This weeks discussion of the week is…
What do you think the current state of pigeon racing is?
For example do you think pigeon racing is growing or dying and why, express your views and share with others your opinions on the current state of pigeon racing by placing your vote in the poll below then posting a comment in the comment section below this post.
Loading ...Click here to post your thoughts on the current state of pigeon racing.
I used to be a keen pigeon racer in South Africa. I flew against the greats in the old Transvaal and then in the Western Cape. I then moved to New Zealand some 15 years ago where to my horror I found fanciers who kept pigeons with chickens??? I think an average fancier can easily win the lions share of prizes here. But sadly, like in other parts of the world, this great sport is in the decline with few new faces taking it up.
The economy plays a big role in this sport, also the unfair laws put in place by people who have no idea.
But saying this, its still relatively cheap to keep and race pigeons in New Zealand.
I think it all depends on where you are. With new animal laws coming into place, some areas are now prohibiting pigeons. PETA is not helping this at all! Wish we could get rid of them somehow. I feel like in my area (Utah County) that the sport is slowly growing. I am a junior member and have recruited at least one new member per year in our club. We have several that have taken a break because of family/financial reasons but once back we should have a strong club. I feel that the best way to get people hooked is take them with you train your birds and have them over to your house on race day. Watching our birds drop in from hundreds of miles away is the fastest hook there is.
hi my view is the pigeon sport is dying rapidly too much expense,hard work with not alot of reward
It is just getting too expensive, I was in the sport for 40 years when it was the poor man’s horse racing, but now can’t afford feed, stock, or training, so had to drop out
I am racing pigeons in the East Cape of South Africa sins 1989.We were about 350 members no in 1012 we are only 233 members.Some of the problems is the costs of pigeon racing now a days.The other problem is that some off the members that can afford it race 2 or 3 teams out off the same lofts,this means that one team is 27 birds.Now he race like 75 birds or more against you who can only race one team or less.This way they keep you out off the pionts.So most off the beginners saw it ass a waste off money and time because they can not complete against the bigger fanciers.Then they rather pack up and try something els.
sorry just correct the year 2012 thanks
i think now a days this game is dying in India.as it is a time consuming game with no return.the peoples who are involved in this game in India are either poor or illiterate.in old days when we have limited means of entertainment,people spend time in this game but new generation has no time for this game but if we include some things in this game to make it more funny definitely it will grow.
we have to change the old and traditional ways of game to make it grow.if we make this game professional money comes and create interest of fanciers.
Hello Sunil,
how are you where are you form india i like this i have 300 pigeons
Sunil, I have no idea from where u go your facts, You are way way out of context. The present fanciers are neither poor or illiterate as u claim.Get your facts correct before you write about India.
Ivan Phillips
(President of the Indian Racing Pigeon Federation)
In the Philippines where I started racing pigeons in 1985, the sport have grown so popular beyond what I have expected. From our city of Manila, where the sport started, it is now very popular the whole country. Clubs sprouted so fast from the northern provinces to the south.
Since i started in 1985, I never stopped helping it grow by helping new fanciers not just for birds but more importantly by giving them my basic management system. I speak about the sport in many new clubs and perform volunteer works in my mother club.
Thousands have joined local clubs.
I am glad that i have joined Pigeon Insider so that I could share more the knowledge i will be gaining thru this group. I will be updated and will help me disseminate it back to the Philippines.
Here in Vancouver where I am now, our sport is dying due also to city ordinances that controls number of birds you can have ( 12 birds only). Farther from here, it is stagnant even the regulation is friendly.
we must promote pigeon racing so that the sport will not die.
It’s current state is stagnent. Not much new blood is joining at the rate that it should. Kids are too “busy” to actually commit to something that shows true responsibility and commitment.
Now, with PETA sticking its filthy nose in our sport, who knows what the future may hold for pigeon racing. I am 32 years old and just starting out and I feel this might end soon for all of us if these “animal rights” activist use the law against us.
HI I FEEL THAT IN MY HOMETOWN IN QLD AUSTRALIA THAT THE SPORT IS SLOWLY DECLINING AS THE OLDER FLYERS REACH THE STAGE THAT THEY CAN NO LONGER FULLY CARE FOR THERE PIGEONS DUE TO PHYSICALLY NO LONGER BEING CAPABLE,HOWEVER IN OUR CLUB WE PROMOTE OUR JUNIOR FLYERS BUT ALL OF THE JUNIORS COME FROM FLYING MEMBER FAMILIES, NO JUNIORS COME FROM OUTSIDE PIGEON RACING FAMILIES AND THERE IS NO REAL PROMOTION OF THE SPORT DONE TO INCOURAGE PEOPLE INTO THE SPORT. BEFORE I STARTED RACING I ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THE SPORT FROM MY BROTHER WHO GOT ME INTO FLYING SO I FEEL THAT PROMOTION OF THE SPORT IS ALL BUT DEAD AND OUR FOCUS IS TO MUCH ON SENIOR FLYERS AND NOT THE JUNIORS, BECAUSE WITHOUT JUNIORS WE SENIORS WE ONE DAY BE TO OLD AND THERE WILL BE KNOW ONE TO CARRY ON IN THIS SPORT AND THAT WILL BE TRAGIC