Our old members will know the background of most of the birds I have in my loft but our new members won’t so I will give a bit of information on the birds I have and how my family is developing.
Back in 2018 an old member on the forum suggested having a test loft to fly Barcelona. I had fairly recently returned to the sport after a 10 year break due to my marriage breakup. I came back into the sport aiming at the extreme distance, racing on natural and on open loft which would fit in well with my lack of time due to having my shop to run. I only had a small back garden loft but was willing to turn it into a sort of test loft if members wanted me too. I was already a member of the BICC, BBC, NFC & CSCFC. We only had a few members then on the forum. I suggested that any members wishing to join in on this venture could send me up to 4 youngsters. There was no cost to the members apart from paying to get them to me. The birds were transferred into my name and all expenses for everything else was mine. I gave a trophy and certificate to the breeder of the first bird from the longest race sent too each year. I also said that I would breed and develop these birds into a family. Things were going in the right direction until the new regulations regarding channel racing came into effect. The first year of this all the national and classic clubs raced either Guernsey, down the West Country or North. I was happy to go North as I would still have managed to get over 600 miles from Lerwick. So after having a couple of years racing over the channel as far as the Agen and Pau International I turned them North. I had a training toss North from 18 miles. I took 24 birds. I had no birds back on the day and only 4 the next day. I ended up just getting 8 back. Several of the birds lost had flown Poitiers 343 miles over the channel the previous year. I did race the remaining ones as far as Berwick. I would have been happy to continue racing too the distance North but all the clubs decided to go back South. So last year I joined the Glastonbury club and decided to go back to just club racing. I am now racing short distances races but enjoy my racing again. I am using the same birds bred down from the members birds and will continue doing so.
So after all that here is a bit of info on the birds I currently have in the loft. Still only a small garden loft.
After last weeks race I have 8 widowhood cocks.
GB20B08432 B.CH . He was bred from GB19B05855 bred by Dev & Chris. This cock was 1st club, 26th section, 158th open BICC Poitiers 343mls as a yearling X GB19B05882 bred by Phil. She was1st club, 27th section, 88th open CSCFC Guernsey YB 109 miles & 5th club, 176th section, 216th open BICC Falaise 178 miles as a yearling.
GB21B04334 B.CH . Half brother to 32 above. He was bred from GB19B05855 bred by Dev & Chris. X GB19B05852 bred by Pete Davenport. She flew Guernsey 109 miles as YB, 2nd club, 91st section, 102nd open BICC Falaise 178 miles, 4th club, 88th section, 738th open BICC Poitiers 343 miles as a yearling.
GB21B04356 B.CH . (Muzzaboy) sire GB20B08410 bred by John & Ben. X GB20B08401 bred by Pete Davenport. 34th section, 121st open CSCFC Berwick 325 miles & 39th section, 142nd open BBC Berwick as a yearling. She was killed by a hawk in the garden.
GB21B04339 R.Grizzle . Sire GB20B08446 G.Sire IHU18S08513 bred by John cominskey (Magic) 78th section 795th open BICC Le Mans 240 miles & 209th section, 318th open BICC Falaise 178 miles. G.Dam GB17V54346 bred by George. She was 2nd club, 30th section, 461st open BICC Le Mans 240 miles. 81st section, 442nd open Messac 225 miles. Dam. GB20B08447 G.Sire GB19B05849 bred by John & Ben. 3rd club, 87th section, 731st open BICC Poitiers 343 miles as a yearling. G.Dam GB19B05852 bred by Pete Davenport. Dam of 34 above.
GB22B11724 Blue . Sire GB17S09014 from Worm. Dam BELG142334770 from Ben & John
GB22B11738 Blue . Sire GB18Z06200 bred by Pete Davenport. Dam WHU14D06359 bred by Rich Gould.
GB22C76342 Blue pd. Bred by Buster
GB23S74225 Blue CH. Bred by Buster.
Not brilliant I know but I am going to continue the way I am looking to build a team around these pigeons.
The hens I have are along the same lines as the cocks.
For Devo and other interested members.
That’s the one Steve. I have a late bred cock from last year that is coming on well. Had 3 races this year still carrying 5 nest flights.
GB23A97285 Blue . Sire GB22B11727. G.sire BELG142334774 x G.Dam GB16R33371. Dam GB16R33371 this hen was also from you Steve. I did have her broken out but she was taken by the hawk after flying out for over a year.
Back just enjoying club racing for the time being.
Lovely looking bird and a good pedigree too.Andy wrote: ↑Thu Jun 13, 2024 9:18 pmThat’s the one Steve. I have a late bred cock from last year that is coming on well. Had 3 races this year still carrying 5 nest flights.
GB23A97285 Blue . Sire GB22B11727. G.sire BELG142334774 x G.Dam GB16R33371. Dam GB16R33371 this hen was also from you Steve. I did have her broken out but she was taken by the hawk after flying out for over a year.
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GB21B04356 B.CH . (Muzzaboy) sire GB20B08410 bred by John & Ben. X GB20B08401 bred by Pete Davenport. 34th section, 121st open CSCFC Berwick 325 miles & 39th section, 142nd open BBC Berwick as a yearling. She was killed by a hawk in the garden.
Muzzaboy is out of Muzzabelle, which was put in the Barcelona team by Pete Davenport for me. Several of the members were generous enough to send youngsters to Andy to race in my name, me being half way round the world,
Muzzabelle was a little cracker, and I have a prize certificate which Andy sent me. It is very special to me and is neatly packed away so it is not damaged while we shift.
It was gutting that she was taken by a hawk.
Muzzaboy is out of Muzzabelle, which was put in the Barcelona team by Pete Davenport for me. Several of the members were generous enough to send youngsters to Andy to race in my name, me being half way round the world,
Muzzabelle was a little cracker, and I have a prize certificate which Andy sent me. It is very special to me and is neatly packed away so it is not damaged while we shift.
It was gutting that she was taken by a hawk.
Greetings from the land down under.
Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for verily, he shall not be disappointed.
Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for verily, he shall not be disappointed.