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.
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I’ve been out of the pigeon hobby for a while, for a number of reason, but primairly because of a divorce, and not owning my own property. I’ve retired to home life now, and started looking for contacts with local breeders, or club members again. I have been rather shocked at the prices I’ve seen that many breeders are asking for their birds. (on-line)
It no longer looks like a group hobby, or a fun past time activity that many can share, and enjoy, together. It has turned into a cut throat business, where everyone is is trying to out do everyone else, at any cost, just for the bragging rights, and huge price tag they can put on the few birds they do sell.
Maybe I’m completely wrong – I hope it’s because the average pigeon fancier, like myself, just doesn’t have the means, or desire, to invest the time and energy to put his birds and info on the net. I haven’t found one CLUB web site as of yet???Maybe that’s where the clubs are falling down – not providing club wide exposure to web surfers like myself. It seems that only those individuals with the budget, and the time, get that kind of exposure, while the majority get left behind to flounder! I know there’s got to be many more breeders out there than I’ve found surfing the net!
Well here in Namibia it is also not going as well as it probably should be.In Windhoek which is the capital of Namibia we are only 13 members.In other parts of the country there are only maybe 2 or 3 members in a town.We are struggling to get any sponsors and the guys who are club champ or who wins the only race where there are money to win are the same people because they have the money to spend on expensive breeding material.They are also business owners so they have alot of time to train their pigeons on the road.It is becoming a sport of the rich and not like in the old days where it was a sport for the “poor”.
The ARPU says membership is growing once again by about a hundred members a month after years of decline. If that’s true, (and why wouldn’t I believe them?!) it isn’t dying but it’s certainly not setting any records for growth. “Benny’s” comment might be the most accurate in that club racing may be disappearing but one loft racing is growing. I’ve been told the same by a one loft race manager who also actively flies in a club.
I don’t agree with those who believe costs are the biggest reason many potential flyers stay away. I have worked in the horse industry for the last 15 years, not race horses but show and pleasure horses, and the number of people who are actively involved in events like cutting, reining, team roping, barrel racing and team penning has absolutely skyrocketed in the last 20 years. The costs involved in competing in any of these events make the costs of participating in pigeon racing pale in comparison. I believe city ordinances and most of America and the developed world being three generations removed from the land and livestock are the biggest reasons. Maybe those who are still living rural are all buying horses!
pigeon racing is growing on many countries.
Pigeon racing is growing here in the philippines. Few years back when I was a kid it is very had to find a club or someone who shares the same passion for pigeons But now there are several clubs one can join and good strain of birds to buy. I think it is growing because of the high stakes involved the sad part is that someday this sport in the philippines will be like that in Taiwan where it is used in gambling.
Sad but it’s reality. When I was a kid lofts where everywhere. There were 4 lofts in a 3 block area of my home not including ours. Today when I tell people I race pigeons they look at me waiting for the punch line and then ask 20 questions when they realize I’m serious. Lets face it pigeon racing isn’t cheap. Feed costs are up. Gasoline is at a all time high. Training the birds costs more, a feed store that sells a pigeon racing mix may be miles away; for me 45 miles round trip. A new flyer is looking at $300 and up just for a clock and electronic bands and he/she doesn’t even have a loft or pigeons yet. Another thing that’s hurting pigeon racing are the pigeon flyers. In my area most of the flyers have known each other for years and they either like, dislike, or tolerate the other flyers. There are 4 clubs in the area. Each with 15 lofts or less (most 10 or less). We can’t even get a city wide combine going, because this guy won’t fly if that guys racing and all because of something that happened 15 or 20 years ago. Or I don’t want to fly east and every other argument that you can think of. As someone who just arrived, 11 years ago its hard to understand. You don’t have to like someone to beat the pants off of them in a pigeon race and we can race north or west next year. A lot of flyers have forgotten that pigeon racing win or loose is suppose to be fun.
I feel that Clubs and Combines need to get the word out about the sport. They need to alocate funds to do so. To show up in schools and promote to the young. I know that I am going to bring this topic up at our next club meeting. Birds Up, Mac McSweeney
I dont think its dying i think it needs more publicity. Ive been out for 4 years because of no loft location but just got back . I Got the Pigeon Racing Bug. But I was at a show/auction a few days ago and saw about 7 or 8 young members infact 1 of them won best in show.Kids dont the how fun it is until they do it so we need to in my opinion,Show them its more than scraping perches–Glen
i think any body like myself will never let it dye out racing pigeons are a great hobbie to train chicks to fly home is just the best feeling im not in for the big prize money or to buy a pigeon for hudreds u can get just much enjoyment out of a bird for a few pound its all about waiting for ur bird to fly home or in the breeding season looking to see what colours or markings they have no house should be without a racig pigeon
Well, I think and know for sure that it is dying, and still trying to survive. Because it seem as though, therea’s not that much people into pigeon’s or bird’s these day’s… And yeah I am new into this sport, and like very much! And yes, this sport or hobby does take alot of time and money, but I put 110 percent into it, even though I am handicapped now. Sad but true…