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.
Myself, I don’t think the sport of pigeon racing is dieing, like everything else out there, it runs it’s course, slows down then picks back up again, look at the yo yo, skate board, even the small hobby farmers are coming back into the scene.
It is up to us, the fanciers to make sure the public is aware of our sport.
I also agree that the cost of pigeons and derby’s have gotten out of hand price wise, when ever there is someone new starting out, most of our club members will pick a top pair from either the stock loft or race team, to give to the person to start out.
As long as we do our part in promoting our sport, there will always be new people interested in becoming part of it.
Pigeon racing hobby is increase day by day in Pakistan.In Bahawal Pur State, Punjab, Pakistan. This State is full of pigeon flying hobby. Here Slow flying pigeon as compare to racing pigeons but colourfull pigeons. In this game one person flying near about 100s pigeons and other also flying 100s of colourfull pigeons. they flying their own home and during flying combine with other flying pigeonms and then seprat on call of the owner
I agree with Uncle, it is all about money. The average person interested in pigeons can not afford to be involved.
It is not only this sport/hobby, it is any sport/hobby. The wealthy have taken over. A person interested in any sport will not be accepted if he/she can’t appear to be wealthy.
To be honest, this goes a lot further than sports/hobbies. If you are not wealthy and healthy, try to be a part of anything, school, town meetings, community, even a church [especially a church].
No show of wealth = no acceptance.
Mule
I think that is dying.The cost of the food is increasing,but in realty I like the pigeons.I know of some peoples that are leaving this sport for this reasons.
I think the pigeon racing sport is dying and in those areas of the United States where the sport is growing it’s only a small percent compared to pigeon racing as a whole. I just finished a study of talking to many fanciers around the country and found out that the general census that the sport is a great one but the prices are driving the little man out of competition.
How can the little man compete against fanciers who can buy birds for $5000 or more per bird, even though there is no guarantee that that bird will produce a champion but obviously these people have the money to invest in that, and the person who has to work day-in day-out to take care of his family and bills can only afford mediocre birds at best and in some cases if he’s lucky a champion fancier will send him a pair of champion birds.
In conclusion, I believe this sport can be great in many ways but I think the whole pigeon society must come together and support the effort, because for a young person to get involved in our sport they should not have to break through a brick wall to be competitive and I don’t mean just winning one or two club races. To get these young people interested they must feel that they can excel in all levels of the sport. If Derek Jeter only thought he could be a water boy he would have never had the passion to strive to be the champion that he is today.
I also believe that the AU and IF should do more national and prime time advertising for our sport then what they are doing now.
yes the au needs to do more and the clubs to on adds
Dom I like your ideas/comments. Please contact me [email protected]
Hey I just want to thank all who have posted comments so far they are great! We really enjoyed reading all of them.
and Yes Johan we will get working on some supplement information for you.
Pigeon racing just like all sports is getting very expensive. I recently had to quit work for health reasons, now getting social security. So money is tight.I cannot afford to pay $300.00 and up for the winning blood lines, then pay for feed medications and race entry fees. I have had pigeons since I was 10 years old but never had the funds for racing. Then I got married had kids. The pigeon came and went. After I retired I was give several good racers for breeding, now the only race I have is to see if I can beat them home!!
Kids now days have their video games, cell phones and hanging out at the mall with their friends. I can’t visit with my grandkids unless I take away the video games. Sad state of affairs the video game business has created!!
I enjoy reading the material, it really helps a lot. In South Africa the sport is strong, but there is room for improvement. Just a thought: would it be possible to pulish information regarding vitamin supplements before and during races for both short and long distance racing? We really have a lack of information here in South Africa regarding supplements. Thanks!
i love this sports…in our country its growing……
I think there are actually more pigeon flyers in our area now, compared to when I was a kid. (actual club membes) Still I see how hard it is for many to get started in the sport. It seems that many members don’t have an understanding or just don’t care about the expenses.
I have found that it is not necessay to road train to the extent that most flyer do.
Twenty five miles is far enough, but in every direction. Many single and double tosses. We’re educating the birds not training them. They need confidence in themselves. We need to help them develop their natural abilities.
I don’t buy commerical pigeon feed. I feed whole roasted soy beans. About $11 to $15 per 50 pounds. I buy stove corn. Its clean and dry and runs about $6 for 50 pounds. Barley and milow about $9 to $10 at 50 pounds. I mix according to the specific need of the birds.
A very nice hobby but too challinging due to excessive money needed for this sport. It is difficult for a novice or beginner to start this sport. I think too that the racing pigeon sport is dying, especially for the working-man class. Only the richest people in the sport can manage.