UkPigeonRacing

Trev wrote: ↑Sun Sep 01, 2024 9:15 am I can't even be bothered to read this post anymore, after being involved in this sport for most of my 58, years it never ceases to amaze me how so many fanciers believe they have all the answers and that their way is the only way !! Yet so many do things so very differently yet still get the results they desire, of course there are some that just enjoy having the birds and the social aspect of the sport, where winning every now and then is just a bonus. In my experience you need the losers to be able to have winners, and it's often those guys who are at the bottom of sheet each week who are the grafters and the main stay of most organisations, so why can't we just respect each other and accept that we all have our own ways and very different goals !!

I've always said to any new fancier, that you will hear so many different ways of keeping and racing pigeons that it will blow your mind, just listen to as much as you can, set out your own personal goals, find the birds and the method that suits you and your lifestyle and stick to it, the main thing is to enjoy it, if it becomes a chore then you may as well pack it in.

Don’t worry Trev. I’m thick skinned and it’s like water off a ducks back. I have to deal with members of the public everyday of the week with the shop. Most are very friendly but we have drug dealers, druggies, alcoholics that come in that are just downright rude. They think they know everything. You just get used to listening to their crap, keep smiling and taking their money. With a pub directly opposite and one next door it’s does get a bit lively sometimes. The pub next doors pub garden runs up the side of our garden. It does get a bit rowdy at times and I wonder how the poor birds get much rest some nights. A bit better since I moved the loft up to the end of the garden.
Mike just doesn’t seem to like me. I don’t know why. I think it’s just because I wouldn’t do what he thought I should be doing. Since then every time I make a comment he says I’m wrong and I don’t know what I’m talking about. I don’t agree with some of the things he says but I’ve not got anything personally against him and if he helps novices turn their fortunes around good on him.
Someone mentioned his wealth of experience and knowledge.
As you know Trev we have been involved with pigeons with our dad almost from the time we learnt to walk. That’s 60 odd years with pigeons plus 30 years in farming and with many types of livestock. I have won races from 90 miles to 650 miles. Been top prize winner on occasions in different clubs. I was the chief clock setter for Worthing when we had 40+ members from the age of 18. I have been secretary of 2 different clubs. So I think I have a fair bit of knowledge and experience.
Of late because of running our own business and family commitments, made worse this last year due to losing our mum and my wife’s aunt I’m afraid I’ve had more important things to worry about than pigeons. I’ve also completely changed my system last year and my performances aren’t what they could be. But once things settle again I know what I need to do to be competitive but that still won’t be the way that Mike thinks is right. My experience and way of doing things is just different, but has always worked for me.

I think your over thinking things Andy
Just relax a bit Mikes a level above you or me and wants to help
He just likes people to improve he doesn’t understand why people keep homers as that’s not racing . In his area your methods would have you struggling
But if you don’t want the help then just say I’m happy seeing them come home there is no harm in that
We are not all the same but don’t think its personal as he isn’t like that he just has a drive to succeed
My mate is 86 I breed him 6 every year I tell him what to do but he never follows it and is behind but he’s happy in his way so that’s all that matters

NeilA wrote: ↑Sun Sep 01, 2024 10:41 pm I think your over thinking things Andy
Just relax a bit Mikes a level above you or me and wants to help
He just likes people to improve he doesn’t understand why people keep homers as that’s not racing . In his area your methods would have you struggling
But if you don’t want the help then just say I’m happy seeing them come home there is no harm in that
We are not all the same but don’t think its personal as he isn’t like that he just has a drive to succeed
My mate is 86 I breed him 6 every year I tell him what to do but he never follows it and is behind but he’s happy in his way so that’s all that matters

Hi Neil. I’m not going to continue this as my way is different. Mike isn’t a level above me and hasn’t more experience than I have, his way is just different. That’s his problem he thinks he’s better than anyone else. All he’s done is criticise every post I’ve put up. When you’re having to race just 34 miles every week it is frustrating. No I don’t want or need the help. My circumstances are far different and I have more important things than pigeons to worry about at present. You say if I’m happy to see them come home. I can’t even do that most weekends because of having the shop.

Ok Andy
I can’t see it but obviously it’s something you can and i understand that
He may just be blunt and say what he thinks is poor management
I nearly did something the other week he told me no and to wait to Monday so
I did and he was right , he probably thought I was off my rocker for thinking of doing it
But that wasn’t him criticising me and I wouldn’t take it like that just been straight and avoiding me making a stupid error
The only thing I can remember him trying to get you to do is train just 10 miles 3/4 nights and I know you like your ways but it does work every good sprint loft has had this kind of system for ybs in my area they have for years I can only go short I an often letting go after 7pm but it’s never from more than 20 miles normally 17-18
I know you have your shop but I work at 745 - 5 then half hour either way travel
Plus I spend 3 -4 over nights at my mums as she can’t walk is partially blind and has severe kidney failure so I am like her care parson when my sister isn’t about . Sundays I’m there doing all her garden / dinner etc so I don’t have loads of time

He really was top level mate with his family and was in the elite level would love to see you source some fast pigeons and try his method just for 6-7 weeks in ybs next year . I believe the year after your 12 widowhood cocks would match the fanciers in your club through what installed in them
Best of luck with how you want to race though

Neil. I’m not knocking Mike or yourself. All I need is something I won’t be getting until I retire in hopefully a couple of years and that’s time. The shop is open 9 till 5 six days a week. On top of these hours of course many additional hours are spent in the shop when closed, some nights until 10pm. Yes it’s a bonus having the birds in the back garden of the shop but I only really get time to run up the garden twice a day to let the birds out, clean out, feed and water, about an hour a day tops, sometimes much less than that, and that’s it. I have had my own business and been self employed now for 25 years. When I had my own farm I was working 14 to 16 hours a day 7 days a week. So really since 1999 I really haven’t had the time to spend on the birds. Yes results have suffered but my work, wife and family and making provisions to be able to hopefully enjoy my retirement have been my priority.
I’ve never really been interested in young bird racing and didn’t even do any for a few years. But that was my way. I still enjoy going up the club every week and we have a great club. This is our club with all but 3 members last Saturday night.
We have plenty of banter every Friday and Saturday night. We take turns in waiting for the combine transporter which doesn’t get to us until around 11.30 on average. I then have a 45 minute drive to home after loading the lorry.
Hopefully in a couple of years I can get more time and get back to my winning ways that I had in the past.

Andy I understand that I had my business to I sold it in 2020 so totally get what it’s like it’s not normal working hours
I run that for 18 years before that I spent 8 years moving pretty much to a different music entertainment venture weekly and was away 5 days some weeks other times I could be away 10 days or if in London I was home each night .
So I do understand the working hours required

I didn't join the forum to make friends (I've plenty of those). I never joined to fall out with anyone either.

I joined because its pigeons and i'm passionate about pigeons.

You say I don't like you Andy. I find it hard to dislike somebody I don't know; but I will give my opinion on an issue if it pops up

I don't go out of my way to criticise your posts, we just have very different ways of keeping pigeons - simple as that

Everything I do is driven by results and performance nothing else matters to me

I don't care whether you think I'm a good fancier or not. I know I am and I've the results to back it up too

That's not arrogance, that's confidence in my subject matter





I could write scores of results, like on 5 occasions i've sent 1 bird and won the Federation

Post about scores of Club and Federation wins, RPRA Award winners, the hundreds of winners reported through my birds (to 1st National level)

I'm sure none of it makes one iota of difference to you - and that's cool by me because I neither want, need or seek your validation

I've guys like Jimmy Dutton and Gary Gordon (to name but two) who reach out to me asking for advice, opinion, guidance etc on pigeons

To me, these guys are absolutely top of the tree - two of the finest 0-250 miles men in the UK

So no, I don't want or need you to take on board anything that I say





Here's 1 example of the kind of person I am

A few years go a friend contacted me to tell me a friend of his had birds ill

I asked for pictures of droppings and videos

I got them, I then travelled nigh on 2 hours with a £60 unopened tub of medication and I gave it him

I'll help anybody I can

I know my way isn't the only way, and we all have different opinions





Take "King" for instance. He and I regularly lock horns - we have wildly different ideas about what turns us on in a pigeon

That's his perrogative though. I appreciate we're all different

But me, I have opinions and 99/100 I form those opinions based on real life scenarios where I've tried things and been successful (or not as the case might be)

Thanks Mike. Let’s leave it there. As I said hopefully in a couple of years I can retire and have more time to devote to the pigeons and start enjoying it again. Until then I can only do what I can and make the best of my situation. I did always prefer sprint racing and although I have won at 650 miles I have always done better in sprint racing. But having to race most weekends from just 34 miles is a joke. I know I probably have the wrong pigeons for the job at present but until I have the time to put into them and get the best out of them I don’t see the point of changing the team much. It would be a waste of time and money if I can’t do them justice. My biggest enjoyment is the breeding side and trying to improve what I have through selective breeding, it was the same when I was in dairy farming, this I think I can still do with what I have.

How will you breed winners Andy
I’m interested not knocking you at all but winners are the left side of the pedigree
I have no skill at breeding winners if I can’t follow a winning line
How will you go about that

NeilA wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2024 10:01 pm How will you breed winners Andy
I’m interested not knocking you at all but winners are there left side of the pedigree
I have no skill at breeding winners if I can’t follow a winning line
How will you go about that

I’m just off to bed now so will answer you tomorrow. I just didn’t want you to think I’m ignoring your question Neil.