Last weeks discussion of the week we asked what you thought the current state of pigeon racing was? alarmingly the general consensus seemed to be that the sport of pigeon racing was dying and the main reason fanciers felt this way seemed to be cost. The Pigeon Insider has fanciers from all over the globe so it was pretty interesing to see some of our friends from other parts of the world say that the sport was growing. Maybe we can learn from each other and get the pigeon racing sport to grow universally all around the world by learning what each one of us are doing.
So in this weeks discussion of the week we would like to know?
What do you think fanciers can do to help the pigeon racing sport grow?
Post your comments on what you think each one of us can do to help promote the sport, also let us know if you have any ideas on how to lower costs etc. If your in an area where the sport is on the rise post your comments and let other fanciers know what has worked in your area.
We will be forwarding all of your comments to pigeon racing organizations around the world, Hopefully; together we can help the sport grow universally around the world.
Yes cost is a big factor ,but if we are lucky and can attract a couple of new faces to the
sport,they are going to find a cancer that is in the sport ,greed bad sportsmanship
stupid decision making and of course the big Hawk problem.I can see no future for the sport
unless a lot of the above mentioned are addressed .The back garden loft ,which is the bread
and butter of the sport is about finished ,and only the BIG BOY and the MONEY MEN will
be left
The greates threat for pigeon racing is the fanciers themself.Bad sportmanship,low or zero infolvment and backstamping.
organize more public forum about the sports, explain especially to young ones the goodness of it, pigeon racing is a game of dicipline you cnnt expect your racer to perform well if you dnt dicipline them and by doing so you are teaching your self too, dicipline if we all have this evrything will be fine.
I THINK IN SOUTH AFRICA OUR RACING PIGEON SPORT STILL GROW.WE MUST INVITE AND HELP YOUNGSTERS AND ADULTS TO VISIT OUR LOFTS.THEY MUST START CORRECT.THEY MUST READ A LOT ABOUT RACING PIGEONS BEFORE THEY START.THEY MUST VISIT CLUB OR FED CHAMPIONS AND LISTEN TO THEM,WRITE ALL THE INFO DOWN.FIRST BUILT THE CORRECT LOFT AND ASK THE CHAMPIONS TO BREED YOUNGSTERS FOR YOU.GET ONE MENTOR TO COACH YOU.
Yes the pigeon sport is growing,but only one sided which mean for the elite and for those country which is booming and not only that even the manufacturer of pigeon product is also growing because of demand and here you will see that majority go through the same channel by the end of the day. but only up to a point after that they fall like debris. why ? the cost of pigeon is expensive especially thru auction and we can’t blame them coz everyone want to make money, 2nd only the elite have the upper hand and leave the average frustrated and hopeless 3rd every fancier from time to time will add a pigeon here and there to keep his or her momentum going 4th the city goverment is now more stricker than before bec. of bird flu and if we don’t keep their momentum going plus frustration they easily fall apart and 5th all fancier I’m sure always hope he may win today or tomorrow if he or she still has the momentum,if not they fall apart, to sum it all together the answer lead to only one the cost of pigeon keeping especially buying pigeon,how can we compete if only the elite has the upper hand in buying good pigeon,I know this sound ridiculous, but its what the majority think. The answer here is we need some good fancier to sell or auction their popular pigeon to each country according to their economy at least its a much level playing field, simply put developing country cannot compete with industrialize country especially thru bidding unless he’s a tycoon and assuming he bought it, he will only add more frustration to his local fancier coz majority think otherwise even we know its not a guarantee always.
Help the new flyers with breeders and ybs and encouragement with positive comments. Negative attitudes and stories about issues that happened years ago help no one.
You can spread the concept of Pigeon Racing,All you want. But first spread the love of just having this bird that can do the impossible, Returning home.Once this ability of the pigeon has been seen, then you should slowly go into the details of the hobby. Too much information about cost, dues, club meetings, trash talking, egos ETC. is a Kill Joy ! That being said Only show the wonderful side of the hobby at first.Keep that as your main focus. Those who take up the hobby will be able to push the negative to the side Just because they have been bitten by the love of having pigeons, The end.
I think overall pigeon racing education of the general public is needed. A lot of people think a pigeon is a pigeon and confuse racers with “city” pigeons and thus think ALL pigeons are pests.
We could help the sport grow by helping and nurturing the few who are interested. Let them have some of your best birds without cost, visit them regularly and give all of your best advice, Instill in them the importance and thrill of breeding for a better family of birds. Liberators should be more patient when making decisions about releasing the birds when the weather could possibly become bad. Lost birds for young flyers is a downer for them. We must give everyone a good shot at winning instead of making them “pay their dues”
The problem that we are having in my area is towns are oulawing the keeping of pigeons. People think of city pigeons whenever you mention them. The public needs to be educated on pigeon racing and what a great sport it is.
Pigeon racing in the USA is on the downward trend. Pigeon racing in other countries may be on the rise.
I do not think money is the big problem. You do not have to race for money. Our club expenses are hauling fees and $20.00 a month dues, not much money to fly birds.
The biggest breakup of our club was conflicting personalalities. People in conflict with rules & each other. All I want to do is fly birds but some people seem to have other ideas. Racing Pigeons should be our main focus and helping others to enjoy the same without conflict. .