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.
My opinion is that the sport of racing pigeons is defianately on the decline. Young people do not show or have the same general interests in pigeons as did the school age children of my era. Young people today have other interests, ie computers and the digital games related to that technology. Children today are not interested in out door activities sports or nature related as they did when I was a kid. Its to bad that times have changed.
Mel Knight
We need to advertise our sport. Get it out to the public. Most people you talk to have never heard of pigeon racing. Our club is advertising on restaurant place mats “Come fly with us” some members go to county fairs or schools and give presentations. I leave my pigeon magazines at doctors offices, barber shops. I to wonder whats it’s going to be like 15 years from now. Will we have a club? Will the one loft and special races take over? Even our own pigeon magazines print articles about what’s happening over seas and very little of what’s going on in the U.S. Accountability to what happens to our sport lies with us. Either we do something positive or watch it go under.
In my part of Canada, the sport appears to be impacted by 2 factors:
First, there is a definite shift towards single loft races due to increases in prize money payouts, less work and expense, and a sense that these races are fairer to all involved–the flight distance is the same for all birds, the feed and health programs are singularly applied, training is equally implemented, etc. Most racing lofts are therefore changing their breeding programs towards more short distance, speed birds than long distance racers.
Secondly, there appears to be significant bickering within Clubs which makes even inviting a possible new member difficult and embarassing. The most complex and highly debated topic is always “flight distance”—this issue has done more to divide clubs and members than anything else. “Winning” has replaced the ideals of “Sport”, love and enjoyment of the bird, respect for it’s natural strengths and abilities.
I’ve been out of it for many years. My middle son and I raised homers for a long time. It was a good hobby for him. It kept him out of trouble during his teens and he stayed in the hobby until he died 8 years ago, at age 37. When his friends were messing with drugs and getting into mischief he would be in our loft taking care of his birds. He made pets out of his birds and had most of them named. I think kids today would also love the hobby if they had access to it and could see some good examples, and visit some lofts. I’m 69 years old and I want to get back into it again. I don’t know anyone in it at present.
yes,may be in USA pigeon racing is dying,but my friends go to a country like egypt for example,still very big thing more than you can immagne.i grow up around it,here in the states you have problems with neighbours calling the city on you or telling you pigeons have disease.
I agree the sport is shrinking cost of fuel feed and the time.And lets face it people want a pay back quickly they want to win right away.If they don’t they move on to somthing eles.I’ve been flying for 20 years and yes I have won a few but not many I just like to fly the birds.I have found that mixing your own feed helps cut down the cost and lets face it most feed makers don’t fly pigeons so how do they know whats good for them? but you should.and as far as sport I myself think if the kids i have chased away from loft.that may have had a intrest.
i race in south africa. i think the sport is dying because certain people seem to think it is their personal game. i have seen some young people trying to come into the sport only to get treated badly. they leave soon after. there is not much mentoring and lets be honest a 18 year old wont like getting hammered in the result sheet every week
I think that l we continue in l evolution of the race of the carrier pigeon, without these races(shopping), this race n would have more reasons d to exist, no???
hi chris ,
In some parts of india people are actively participating in pigeon racing but ,i think that the passion for pigeon racing is diminishing.
now a days people are very much interested in keeping fancy pigeons
i think it is starting to fade away with no younger people cum.n in to the sport, it can be expensive for young lads startn off.i think if the sport had a higher profile like horse racing and made people more aware of the pigeons it might change alot of peoples taughts and opions of them and not compare them to the commons in our towns and streets.if there was more documentaries and maybe the one loft races were shown on tv more often it might get more people interested