pigeon racer ) that has been in it for a while invested a lot of time & money to get where he is at today and try` es to improve constantly because of the competition . Where as a beginner wants to have everything handed to them for free or at little expanse . If you want to get involved in pigeon racing do your home work on the sport. Check with fanciers out of your area to get birds ( the ones in your area will not give you good birds because they fear that you will beat them with their own birds ). I know all the above through experience .
#50 by TOM NETTIS on February 3, 2010 - 3:17 pm
BECAUSE OF THE VERY LOW NUMBER OF FANCIERS IN THE USA COMPARED TO MANY OTHER COUNTRIES IT DOESN’T MAKE MUCH SENSE TO HAVE 2 NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AT THIS TIME.
IF EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY THE OFFICERS OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS CAN PUT POLITICS ASIDE
AND JOIN TOGETHER TO UNITE ON SPORT PROMOTION PROJECTS THEN MAYBE SOMETHING POSITIVE CAN BE ACHIEVED. FOR THE AU OR IF FANATICS WE CAN COMPROMISE AND CALL THE NEW ORGANIZATION THE “UNITED STATES RACING PIGEON FEDERATION”. I REALIZE THIS WOULD TAKE SOME INTESTINAL FORTITUDE TO ACCOMPLISH BUT WE ARE WAY OVERDUE FOR A CHANGE IN OUR SPORT.RIGHT NOW THERE IS NO HOME FOR OUR SPORT EXCEPT FOR THE WORLD OF WINGS LIBRARY AND MUSEUM WHICH IS THERE FOR ALL PIGEON FANCIERS TO ENJOY. IT DOESN’T MATTER WHERE THIS MUSEUM IS LOCATED PHYSICALLY. WITH THE CURRENT TECHNOLOGY YOU CAN VISIT THE MUSEUM VIA THE INTERNET AND SOON THE KEY BOOKS WILL BE DIGITIZED SO YOU CAN REFER TO THEM IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME.THE MUSEUM ALSO HAS A MOBILE UNIT THAT GOES ON THE ROAD TO CONVENTIONS AND EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY.THE MUSEUM CAN ALSO BE USED TO PROMOTE THE SPORT. THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PLANNING A NEW MUSEUM TO HOUSE AND PRESERVE THE LIBRARY AND ALL OF THE ARTIFACTS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. IF THE USRPF INCLUDED JUST $5 IN THEIR DUES TO GIVE A STEADY INCOME STREAM TO HELP COVER THE MUSEUM’S OVERHEAD THEN THE MUSEUM’S FUND RAISERS CAN BE USED FOR IMPROVING THE 9 ACRE SITE AND PROMOTE THE SPORT VIA THE INTERNET AND PUT THE SPORT IN A POSITIVE LIGHT TO THE NONFANCY PUBLIC.
#51 by Brown Kant on February 2, 2010 - 6:54 am
Hi Chris,
I think it is not easy to help the pigeon racing sport grow in one country where the price index is high. Just like running a business, market orientation is very important. Try to fix the middle bourgeoisie, the marketing is there.
Maybe you can try another way, for example, sending your pegion to a friend of Taiwan to compete there because the cost is relatively low but the reward is high.
#52 by Rob on February 1, 2010 - 9:00 pm
Hi,
There is no golden bullet unfortunately. Some suggestions are that we have to get with the times. Nowadays this means electronic communication ie promoting the sport via tv and the internet. Every fancier needs to act as an ambassador(promoter) for the sport and take every opportunity to promote it. We must genuinly help novices with everything they need. Any person of the public who is enquiring after our hobby needs to be encouraged and not discouraged. List our hobby with every information centre. One careful note ie. be humane with your birds as bad publicity is worse than good publicity.
#53 by bonn on January 28, 2010 - 7:57 am
hello there,
for me, we should know what kind of breed we need to use or need to pair
for the race season, select properly and limit the number of birds that we are going to race in accordance of our budget and time, good day to all.
#54 by Bertie Grobler on January 26, 2010 - 4:10 pm
I watched a DVD called the most dangerous men and interesting enough these top fanciers all agreed that they have helped a lot of young fanciers around them by suplying them with reel good pigeons to start of there career in the sport. I think if everyone woud think more towards promoting the sport and helping beginners with decend pigeons to start of with everyrhing will already be costing less. Everything these days revolve around money but where is our neigbourly love gone to. This is only my personal feeling towards helping young fanciers and promoting yhe sport instead of selling it. I also started a short while ago after a absence of about 6 years from the sport and unfortunately i had to go and buy pigeons to try and get something deacent to start of with.
Greetings JHA Grobler, Pretoria, South Africa
#55 by dave on February 6, 2010 - 8:53 pm
sir, can you send me a copy of that video…i love watching videos from the papolar men i pegion racing….can you just compres the video and send it via email..my eamail add is dave_bisda@yahoo.com…..
thanks..
#56 by Don Campbell on January 25, 2010 - 10:22 pm
Thanks for all the ideas and comments brother and sisters in the sport. I’ll keep you informed with what i’m doing to help.
#57 by Don Campbell on January 25, 2010 - 10:13 pm
The more members we have the cheaper it is, what I see happening is a club gets a trailer and then they think it is control, fellows, that’s not the way we should be. When we think we are infallible remember, that it is cheaper in numbers furthermore if a club wants separate liberation so what. Don’t be children in a field crieing its my bat and ball We teach our children sportsmanship, Why not we do the same. I came back into the sport because I alwaws missed the birds but had a family to support. The first year I won a furirtury and was acused of cheating and the next year I lucked out again. I was tempted to leave the sport I eliminated most of my birds, because of this evil man. I should have read the writing on the wall when he said I’m going to start a club and you have to pool every bird to a dollar.The conclusion is men like this don’t exist,so lets get busy helping each other and listing to the wants of each other and the sport will be better.
#58 by Alex Marvel on January 24, 2010 - 8:50 pm
I know that money in needed to to operate. It seems that if money was not the driving force in every race the average joe could to fly.
#59 by GlenComLofts on January 19, 2010 - 1:36 pm
O K,I did this when i was in 4th grade and 6 kids and 2 Teachers got the Pigeon bug.And to this day still do. We need to get kids interested by “On The Job Training” Persey. Lets Bring our Racers to schools,Set up 10 to 20 birds in Show Pens,or preferably more birds and let it be like an old fashion Show N Tell type of appearance. Have Kids split up into 2 person teams or pairs. for example sally and sue make up 1 team Joe and Dave make up another team etc. Show them a video first before letting them start viewing and Showing them how a pigeon is held/handled, after watching a video on racers,rollers or fantails or whatever kind/breed of pigeon. After watching a movie like 1 on Nat Geo, Let them handle the birds and bring them to the school on the hungry side so the teachers and students can hand feed them. Which should catch the attention of some of the 20 or more teachers and students. Have yourself stand at the podium and explain to the kids about the pigeons laying,the time it takes to hatch and proper handling and training methods. also bring a few ybs in the nest for them to pat and handle,explain how banding is done and when to band,talk about how the ybs are fed by the parents.After this is all done have the teams of 2 per team[2 kids] put a note inside those special bands that hold messages and have the kids write letters and place in the band. If possible have a field trip to the loft the next day so all the kids/teams can witness the letters they wrote,which should amaze them that their bird HOMED with proof being the written letters. And to even go furter to promote these kids the loft owner/speaker could invite parents/teachers/students to visit the loft on a saturday to watch their bird {the kids/teams bird come in from a race . And to even further promote the birds bring the kids and teachers to the club the night before the race to view how race/shipping night works.-I believe this is a fantastic way to promote the sport-Glen C @ GlenComLofts. Ps. Please let me know if this idea is something youde be willing to pursue, Thanks-Glen Comeau
#60 by jojo on January 18, 2010 - 9:07 pm
for me, racing pigeon sport is a good hobby and sport just like horse racing. because it needs dedications
#61 by Ken Kobus on January 15, 2010 - 11:17 pm
You can promote all you want. When shipping costs are one dollar and up to ship each bird, plus the training, feeding, no newbie can afford it. $30 to $40 dollars per week minimum. Electronic timers, lofts and training baskets. Wouldn’t be so bad if club members were helpful and friendly. When there not, there is better things to do elsewhere. A person get’s auctioned out at these club bird sale fundraisers. Tried raffle ideas, brat fry for charity and no one wants to do anything but complain. Not a good environment for kids. Tried 4H at a meeting. Never heard from them again.
#62 by van roberts on January 11, 2010 - 5:33 pm
hi all i think charity should start at home. instead donating all the money raised at pigeon shows given to charity they should now put it back to the sport promoting the sport of racing pigeons in major news papers give money to the young to get them hook on pigeons ie free membership give free entry to some of the races then it is still a tall order,
#63 by terry , area13loft on January 4, 2010 - 6:23 pm
i think if a person offerd this (pigeon racing ) to a t.v. crew , just like horse racing,cars ect. popularity would grow first ,then intrest ,but like becky said we need to promote the sport ,news papers ,invite spectaters ,school classes, 4-h ,etc.
#64 by dave on December 31, 2009 - 1:59 am
hito everyone,..
here in the philippines we give our close friends some of our birds and ecourage them to join the race…and for those tha we have just met with loft visit we give them low price when they want to buy depends on the bloodline they want…
we ordinary filipino pegion fancier always wants to have racing pegion from other country but we cant afford to by one..so we just buy birds to some guood fanciers but the problem is they dont give the right bird we want…
hope some one give us some good bloodline birds to try it here if it is still the high class bloodline..
for concern you can e-mail me at dave_bisda@yahoo.com
thanks to everyone…
good day…
#65 by Fred on December 23, 2009 - 1:46 pm
Does anybody have a diagram on how to build widowhood nesties, and how to cut the wire fronts and make them work?
#66 by Miguel P. on December 18, 2009 - 5:52 pm
Chris, I am a retired educator, thirty two in the business and have access to many classrooms. I have made a few presentations and had bird releases at these schools. I always present with birds present. I will also take babies if available, you know, those UGLY little birds. Maybe you could help. I am looking for a CD or tape, that is not too long, that would be informative, to go along with my presentations in grades K-6. Any ideas?
Thanks, Miguel
#67 by Don Campbell on January 8, 2010 - 7:12 pm
Miguel
Mr. Jim Jenner is making a tape with the school pigeon flyers in his area. If you want contact him for info pigeonfilms.com
Don Campbell
#68 by billy stepp on December 10, 2009 - 6:25 pm
you are right fred.
#69 by Robert Lynch on December 10, 2009 - 5:40 pm
In general, we do a very poor job of promoting our hobby, myself included. We should be working with the FFA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and other youth organizations letting them know about the fun of raising and racing pigeos. Build a small loft that would house a couple of pair of breeders and maybe 20-25 yungbirds and place it in one of the FFA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc. yard to allow them to take care of the birds. Have a simulated one loft race with the 20-25 youngbirds by assigning 1-2 birds to each member. Instead of throwing you RP Digests away, carry them to your local library, feed store or doctors office. Be willing to give talks on our hobby at schools, civic clubs, etc. Promotion, promotion, promotion is what we need! Very few people know anything about the hobby of raing pigeons. We have a great hobby and need to let others know.
#70 by Aamir on December 10, 2009 - 2:24 pm
Hello Chris
I say you my teacher.so teacher plz. help me method for training
I am flying 30 racing pigeons in(Bahawal Nagar,Punjab,Pakistan).My pigeons are flying half kilometer surrounding from my homelike electric .I flying my pigeons 30 to 45 minits in the evening. my compiteators flying pigeons 3 km from my home. I Want my pigeons go straight 3km at my compiteators home and mixed with their pigeons and come back straight my home.This is the method of playing pigeon flying. i tell you our methot of training which is use in our state.
First of all pigeons open from loft. i through food on the roof of loft pigeons flying and sit on roof of the loft. then i through food on my roof pigeongs come on roof this process 15 times daily in one week. second week i flying pigeons 3 to 5 minits call back and sit on the roof of loft.this is the methoh of fitness, training and home confermation.I give the food as per your details of pigeons food.
Please send me the complete fitness and training metoh. I want my pigeons go straight 3km to 5km from my home and come back my home.For this purpose you help me as a teacher.
I shell be very thankfull to you for this help.
early action will be appricated.
truly your,s
Aamir Kamran
(Bahawal Nagar, Punjab, Pakistan)
Cell 0300-4586274
#71 by vick on December 29, 2009 - 10:11 pm
Aamir,Training birds right when they are young is very important.however breaking bad habits are possible but but take time.A champion fancier told me the train your birds by themselfs(single toss).I know this takes time but it makes the birds think.I your case with the habits of your flock you need to get a grip on feeding.The birds should be feed in the loft not on the roof.Lock the birds out in the morning for a hour and let them exercise or just sit on the loft.I perfer to push a muture bird to fly.It is a lot easy to control the diet with exercise rather that cutting the amount of feed.Don’t overfeed.When the first bird goes for water during feeding you are almost done feeding.You will never have control of your flock if you overfeed .I hope this helps.Vick
#72 by michael on December 10, 2009 - 12:19 pm
hi guys,
I would tel you that here in malta when you are pigeon fancier you are one like criminal because evry one of your neibghbers look to you saddly the first thing that we need here is that the goverment look to us as a sport,the 2nd thing is that we can help youg ones to be in the sport, 3rd is that dont make the pigeon prices like becham, ronaldo etc.this is first steps here in malta and then we can look foward.
regurds
Michael from Malta
#73 by Fred on December 10, 2009 - 8:49 am
I think that if everybody weren’t trying to sale/peddler pigeons, the cost would not be on the up rise. If we dwell on the sportmanship and compitition of the sport, and insure that our sport got half the coverage that other sports get we would have more people coming to the sport. Communication, advertisement, and dispelling some of the pigeon myths will be a good start.
#74 by don on December 9, 2009 - 10:27 pm
we need sponcership like horse racing
the horse racing people have people that chase suport for they fields we should also publicity also
#75 by Bob Schaefer on December 9, 2009 - 9:56 pm
Zoning Regulation have killed this sport in N Y city and elsewhere, i would like to see 4 H mentering programs in schools and clubhouses where in older guys would show the younger ones how to house and keep pigions as a hubby then as they grow in to it, teach them about the sport of racing Homeing Pigions in a responsable and Etical manor.
There are to maney earresponsable people in the sport looking to make a quick buck and i have seen some of these Nit-Wits pull the heads off of thier brids for not flying in the money or coming home the next day! i love my Birds and have given a few people in my comunity free start up birds, if everone who loves this sport would just give two or three people some start up birds in thier comunity the hubby would catch on. these guys would rather kill thier birds then have some one be given the blood line, its not the blood line that wins races, its how good you treet and train your birds and anyone who tells you other wise is full of it! i’ve seen guys wine races with birds they bought in Pigion Stores out of a cage For a few dollars just because the birds had a good posture and look about them but its all of the hype thats driven up the cost of racing homing pigions in my openion.
#76 by billy stepp on December 10, 2009 - 6:12 pm
hi guys billy stepp you are right a bout helping those wanting to get started buy giveing them those who cant aford to pay hi prices for the birds i am one of those who would like to start the racing game but cant afourd to buy the birds i am retired disabled but not to the point i could not take care of my birds and learn how to train them thanks for reading this billy stepp columbus nc if you know anyone close to me that will help let me know thanks.
#77 by Don Campbell on January 8, 2010 - 7:04 pm
Billy contact me on my emailat campcarp@hotmail.com about some biginner birds to race and I will help all I can then one day you can pass on to someone else
Don
#78 by Don Campbell on January 9, 2010 - 8:48 am
email.me bill and will talk I will give you some great birds 216-221-8506 phone
#79 by Carlos on December 9, 2009 - 8:54 pm
IMHO, fanciers should be the ambassadors of the sport and not wait for the organizations to do the promoting. I sincerely believe the pigeon racing is a gentleman’s sport and fanciers should show by example.
Competition cannot be avoided but the sportsmanship spirit should always be present to make the sport more attractive.
Also encourage any little interest in the sport specially in young people. We’ll never know where the next champion will come from.
#80 by Becky on December 9, 2009 - 8:50 pm
Promotion, promotion, promotion! Most people have never even heard of pigeon racing. Even the thought of raising pigeons may be new to them. It’s our responsibility to get the word out and educate people about the sport. If not, they’ll go on missing out on a lot of fun. Perhaps get your club to have a presentation at schools (pigeons, especially homers, are involved in a lot of history), or have a little set up in the local county/state fair. Newspapers are a good way to bring in some positive attention as well. I had an article in our local paper about dove hunters vs. racing pigeons. I was very surprised as to how many people I’d never met before, recognized me because they’d read my article. I was happy to know people really did read things like that.
We have a thing around here called “Farmer’s Day”. Basically on the third Saturday in July, main street becomes a swarm of tents, booths, and people. All kinds of things for sale, good music, and food. For the past couple years I’ve had a pigeon promo table set up there. I had a TV with pigeon videos playing, several show cages full of birds, as well as trophies, books, magazines, seamless bands (which I gave away to the kids who stopped by), and a manual clock. It turned out GREAT. I couldn’t tell you how many people stopped by and looked at everything. Many of them were quite interested, so I answered a lot of questions. Two people even gave me their contact info so I could find them some birds to start with.
Even if you can’t get people to jump right into pigeon racing, having them interested in pigeons in general, is a really good start. Racing is very popular and most will venture into it once they’ve been a fancier for a while.
As far as how to lower costs, that’s going to be hard for everyone now. During personal training, getting together with other club members close by and taking turns hauling helps your own pockets. Then when it comes time for the combine to ship races, minimalizing pickup points will keep the person from going all over creation to get birds on the trailer. Our combine has had to reduce the season a few times, from 8 weekends to 5 weekends. Instead of having an A and B race each weekend from the same spot, a couple weekends we’d have A from one spot, and B from another. That way all the stations are still included, but the season can still be shortened.
#81 by Mark on January 8, 2010 - 10:06 am
I think you hit on all the important points. Pigeon racing needs exposure! Start with the young schools, street fairs, farmers markets, parades, marathons, bike races, funerals, weddings, and all that.
#82 by John F DeCosta on December 9, 2009 - 8:31 pm
Just my opinion;but! If clubs and or expenses were more reasonable maybe there would be more interest. To get interest maybe club organizers or just fanciers of different types could be a guest speaker at a Boys Club, Little League baseball clinics, grammar school/junior high schools to give an orientation possibly a couple or short dvd films. Maybe pass our flyers for future pigeon shows, releases or roller competitions! Just an idea thats all,John F DeCosta