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.
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in my opinion its becoming a dying sport within the UK because in this day and age there is far to many other things for the young to do, putting pigeon lofts into schools with the help from mentors to over see the well being of the birds could be the way forward.
Make it way more viable for juniors and young people to get involved in pigeon racing. For instance when newcomers come to the clubhouses and hear squabbling and arguing and complaining it shuns them away immediately. I have seen and heard this many times in my tenure in pigeon racing. Also help out with the expense of flying however possible. Instead of charging newcomers big bucks for trumped up pedigreed pigeons that you want to get rid of charge them a lesser fee and give them decent pigeons that they can at least compete competitively with. Instead of trying to discredit their accomplishments aid and abet their progress. Take them under your wing and teach them like an apprentice instead of trying to clobber them right off the bat just so you can get a few more menial wins under your belt. I think it shows more character and quality of pigeons when a new flyer can win with your stock than a fellow veteran flyer who will pay big dollars and then cross it in with his already qualified birds and then claim them as his own stuff. Be free with answers when asked and do not concoct some hairbrain scheme to purposedly disrupt the newcomers chance of maybe beating you that week. Encourage not discourage be open , honest and fair and promote family values and FUN into pigeon racing, not doom and gloom and bickering.
I just returned to the sport after a 10 year absence. A few of things have changed;with GPS surveys are probably history and everybody has an electronic clock. And I see a lot of Janseens. I think there are a lot of people reentering the sport for different reasons; retirees divorcees new enthusiasts. And there are still hawks everywhere.
in asia it seems to be getting bigger and stronger i live thailand xpat from ireland and it is very good here in europe i think its the cost is the problem ido hope it is a great sport it never dies
I think we are the last generation of pigeon racers. I have raced pigeons for over 5o years. It has gotten too expensive for the average person. It’s turned into a rich man’s sport. Clocking systems cost over $1000 to start, chip rings cost $2 each. Each flyer seems to be out for himself. Feed is $25 for ONE Bag. Young people have too many other things to do (video games, etc). Even obtaining good pigeons is expensive. Parents don’t seem interested in supporting kids who are interested. Most housing communities don’t want a pigeon loft in their nieborhood. Long distance races don’t exist anymore. Most of the birds are bred for sprint racings and if you don’t live in the right location there is little chance of winning anything.
The price of gas is out of site, making training and shipping more and more expensive. And I don’t have to mention hawks and hunters.
Here in the Uk it is very popular still but the numbers of new people joining the sport are not really increasing. We need young blood to come into the sport and we need to give them encouragement and help when they do.It has become very expensive and with the recession that affects us all it makes it unattainable for many would be fanciers.We have been in the sport for 60 years and have seen the changes take place.There are a number of guys who treat the sport purely as a business and promote themselves and their birds for monetary gain. Some of their pigeons sell for thousands of pounds across the world. More oftern than not.. theses birds never win a thing for their new owners. Its not just the bird but the fancier himself/herself and their methods that make it work and make them succesful. We would always be happy to start a new fancier with whatever help was needed to get them up and running. My hubby and I particularly love racing the young birds and have been premier prize winners in our club for many years. Racing across the channel from France is also another favourite.
We have a great deal of trouble from Peregrine Falcons and sparrow hawks. Unfortunately these raptors are protected by the RSPB in the UK.It doesnt matter to this organisation that thousands of ID rings are found in their nests every year.
You don’t have to ask what we thinking of pigeon insider. I do not think but I say to you Chris, If you stop pigeon insider, I will give you a face to face visit and lay down the Leviticus law for you in not to stop at all. The only way you can stop it, is the day you die of old age. You’re a legend in racing pigeon world, Chris. It’s only an extraordinarily brilliant person like you who could link fanciers all over the world. It only cost a genius like you to keep this Pigeon Insider rollin’ as like since you started it on the first day. Please………….., Keep It Going!!!!!!!
Thank you for your kind words Vincent, I appreciate it very much. I’m glad the Pigeon Insider is helping the sport, which has always been the goal.
Hi,
In South Africa the pigeon sport is dying and very little young people is starting. I feel there is two sorts of pigeon fanciers in South Africa 1)The Profesional Racer who spend lots of money and time and he want to be a Champ with a bonus at the end of the rainbow 2)The pigeon fancier who is happy just to fly pigeons.For me the problem is a lot of fanciers live in the past and dont want to except that we life in 2012 and that the goal post is shift towords a more profesional outlook.I personely think that there must be a A League and a B League if we want to grow in numbers, we can fly together as a combine and apart as a A League and a B League and nobody fors nobody to spend money or not to spend money and we respect each other.The A League run themself and take there own decisions and so the B League.
I think that pigeon racing is dieing. because of the hawks that kill our birds. I live in st.petersburg florida U.S. there is not to many of as it is. But you know when you work hard to raise a good bird train it and it does a great time on a 100 mile distance . To see a hawk come out of no where and kill your best bird. You get a little piss off . A lot of us just want to give up.there got to be a way to get rid of the hawks to leave our birds alone at lease around the loft just dont no how. Can any one tell me what would help
I just started with some pairs this past January – so my YB’s are now ready for their first race (hopefully this next weekend). In the past 3 months I have had 3 birds make it home from Hawk Attacks. One had the back of its neck cut wide open to where you could see its breathing tube – about a 2 inch cut. Another came back 5 days ago with a gash and slice/puncture in it’s chest. The third was ripped wide open across the chest with wounds on its legs too. Numerous others have never returned and probably became part of the circle of life. Sad but that is what we live with now. I had heard that putting up an owl decoy might help keep them away from the loft but I seriously doubt it will discourage a hungry hawk. I was thinking of catching some farm pigeons and putting them out as offerings to the hawks instead of my racers.
The sport of pigeon racing in the Philippines has grown tremendously this past few years much faster than the 80’s & 90’s this is due to the availability of information from the internet and at the same time the enthusiasm that our fellow countrymen that are living aboard that are sending pigeons to help enhance the bloodline of the pigeons here.
The concentration of pigeon clubs is no longer confine at the main island of Luzon. It has spread to the Visayan region and gaining fast. There are also fancier in the Mindanao region but there are no organize pigeon racing club but hopefully not in the distance future this racing pigeons would reach the four corner of our country.
I do really agree with what Mr. Tommy De Vera that for pigeon racing sports to grow we must help our fellow fancier.
I live in South Africa and started pigoen racing in 1970. I raced until 1984. I took a break for approximately 4 fours and has been racing full time since 1989 till 2008.
In our country the sport has become and “old” people sport. Very few young people take up the sport and it is definately declining. This is of great concern to all of us loving the sport and the pigeons. The clubs and federations are trying there utmost to promote the sport, but it is sad to say, this is all in vain.
The future of pigeon racing is dimm.