Pigeon
Racing - For The Non Fancier
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The
modern racing pigeon is descended from
the specie called the Rock Dove. In fact,
the modern bird, to be more accurate,
is a dove rather than a pigeon, and is
not a relation of the wood or stock pigeon.
Ancient
man would have seen the dove's fanatical
attachment to its home, and therefore,
tamed it not as a pet but as a message
carrier. Although the Hebrews and the
ancient Sumerians used the bird as a sacrifice
in their religious ceremonies, the ancient
Romans used it to carry messages during
the period of empire building.
As
the Romans conquered most of Europe Belgium
and a part of Holland comprised the base
camp for their legions. The principle
camp was in the Netherlands (Holland),
the nerve centre of ancient Gaul and research
confirms that in this region there existed
lofts of pigeons for their aerial post.
Thus
fortune played its part in that Holland
would share in the development of the
racing pigeon. That is why the specific
development of the sport in Belgium in
the 19th century to the extent of becoming
a national sport is due in some measure
to the Dutch and the Romans in ancient
times.
For
their national sport, the Belgians have
an almost fanatical passion. In fact,
it is a major industry in that country
and the modern racer is developed from
the Flemish Smerle. Since its origins
in 1830, long before fanciers elsewhere
had accomplished three hundred miles,
the Belgians had conquered the massive
distances from Rome, Madrid, and Corsica.
Speculation
about its origins is as fascinating as
some of the theories on its homing instinct,
but certain facts emerge that cannot be
overlooked, the racing pigeon was produced
like all thoroughbred stock from the best
endurance champions of the day.
Here
I must refer to the feral or ‘common
pigeon’ which we encounter in the
streets of our cities and towns. The latter
is distinct from the racing pigeon although
an odd lost racer maybe seen in the ferals
company, especially in the aftermath of
a hard race against the elements.
The
racer will be identified by a small ring
on its leg. If it has been lost in a race,
it will also have another ring made of
rubber. The first ring, made of aluminium,
contains its year of birth and a personal
identification number. The ring will also
contain the initials of the national organization
in which country the bird was born. In
Ireland IHU is the initials for the Irish
Homing Union. This ring has to be placed
on the young pigeon’s leg (known
as a squab or a squeaker) no later than
seven days since hatching. Otherwise,
it will not possess an identification
ring and be unsuitable for racing. Some
squeakers develop so quickly they have
to be rung at 5 or 6 days otherwise it
is impossible to place the ring over the
foot.
The
presence of a rubber ring implies that
it was in a race. On the evening prior
to a race each pigeon is given a rubber
ring containing a series of numbers allocated
to it specifically. This takes place at
an agreed venue or at a pigeon club’s
headquarters when pigeons are basketed.
This number is recorded on a race sheet
along with the pigeon’s number on
its aluminium ring. When the latter arrives
from a race the rubber ring is removed
and placed in a small shuttle and then
deposited into a tamper proof racing clock
which time stamps the pigeons arrival.
As
they meet prior to sending the birds via
official pigeon transporters to their
place of liberation, the members race
clocks are synchronized with a master
clock which is an official time source.
After the race is over the fanciers return
to their club or agreed meeting place
with their automatic timing clocks where
they are giving a final time stamp to
synchronize with the master timer. This
helps to calibrate in the event of a clock
being fast or slow. Then each clock is
opened.
To
decide the winner of a particular race
the club secretary must possess the exact
measurements of each member, i.e. the
distance from the point of liberation
to the member’s loft. The secretary
must also have the longitude and the latitude
of the race points for each member. This
requirement is based upon commissioning
a professional survey to determine the
latter. He or she must
also have the exact time of the release
at the race points. Thus with distance
in yards and the flying time in minutes
the average velocity canbe computed or
calculated. Therefore, the fancier with
the fastest average velocity wins the
race.
But
the joy or the rewards of racing is not
the be all and the end all of the sport.
The spring of the year offers one the
opportunity of mating a female (hen) with
a male (cock) for the purpose of breeding.
Indeed, the aspect of breeding is a source
of much interest for the fancier. And
there are many who are in the sport for
this alone. Racing is silver and breeding
is golden for many as the saying goes.
And
one can understand this for it is a source
of joy to see eggs hatching after approximately
18 days with the birth of two young who
are destined for training and racing.
Each will grow to a weight of approximately
one pound and 12 to 13 inches in length.
The wing span will be about 20 to 24 inches
in length and yet this small bundle will
battle against the elements after being
liberated from distances up to and beyond
one thousand miles.
Prior
to the racing weeks of the fanciers year,
baskets of birds will be released in training
exercises. This is of vital importance
in order to bring the birds into form
for racing and to ensure the removal of
any metaphorical cobwebs from their brains
which may have arisen during autumn and
winter.
There
is also the important training of young
birds for the races which start in July.
In some cases, this begins when the young
are merely three months old. These must
be handled carefully for a fanciers future
breeding and racing depends upon the young
of that year.
As
I draw to a close, I must emphasize that
racing pigeons must be kept in what the
fancier calls ‘a loft’. The
name derives from the fact that in Belgium
pigeon fanciers kept their birds in the
loft spaces of their homes. This abode
must be well ventilated and free from
dampness. Each pigeon must have enough
space and perches where they can sit.
For breeding the fancier must provide
nest boxes. The latter canbe temporary
or a permanent feature of the loft. The
loft also must have an entrance aside
from a door, the latter is referred to
as ‘a trap’ and it allows
a one way entrance from the outside to
the interior by the pigeons. It
is also important to ensure at least a
weekly bath for the stock and above all
a daily supply of clean water and corn
of good quality plus grit for the eating
process. And, as for people cleanliness
is a virtue for the thoroughbreds of the
sky. In no way must their hygiene be neglected.
Where
I live, in Ireland, there are a few clubs
as well as a Federation and many from
different backgrounds and status enjoy
the sport. In fact, Derry fanciers have
clocked pigeons on the day from French
race points at distances exceeding five
hundred miles. Again, think about it!
A little bundle being released in France
at approximately 7am on a Saturday morning
and arriving in Derry after crossing two
seas plus hundreds of miles of land to
its loft at approximately five or six
that night. What a thrill!!!
In
concluding this brief introduction to
the sport, I must add that there is a
social aspect to the fancy. Events and
functions are held which bring the members
of the clubs and their families together.
There are also the competitive showing
of the racers during the winter months.
Yes, pigeon racing is a sport for the
young and the old, and in particular,
for those of retirement and the third
age.

by: Liam O Comain
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