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.
In the UK , industries associated with pigeon racing have long gone, Mines, Mills , Shipbuiding , Steelworks, The communities where there were frequently 2 or 3 lofts within yards of each other have gone. It used to be known as a working mans sport , the working mans racehorse !, but as in many sports and pastimes, money has caused problems within the sport .
Pigeon racing desperately needs publicity, not just about record breaking prices paid for pigeons , but let people know what goes on from the egg to a liberation. and waiting for our feathered friends to return, but on a small scale not a 100 feet loft
Hi, Colin. Thanks for reading and commenting.
That’s an interesting piece of information. I can very well imagine a group of guys from a shipyard or steel mill keeping a loft to help take their mind away from the back-breaking work. After a quick look through Wikipedia, it seems that shipbuilding is still strong in the UK, but i guess times have changed and most people probably just want to head straight to the pub after work.
Who do you think might pick up the sport, and what kind of publicity could reach them?
To many falcons about there destroying our sport
In the UK pigeon racing is dying. Costs are principally to blame in setting up, but also pigeons have been given bad press comparing street pigeons to racers. Also people want other things in life, computers , holidays and dont want the tie of pigeons, unlike old days. It is competitive but think the small backyard fancier feels he cannot compete with the large lofts…..which is wrong. Thankfully the RPRA are trying to address the situation, schools and young people are getting involved.
I think the members of the clubs that hold the titles as president to race secretary are killing the sport. They will not let you have bands until the first meeting of the year when you can get them from the AU in December
If you missed flying a season and they want to change the station you cannot vote even though you pay your dues for the full year and they keep raising the fees for shipping you just turn off a lot of flying
I could say more but I will stop here
Winston Wills
Seems to only be in the big cities from what I have seen. Im in upstate NY. I dont race but have pigeons and it was something I would like to do when I retire
Hi Chris. Greetings to you from the heart of the capital, Baghdad, and my greetings to all homing pigeon breeders … After this sport was dying in the period of sectarian fighting (2004-2009), this sport has now become throughout Iraq distinctively advanced and distinctly after reviewing the international races and publishing scientific ideas as well as obtain On distinctive origins of the pigeon, especially from Europe, and we were able to obtain all the supplies from feed and treatments, ready-made racing … Thank you Mr. Chris
on line… for the past three years, I talked to a fellow in Aleppo, Syria [yes] who does not race his birds right now, but will when peace returns. now he simply takes care of them, his family is elsewhere & safe
Hi, Rico. Do you mean to say your friend stayed behind to take care of his pigeons?? If so, that’s really touching: risking your life to take care of your feathered friends is true love. Thanks for reading the blog and for sharing that with us!
Firstly I think voting on whether the sport is dying or growing can be answered in two ways, 1. Big name fliers with their families of birds are making huge amounts of money from the sport , which is only fair as they put the work in to achieving the great results and not lets forget the cost element to them also making it all possible. So it’s growing for the elite.
2. Now about the sport not growing, How to encourage the youngsters Boys and Girls to enter the sport of pigeon racing and to see what an amazing/ awesome a pigeon really is the trials and the many obstacles a bird has to over come to its getting home to it’s loft. I am afraid I don’t have the answer . However I do think that the Top pigeon men of the sport , Could possibly do more to keeping the Sport Alive . I would like to add this is just my opinion and in NO way do I hope my opinion is taken in the wrong context. I my self am now starting back up in the sport after a break of some 20 years . Pigeons have been in my family for as long as I can remember my grandfather ,my farther, uncles, cousins .All . I my self and I am now 68yrs old . Once in the blood always in the blood . I also have two grandsons who I hope one day continue with this amazing sport
Hi, Michael.
I see too many people being discouraged from starting, or giving up, due to the current costs and heavy competition. I am happy to hear you’re getting back to pigeon racing – and after 20 years, no less.
All opinions are welcome. We all have the right to an opinion, and you expressed yours well.
There are things we can’t easily change, so i feel the best one can do is lead by example. If you show your grandsons how happy pigeons make you and what amazing creatures they are, hopefully that will spark their curiosity and give you a chance to show them the good side of the sport. I say the odds already favor you: it’s in their blood too, after all.
Thanks for reading the blog – and keep those comments coming!
Hi Chris the sport became to exspensive i have to travel 60km to basket its $10 per bird and travel cost to release the birds the club only pay half way $ 1000/00 $500/00 come from the pocket of the club member who must release them then you have to train and feed and keep them health medicine verry exspensive electronic system +- $8000/00 electronic rings $30/00 each to race 30 pigeons $900/00 for elect rings thats why the sport colaps
Kind Regards
Johnna
The sport of racing pigeons is dying….if not it’s already dead. For example, in my country, most local clubs are not recruiting new, younger members. The price of feed for pigeons is too expensive for the average fancier let alone for the new ones. Most new fanciers gave their views on the sport saying, ” I don’t see why I should spend all that money on pigeons”. Some folks think it hard to spend additional money on supplements, vitamins, accessories etc.
Also, with an uncertain future, there will be a high percentage of unemployed persons who could do without spending money on pigeons.
My view on the sport of racing pigeons is that fanciers took the fun out of the sport by making it complicated by means of additional club dues, fees, and hidden charges along with fees for vaccination, supplements, feed, etc.
Welcome back, Colin!
I can see your point. Often, what starts as competitive fun devolves into this crazy, complex thing as greed and ambition get involved and people lose sight of what they started for. Maybe it’s time to go back to simpler and more natural methods. I’ve read about some long-distance pigeon fanciers starting to follow this path.
Anyway, thanks for still reading and commenting.
Pigeon racing is dying because feedprices have risen and too
Many people out of work
Sad, but true, Frederick. But the same can be said about other things, all due the worldwide situation.
It’s important not to lose hope, though. Things will get better – and once they do, Pigeon Racing will recover. Until then, we just need to do the best we can with what we have.
Thanks for reading the blog and sharing your thoughts!