Today I find myself troubled by the anxieties expressed on the pigeon talk lines and discussion forums on the Internet. Concern that perhaps the parent organizations are failing the local clubs and members, asking too much by increasing fees, not doing enough to better the sport, etc. are topics which we have addressed with one another from time to time. Many of us believe that the elected and paid staff of such organizations have given and continue to give of themselves for the betterment of our sport.

Decline in current members and lack of new members coming into, and more importantly, remaining in the sport beyond a year or two is a real worry to our associates. One needs only to look around at a convention or gathering at a special race event to realize that it is the old timers, the snow on the mountain crowd if you will, that comprises the majority of the active membership in such groups.

Some make honest inroads on sport promotion by unique awareness efforts and give of themselves and their time on behalf of our hobby and its well being. There have been, and continue to be, excellent grass roots ideas and efforts arising from within the ranks of our fellow flyers, which we should, all applaud.

To read the complete article go to:
http://www.racingpigeonmall.com/loft/articles/Decline.htm

On July 12, 2003, the Dax International Race was released. A total of 19,400 birds started for home. The winds were out of the NE at 5 - 10 mph, and a hot and hard day was expected. Clocking on the day at 550+ miles were two lofts from the UK taking 1st & 2nd International.

The winner of 1st International was Brian Shepherd from Trowbridge - widely acknowledged as one of the best distance fliers in the UK. Several weeks earlier Brian had won 2nd and 6th Open ~ National Flying Club (NFC) from Saintes (5000+ birds).

The winning bird (by approx 30 minutes) is a super pigeon. Only 2 years old and flown on widowhood. His sire was bred by Jos Thone, and is a direct son of "Suma". The dam is from Brian’s own distance family that he’s had for many years.

The Dax winner had already won 2nd Section (Provincial), 25th Open in the British Barcelona Club ~ Nantes race and a few weeks ago was the bird that won the above-mentioned 6th Open NFC Saintes!

Crowley & Green, were the winners of 2nd International. Sorry, but I have no information to share on the ancestory of this bird.

As predicted, the Dax International turned out to be a very hard race and birds clocking in the morning of the third day were still being awarded good prizes.

Congratulations to Brian Shepherd and Crowley & Green. An outstanding achievement that all UK flyers can be proud of.

USING A BLUNT TIP SYRINGE TO HYDRATE/MEDICATE OUR THOROUGHBREDS OF THE SKY.
By: Rohan H. Fyffe (www.fyffefamilyloft.com)

Oftentimes, we find a bird in our loft that just does not look right. They will sit on their perch with feathers ruffled as if to say, "master, I do not feel well." After a fecal analysis or as most flyers do, guess at what the ailment may be and begin to practice a non-specific health program, there comes a point when some type of medicated cure has to be administered.

What and how one establishes a viable health program is not the issue here, but once you have determined the cause and proper cure, how effectively you administer medication in liquid form is? I have found that administering liquids via a Blunt Tip Piston Syringe is the better way to go. You can dunk a bird’s beak/head in the liquid but you cannot guarantee that they have taken sufficient levels of the medication to be effective. In addition, the bird must be very thirsty for the dunking method to work. My blunt tip piston syringe method is a little involved, but for that special flyer/breeder that needs some special attention, it is well worth the time. I go as far as giving extra water to my race team on shipping night. Going down for water is not tolerated in my loft. In my combine, they are supposed to water on every race, short and long distances. Does it always happen, who knows? Guys in warmer weather should try this hydrating method. It may lead to better results.

As previously stated, my product of choice is a blunt tip piston syringe. Below is a picture of the Bulb and piston styles.

To read the complete article go to (opens pdf file):
http://www.racingpigeonmall.com/loft/articles/re-hydrate.pdf

I will be on an extended visit to Southern California starting next week. I will still be accessible through email and look forward to reading your comments about the newsletter and any suggestions you might have for improving it.

One reader requested I make available a printer friendly version of the newsletter so they can print out a had copy for their own records. When I return from California, I will convert the first two issues of the newsletter and make them available for download and printing.

Currently, we have the following listings:

We have had quite a few birds put up on the auction site this past week, you might want to take a "look see" ath these birds.

We have a new European Import listing: "Antwerp Panthers" ~ Two exceptional racing cocks of the Old Horeman strain. One is a five time winner and the other is a top provincial Ace over two years. These two cocks are accessible through a link on our home page at:

www.racingpigeonmall.com

The auction link is also accessible from the home page.

Got something to say? Here is the place to sound off.

Every issue, we will reserve this space for our members to raise topics for discussion.

e-mail your feedback to: Link removed

John:

Thanks for taking the time. I enjoyed reading the articles.

Bob Lynch

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I received your newsletter it was very nice!! You know, I would like to write some articles for the newsletter but you must read it first and take all my mistakes out the article :) How many times the newsletter come out? (once/month)

Your friend in sport,
Geert Buelens (Belgium)

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John,

Great newsletter! Very interesting articles.
I hope it continues and I look forward to reading the next one.

John Berokoff, Lone Wolf Loft, Whittier, Calif.

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Excellent newsletter... actual good content!!!

Top notch article by Mr. Cornella regarding "big money" and "feather peddling" moving the small loft flyer into obscurity or another hobby. We see it happening everywhere and yet hesitancy to call it what it is and address it accordingly at all levels in the sport is a real problem.

The Delbar feature brings to light yet another case of old families of pigeons still doing quite well in modern day competition... not a popular topic for those peddling the latest "hot pigeon family" from somewhere or another. After all, we're told the old HVRs, Delbars, Sions, etc. can't race with birds of today... you always need to buy the latest to compete... and buy more next year.

Keep up the much needed effort on behalf of the sport and hobby flyers!

Okiejim aka Jim Brown