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.
We have 4 clubs within 60 miles of each other. This year I presented a deal with one club to fly yb’s with us and it went great. I feel like OB’s will be the same. Only if people would fly for the enjoyment instead of self greedyness, our sport would prosper. If all would get on the same sheet of music, we could force prices down on feed, meds, and tools of the sport. We are a great family, but, we have too much fighting between us. Simple stuff, thats’ killing the sport and clubs!
I’ve been involved with pigeons since 1949. In the span of time from then to now I’ve seen many changes in the sport. Cost is but one of the factors that can be attributed to the decline of fanciers. When I began, all my childhood friends had pigeons, and or a dog or chickens or some type of household animal, which they cared for. That isn’t the case today. As new communities spring up, more and more restrictions and coventents are put in place to restrict or prohibit the keeping of pigeons. In addition there are a great many other activites for kids, with soccor, little league, etc.
As for cost, I’m always amused at those who complain about the cost, especially as it relates to purchasing birds. No one is putting a gun to your head and forcing you to buy expensive birds. Breeding your own, eliminating those that don’t measure up, one will make progress in improving thier breeding loft.
Nearly every outstanding flyer when asked what they’d do to improve their birds say’s find the local guy who is consistantly on top, and buy late hatches or young birds. He’s proven his birds will fly your course.
Specificlaly what can each of us do to improve the sport is quite simple. Get involved.
Volunteer for club combine office, be involved with your club, and encourage others to participate. What hurts this sport is the attitude of what’s good for me, and to hell with everybody else.
Pigeon fanciers need to mentor deserving new flyers. I’m not suggesting everything be done for them with little or no effort on the new flyer’s part but for those that appear enthusiastic and motivated mentoring is critical so that the new flyer can enjoy some success to encourage their commitment and participation in the sport. Mentoring can be provided by advising improvements in loft management, sharing quality stock or help in training to name a few ways.
the control the prices of top class birds. so that everyone could buy them
One problem that fanciers in the Philippines are facing is inferior quality of birds. For international fanciers from Europe, USA, Australia, Taiwan and China, to help grow the Pigeon Racing sport, should export their good birds to countries like the Philippines.
Many are advertising but they dont ship the birds to other countries.
Making good birds readily available will surely increase interest of many fanciers in countries like the Philippines invest in the sport of Pigeon racing.
I have to say the the sport of racing pigeons is in a dying mode. When I was a kid,we had breakfast and mom did’nt see us until lunch. Now, and I speak from experience,kids have their faces planted on a computer moniter or cell phones constantly texting. I have three grandchildren. They don’t put anytime looking outside to see whats going on. This is called progress. I flew homers in the sixties and we had twenty members flying,some clubs more. Now the number is around ten and thats not every club,some only have three. The youngest guy is around forty in our club. Everyone else is sixty five or older. I will say that racing is much more prevelant on the east coast(NY,NJ.PA,MD,MA & FLA). These are the only areas I’m familiar with. I live in Ohio
Thanks technology
Start with the beginners. Help them and be honest with them. Monitor them on a regular basis to see how they coping.
I have found a lot of the experienced fanciers just want member numbers. We’ve got to look after all the fanciers/members.
In the end, no fancier should have to feel treatened by its fellow members. If you are a true champoin you will still win.
Lets stick together and enjoy our sport!
The biggest problem I see in helping out the beginners is that they are few and far apart. That’s a shame. I have living around me,easily ten or more kids. I offered them some for free (young unbanjded homers) and heard no all the way around. Differant world today then it was twenty_thirty years ago.
What can make this sport grow is, exhibitions , public positive awareness, heres an example , How about a combine race : Fly for a cure and donate all proceeds to a childrens hospital or for breast cancer. publisize it make it known! Lets see how many top flyers ,will race when there is no money in it for them. Give the winner a trophy or a plaque and donate the money to those who really need it. How about 4h clubs? How about schools? How do these birds find their way home?
I believe the sport of pigeon racing is dying. Too much cutthroat flying. IN the past it was a gathering of friends at a club all tring to help the next guy, Now, its become a dog eat dog sport. Its all about the money. Who is talking about who. We all know that we Breed athletes, thats why care is taken in the families we breed and what they can and cannot do. New flyers are hard to come by, and few people will bother to help them. However others will offer bad advice just to watch them fail.
We forget that we were all in their shoes once. The key is to love your birds, take proper care of your birds,do not rely on gossip and here say, and then the sport can be rewarding.
I agree with the people who say that there needs to some kind of “promoting”, “mentoring”, and “handicapping” system. What they are saying, essentially, is that there needs to be a separate system (including races) to accommodate the young or new fanciers. For example, if the national organization says that every club that has a separate system for age 20 and younger and/or for those new to the sport with less than 5 years experience (where membership is free at the club level and national level; including the cost of bands, old used clocks, etc.) and that this will be supported by the national organization through additional club grants and discounts, then you are on your way to building for the future. I mentioned to my German fancier friend that all of the members of our club are a bunch of old men….retired who have nothing else to do. This might be a stereotype, but stereotypes are often based on some kind of truth. Food for thought.