Submitted by Greg McKnight
gregmcknight92804@msn.com

Many of the below reminders are based upon racing starting in early September so please adjust your schedule accordingly!

Modified light system is used!  Reminder if not already please vaccinate for PMV & Pox.

With this being one of the hottest months I would pull flights and shut them down.   Remember when pulling flights you don’t have to pre cut before pulling.   Crate them up get them excited and hot then pull the flights straight out not on an angle that could cause damage to the follicle.  Temperature of a normal pigeon is 108 degrees, so by crating them on a hot day this helps the blood move quicker and easier to pull flights.  Usually pull the last flights 9^th & 10^th.  After this return them to the loft and let them get accustom to flying up to the perch with only 8 flights.  Optional tail feathers can be pulled.  I do this by pulling ever other one (Alternate) and then when 3/4^ths of the new flights are grown out I pull the other 6 tail feathers. You now will shut them down for a month to grow in the new feathers. 

Lights would be used if you have them to extend the day light again helping the new flights.  I would recommend at the end of the day so the birds wake up to natural sun light, this doesn’t play with there minds too much.  I would set a timer to go off at 11:00 pm “You can play with nature to much and it will give you a reverse action.”

A loft with attached aviary would be best but an enclosed landing board will work.   Some build a PVC pipe type temporary aviary with a flexible plastic net over the top and attach to the front of the loft.   This gives them the sun light and exercise area to help expedite the molt with lots of fresh air.  Remove temporary aviary before releasing them again.

During this time baths at least once a week is a must with a feather type cleanser is best.

Feed them well, but don’t over feed during this time.  Before turning out the birds again, the need to get some of the fat off of them is crucial.  Need enough speed to get a way from the predators.  Barley is a good tool at this time!  

To help with the molt use Herbots Methio Forte or Med Pet pre-molt at least every other day.  I would add Brewers yeast to the feed along with a wheat germ or your favorite oil.  Many on the market are good.  Small seeds such as Candy Treat from Jedds are a great source of vitamins with oily seeds.  Proteins are beneficial to the molt so peas are a good source for this.  Breeder Protein Pack from Jedds is very good at about a 1/3 mixture to your regular mix.   Another item used is Vita Mineral.   I use on the feed dry.   Only certain brands are a fine enough powder to attach without oil, such as Van Hee and Jedds vita mineral brands.  The others are best to give with oil or lemon juice attached.   Remember feed with oil shouldn’t be so much to have the feed clump together, it should be just enough to apply the mineral to cover the seed and the seeds to separate.  I’ve tried a Gem product named The Pax on the feed also with good results during this time.  Amino acids are highly recommended at this time also speeds up the molt.   Herbots has an Amino and another is A-Lyte American made also used at this time.   Remember at least once a week a general vitamin is given on feed or water.  Change the grit at least every other day.  Smaller receptacles and change often is recommended.  A rule to remember is “Bring the outside in.”  Minerals, grits, pick stone, vegetables, carrot corn, mineral salts and such.   Five Star grit from Jedds or the Vita King Container bucket is also very good.  I mix with the feed.

Now this was my given every year in July and August was to give them a treatment for Malaria (Haemoproteus) and I would do this religiously these months at 10 days each time with about a three week interval in between, using in the old days Atabrine and currently Med Pet Primaquin product.  Mosquitoes and Pigeon flies carry this blood issue and I’ve found that with treating always enhances my birds.  After each treatment I would use Red Cell or another blood packing product for a few days.

Now this is the time to go on vacation and spend some important time with the family.   This may be the only real long period you’ve got to do this.  You can have someone take care of the birds with a guide line given, since they don’t have to exercise the birds.  Enjoy yourself and forget about the birds.  Focus on family, because after this time period you must remain focused on the birds on an everyday basis.   Nights and one day on the weekend usually is all you have for the family up until racing is complete.   It is a very demanding hobby to perform at a high level without focus.  Partnerships are highly valued.

Yours in the sport,

Greg McKnight

Rusty Williams
November 16,2014
Time: 11:00am
Location: FVC Clubhouse
9008 N. Laurel Canyon Bl., Sun Valley 91352

After more than 50 years of racing pigeons, I’ve decided to retire from active flying and pursue a new business venture. All breeders will be sold. I have won more than my share of races in the San Fernando Valley and have bred many winners flown by others and in One Loft Races. I spared no expense to obtain some of the best stock available. Most of the birds in the auction are foundation type breeders. I have bred the FVC Snowbird winners 2 years in a row in 2008 and 2009, the sire will be in the auction. The father of the Snowbird winners won California State Hall of Fame. His sire will also be in the auction. The sire of 2 FVC Futurity winners and 2^nd in the AU race here in California will also be in the auction (there were 2 birds on the drop and the other hit the antenna first). All of these birds are related to my National Ace hen. Parents to One Loft winners, Fast Eddies Late Hatch Classic, California Classic, etc. will be in the auction. The only day bird at a young bird 350 mile race will also be auctioned off. I will have some super breeders down from my National Ace hen, some of the best “Rocket” blood available and the best in Hofkens. I have pretty much eliminated the guess work.  

For an auction list, If you have a computer, you can download it at: rustywilliamsretirementauction.comxa.com 

If you don’t have one you can call me at 818-364-9173 or 818-269-5555. Phone bids will be accepted. My good friend, Paul Watson will be handling the phones so you can either contact me with your maximum bid or call Paul at 530-368-2655 and give him a good number how to contact you 3 to 4 birds before the bird or birds you are interested in so he can bid for you while you’re on the phone. If you are not going to actually be at the auction and you are the successful bidder then you will need to add $50 to your final bid to cover the cost of shipping

Rusty Williams

Retirement Sellout Auction

1. AU 10 GFL 1045 Blue Bar Cock. Loaded with the best of Mike Ganus. “Mona Lisa” on both sides as well as “Da Vinci”, “Hercules” and “Rocket”. I paid a good price for him. This was my 1^st year to breed from him and I feel his young will be solid.
2. IF 11 CCC 269 Blue Bar Hen. Hofkens. Sire was a multiple winner short and long. Both parents go back to Mike Ganus original imports. Hofkens make terrific crosses. Don’t let this one pass you by.
3. AU 11 FVC 828 Blue Bar Wfl Hen. Her sire is none other than “Mr. Onederful” (Calif. State Hall of Fame and terrific breeder). Her mother is inbred “Rocket” and has been a top breeder from day one. #828 produced  AU 13 FVCF 561 who flew super for me placing 14th @ 125, 7th @ 150, 2nd @ 250 and 9th @ 200 miles.
4. Plastic # 16. Blue Bar Cock. 2012 Hatch. Kicked his band as a baby in the nest. Kept for stock as he carries some of the best blood of Ganus Family Loft. Stars such as “Aviator”, “Buttercup”, “Da Vinci”, “Mona Lisa”, “Creator”, “Diamond Eyes” and the super breeder “Rocket”.
5. AU 13 Bourgoin 186 Dark Check Hen. Parents from the loft of Alfons Klaas in Germany. He has bred TWO winners of the South African Million Dollar Race. This hen is inbred to his famous “Mr. Bolt”. Top breeding prospect.
6. AU 11 CBS 1250 Blue Check Hen. Just check her pedigree. Among others she goes back to “Keizer”, maybe the best breeder ever imported by Rick Mardis. Also has “Jade” in her pedigree, the foundation hen for CBS.
7. NA 10 IPBB 12219 Blue Check Cock. Bred by Bill Hatcher from a ½ brother to his foundation hen, “Madonna” when mated to “Madonna” who is down from “Rocket”. Bred from him for the first time this year.
8. AU 12 IPBB 2017 Blue Bar Hen. Bred by Bill Hatcher. She is out of some of Hatchers best. She is ½ sister to 2007 World of Wings Truck race winner. Performance pedigree with “De Baron” and “Rocket” behind her.
9. AU 12 McLoft 4463 Blue Check Hen. Engels. This hen was hand picked for me by Frank McGlaughlin to be mated to AU 12 McLoft 4494 also included in the auction. Frank all but guaranteed these two might make my next foundation pairing. She is related to the South section winner of the AU Convention race.
10. AU 12 McLoft 4494 Blue Bar Cock. Hand picked for me by Frank McGlaughlin from his Fabry line. He doesn’t sell many of these as he would rather fly them himself. Just look at his pedigree. This family flies very good short to long. Many winners behind him.
11. AU 12 CBS 1676 Dark Check Cock. Inbred to CBS foundation hen, “Jade”. In this cock you will see the best of Rick Mardis top breeders. “Jade” bred AU Hall of Fame winner and 1^st average speed 2007 FVC Snowbird Classic.
12. AU 06 Galaxy 108 Blue Bar Hen. “Pandora”. Bred by Bill Hatcher. This great hen handles a little thick but she throws beautiful youngsters. She is inbred to Alex Bieches “De Baron”. Lots of winners behind this hen.
13. AU 12 ARPU 47577 Blue Bar Hen. Inbred to “Brusko” who is a foundation cock for Richard Banzon of RMC Loft fame. “Brusko” comes down from the famous “Kannibaal”. The mother of this hen is “Utahs Princess”, overall champion in Brad Hogans Plymouth Peak Classic.
14. AU 12 Weyer 71 Blue Bar Splash Cock. Inbred “Rocket”. Sire is out of “Rocket” and the nest sister to “Creator”. The dam is out of “Rocket” when mated to “Golden Breeder”. Bred diploma winners his first year in stock.
15. AU 08 A 28397 Dark Check Cock. Bred by Ed Minville. He is a Schellens and his sire is Ed’s foundation Schellens cock “Darth Vader”, the sire and grand sire to many top birds. He is a combination of Minvilles best Schellens. I bred him for the first time this year.
16. AU 08 TDI 8234 Blue Bar Hen. Hofkens. Bred by my good friend Frank Hittle. She has bred 3 money winners in one loft races. She has “Hofkens Best” three times in her pedigree along with the famous “Vegas Pair” from Quest Syndicate Lofts.
17. AU 13 Bieche 13545 Blue Check Hen. Just look at the pedigree and you will see some of the best from Alex Bieche. Linebred to “De Baron” on the top side and the best of imported Schellens on the bottom side. Ace pigeons are everywhere.
18. AU 11 Pinoy 775 Blue Check Cock. This one will fool you. He is a little on the ugly side but produces super nice youngsters. He is linebred to “Rocket” with a bit of Alex Bieches “De Baron” in the mix. Bred by Bill Hatcher.
19. AU 09 Bieche 9319 Blue Bar Wfl Cock. Direct son of “Asduif” winner of Ace pigeon 3 years in a row including 6 times first club and 4 1^st combine vs 1100 plus birds. Looks and handles like his father. The mother is a full sister to the 2004 Ace Pigeon all America. Some of Bieches best.
20. AU 13 Nanez 1420 Blue Bar Hen. Alfons Klaas. Her sire bred 1^st Ace pigeon World of Wings Triple Crown and is himself from a family of winners. The mother was bred by Kenny Easley and has bred 4^th average speed World Ace Challenge, 5^th overall Mercedes Classic plus many others.
21. AU 08 Lynch 8843 Blue Bar Hen. Hofkens. Top dollar hen. Her sire sold for $4200 and her mother sold for $3700. She is inbred to “Hofkens Best” and I had to do some real wheeling and dealing to get her.
22. AU 08 DEV 7501 Black Cock. He won 6^th in the 2008 FVC Snowbird race. He is a full brother to my California State Hall of Fame winner. His sire is out of “Ronker” and my National Ace Hen and his mother is inbred to “Witoger 720” from Protégé Loft.
23. AU 13 FVC 2362 Blue Bar Cock. Placed 6^th at 300 miles, would have won if not for a Coopers Hawk circling the loft. His sire is “Mr. Onederful”, my state hall of fame winner and sire to back to back FVC Snowbird winners, he is down from my National Ace Hen. His dam is a direct daughter of my National Ace Hen. Nothing but upside.
24. AU 10 OXF 24413 Blue Bar Wfl Hen. Inbred “Rocket” from a brother/sister mating. The “Rocket” family has won hundreds of races around the globe. She has bred money winners as well.
25. AU 13 FVC 5099 Black Wfl Hen. Inbred to my National Ace Hen. She is from a brother/sister mating that are both direct children of my National Ace Hen. This was her first year in stock.
26. AU 13 ARPU 55827 Blue Bar Cock. Bred by Richard Banzon (RMC Loft). If you are a student of pigeon racing then you will know that the sellout of Leo Heremans set a world record with many birds going for incredible prices. This young cock is inbred to “Den Euro”, one of Leo Heremans very best. This blood is the current backbone of RMC Loft. Full brother AU 13 RMCLOFT 88002 is also on this list.
27. AU 08 Galaxy 896 Blue Check Cock. Bred by Bill Hatcher. He bred two top combine placings for Nesler Boys in the Bay Cities Combine and also bred a money winner in the Mercedes Classic for Timberline Loft. Has “Rocket”, The Baron” and some top Calia blood on his pedigree.
28. AU 10 FVC 3611 Blue Bar Wfl Hen.  Her sire is a direct son of my National Ace hen when mated back to her own son. He has bred 2^nd in the AU convention race and 2 FVC Futurity winners. Her mother is a direct daughter of “Witoger 720” and has bred more good ones then you can count on both hands and feet. She is also the mother of “Mr. Onederful”, my state Hall of Fame winner.
29. AU 13 FVC 5100 Black Hen. Inbred to my National Ace Hen. She is from a brother/sister mating that are both direct children of my National Ace Hen. This was her first year in stock.
30. AU 13 AFL 137 Blue Bar Cock. Inbred to Mike Ganus number one breeding hen, “Mona Lisa”. The pedigree is loaded with her as well as having “Da Vinci”, “Creator” and “Rocket”. Can’t get much better than this. All his young except one have been sent to one loft races this year.
31. AU 09 FVC 3269 Blue Bar Cock. Great young breeder. He has bred one loft race money winners. His sire won California State Hall of Fame and is down from my National Ace Hen ( he bred back to back FVC Snowbird winners). His mother is a direct daughter of my National Ace Hen.
32. AU 12 AA 46043 Blue Bar Hen. Klaas based. Her sire has bred 13 young so far and all 13 of his youngsters have been in the top 10 of their specials. On the dams side, she is out of “Constans” who is responsible for 84 top 10 positions in one loft races. You can’t find more winning blood than this.
33. AU 13 FVC 2370 Blue Bar Hen. Linebred “Rocket”. She was an entry in the Empire Classic in Canada and was in the running for average speed. On the last race they had a real bad smash, no birds on the day and only 2 birds homed on the 2^nd day 2 out of 530+. She trapped into a loft almost 600 miles the opposite direction from release and became only one of 4 birds reported from the race. Her sire is a direct son of “Rocket” and has bred many winners including top finishers in the South African Million dollar race. Her dam is an inbred “Rocket”.
34. AU 09 FVC 3270 Blue Check Cock. Has bred some of my best over the past few years. He is a full brother to 09 FVC 3269 and 13 FVC 2362 who are also in the auction. He is inbred to my National Ace Hen.
35. AU 13 RMCLOFT 88002 Blue Bar Cock. Bred by Richard Banzon (RMC Loft). If you are a student of pigeon racing then you will know that the sellout of Leo Heremans set a world record with many birds going for incredible prices. This young cock is inbred to “Den Euro”, one of Leo Heremans very best. This blood is the current backbone of RMC Loft. Full brother AU 13 ARPU 55827 is also on this list.
36. AU 12 GA 4524 Blue Bar Hen. Linebred to “Rocket” on both sides of her pedigree. She also has Ganus Lofts “Creator” on both sides, “Golden Racer” on both sides and “Mona Lisa”. This was her first year in my stock loft.
37. AU 13 FVC 5097 Blue Bar Hen. Inbred “Rocket”. Her sire was a direct son of “Rocket” from Mike Ganus. Her mother is an inbred “Rocket” from Bob Duhra in Canada. She is also the mother of “Speed King”, winner of the California Classic and 1^ST average speed.
38. AU 05 Bieche 5500 Dark Check Cock. This represents the best of Alex Bieche. His sire is “De Baron” who is responsible for over 200 1^st’s and 23 American Ace pigeons. His dam is out of his famous “Bold Rular” when mated back to his daughter. This cock is a proven breeder and was purchased at a high price.
39. AU 13 ARPU 64502 Blue Bar Cock. Loaded with some of Ganus lofts best blood. He goes back to “Phantom”, “Code Blue”, “Mona Lisa” and “Rocket”. Also has the best of Carey Tilson in him. Potential foundation cock.
40. AU 14 FVC 1701 Blue Bar Hen. “De Baron” appears 3 times in her pedigree along with “Bold Ruler” from Alex Bieche. She was bred for stock. Expected big things from her in 2015. Her sister AU 14 FVC 1703 is also in the auction.
41. AU 14 FVC 1703 Blue Bar Hen. “De Baron” appears 3 times in her pedigree along with “Bold Ruler” from Alex Bieche. She was bred for stock. Expected big things from her in 2015. Her sister AU 14 FVC 1701 is also in the auction.
42. AU 13 Hapyco 12767 Blue Bar Cock. Janssen. Heavily linebred to “De 613”. Chic Brooks paid a lot of money for the DeKlaks and this guy is down from the K-5 pair. “De 613” appears 6 times if you did an 8 generation pedigree. Super nice young cock.
43. AU 08 Galaxy 897 Red Check Cock. Bred by Bill Hatcher. His sire “Mr. San Diego” single handedly won equal first breeders cup award in the San Diego Classic and lots of $ in 2005. His dam is “Caliana”, the winner of the 2007 San Diego Triple Crown winning over $27,000. # 897 bred my best YB in 2013.
44. AU 13 FVC 5096 Blue Bar Hen. Linebred “Rocket”. Her sire is “Rocket” blood from Mike Ganus and is responsible for a multiple winner for Peter Larpthaveesarp in South Bay. The mother is a super producer bred by Bob Duhra and she bred 2^nd AU convention race and 2 FVC Futurity winners.
45. AU 12 GA 4539 Blue Bar Hen. You will find “Rocket” 3 times in the pedigree, “Creator” twice and “Mona Lisa”. I just got her this year to add to my collection of “Rocket” birds. The “Rockets” have been nothing short of terrific for me.
46. AU 13 FVC 5098 Blue Bar Cock. His sire is a direct son of “Rocket” and his dam is inbred “Rocket”. Bred for stock and I believe he will be outstanding for many years to come. Handles great.
47. CU 10 Duhra 766 Blue Bar Cock. Inbred “Rocket”. He bred 2 very nice youngsters that flew very well in the 2012 One Loft Snowbird Classic. I have turned down a nice offer in the past for him.
48. AU 06 FEH 584 Blue Check Cock. Full brother to my foundation cock 06 Angel 240. So he is a direct son of my National Ace Hen. He has bred in 4 different one loft races. His top side is Hofkens and his sire is “Ronker”, perhaps the all time best producing son of “Hofkens Best”.
49. AU 13 ARPU 1146 Blue Bar Hen. Inbred “Rocket”. She also carries “Creator”, “Da Vinci” and “Mona Lisa”. This was her first year in stock. I believe destined to become a very good breeder.
50. AU 07 HRP 1335 Blue Bar Hen. Super flier and breeder. She placed 1^st @ 200 and 8^th @ 300 in a one loft race. She is linebred to “Hofkens Best” with a touch of “Golden Mattens”. She is the dam to several winners and one loft money winners.
51. AU 11 I 9015 Blue Bar Cock. This cock is straight Hofkens. Inbred to “Hofkens Best”. He has already proven to be a top caliber pigeon having produced several winners for other fliers. He puts the muscle in his offspring.
52. AU 09 FRC 1758 Blue Bar Cock. Hofkens. Direct son of “Ronker”, the best breeding son of “Hofkens Best” and inbred to “Hofkens Best”. I have found that the Hofkens make great crosses and this one is no exception. He has bred multiple one loft money winners and many diplomas.
53. AU 10 FVC 6365 Blue Bar Cock. This cock won the $50 band race in the FVC and was the only day bird south of Santa Barbara at 350 miles as a young bird. He is top Hofkens blood on the sires side and out of one of my best breeding “Rocket” hens. ½ brother to 2^nd AU Convention race.
54. AU 12 FVC 1975 Blue Bar Tic Hen. Inbred “Rocket”. Her sire was a direct son of “Rocket” and has bred many winners including top finishers in the South African Million dollar race. Her dam is a super producing inbred “Rocket” hen bred by Bob Duhra of Canada. She bred the only day bird @350 in 2010 YB. Also bred 2 FVC futurity winners and 2^nd in the AU convention race.
55. AU 06 FEH 504 Black Hen. Direct daughter of my National Ace Hen when mated to “Ronker”, the best producing son of “Hofkens Best”. #504 is the grandmother to “Speed King” who was 1^st drop California Classic and the average speed winner.
56. CU 10 Duhra 667 Blue Bar Cock. Inbred to “Rocket”. He was hand selected from Bob Duhras loft by Alex Bieche and his offspring have already returned much more than his purchase price in one loft races. Outstanding “Rocket” cock.
57. AU 12 FVC 1916 Blue Bar Cock. “Speed King”. He won 1^st drop California Classic as well as 1^st average speed by over 5 minutes vs 545 birds. His sire has my National Ace hen and “Ronker” while his mother is inbred “Rocket”.
58. CU 10 Duhra 765 Blue Bar Hen. Inbred to “Rocket”. Amongst others she is the mother of “Speed King” (Winner of the California Classic and 1^st average speed). She is a top shelf breeder.
59. AU 13 Nanez 1669 Blue Bar Wfl Hen. Alfons Klaas. Perfect in every way including her pedigree. On the fathers side we have “Constans” who is responsible for more than 50 top ten finishes in one loft races. On the mothers side we find “Constant Teen” who is responsible for more than 15 top finishes in one loft races. Performance all over the pedigree.
60. AU 11 GFL 470 Blue Bar Cock. Hand picked for me by Mike Ganus. Has “Rocket” on both sides of the pedigree. Handles like a champion and he is grandsire to a multiple winner last young birds for Peter Larpthaveesarp flying in the South Bay. This years offspring are entries in one loft races and the FVC Snowbird Classic.
61. AU 09 Quest 3179 Blue Bar Wfl Cock. This is the father to “Speed King”, big money winner in the California Classic one loft race. He has “Hofkens Best” both top and bottom. His mother is a direct daughter of my National Ace Hen and “Ronker”, the best producing son of “Hofkens Best”.
62. CU 09 Duhra 20940 Blue Bar Hen. Inbred “Rocket”. Bred by Bob Duhra of Canada. Bred 1st drop Fast Eddies Late Hatch Classic winner of over $8000 and several other money winners in one loft races. Her full sister CU 09 Duhra 20955 is also in the auction.
63. CU 09 Duhra 20955 Blue Bar Hen. Inbred “Rocket”. Bred by Bob Duhra of Canada. She has been a superb breeder. She has bred 2 FVC Futurity winners, the only day bird @ 350 mile YB race and 2^nd in the AU Convention Race.
64. AU 06 Angel 240 Black Wfl Cock. He is a direct son of my “National Ace Hen” and has been a foundation cock. You need both hands and feet plus more to count the number of top birds that he is responsible for. He is also the sire to my California State Hall of Fame winner which makes him the grandsire to back to back FVC Snowbird winners as well.
65. IF 07 DEV 4286 Blue Check Splash Cock. Tremendous breeder. He is the product of my National Ace Hen mated back to her son. He has bred 2^nd in the AU Convention race and 2 FVC Futurity winners. Very potent breeder.
66. AU 07 ARPU 45221 Blue Bar Cock. The best of the best. This is “Mr. Onederful”. He won California State Hall of Fame in the 600 to 900 bird category. Never out of the clock. He has gone on to breed back to back FVC Snowbird winners in 2008 & 2009, First drop in Fast Eddies Late Hatch Classic and many other top pigeons.

SANDY BENEFIT AUCTION

THE FINAL CHAPTER

Presentation of New Jersey check, Stanley Kraiwic, Lynn Earing, director of new jersey chapter, Director of Sandy Relief, Erik Hall, Vinnie Torre

Submitted by Erik Hall
erikhall@optonline.net

After a long struggle I am happy to bring to a close what was supposed to be simple deal. At the start of this whole deal we were basically dreaming in lala land. We thought we were going to raise some money and help a few people who were in desperate need of help. Then we would give them some money and we would be happy that we helped some of the unfortunate. At the end reality hit and it hit hard. Together with Eric Gioiosa we started what was going to be a small fund raiser for the most unfortunate of victims from the Super Storm SANDY. We formed a committee of the most respected pigeon people in the NY/NJ area, Stanley Krawiec ( pres. CJC) Val Matteucci (sec/treas. L.I.combine,&IF) Vinnie Torre (Pres. LYN club NJ)Richie Smith(Pres. IF) John “Crown” Bakinski, John Panek,Tom Fahmie, and BIG Andy from Canada.

After seeing the devastation Eric and I got together and contacted pigeon flyers across the country that we both knew to try and put together two auctions to raise some money. As was reported in the Aug. issue of the Racing Pigeon Digest these auctions were a great success. I have never been a fan of reading names and stats but in this case I feel that the people who contributed to this effort deserve to be mention many times over, these are the people from our sport that will be there for you in the time of need and I can only give my heartfelt THANK YOU once again to, I-PIGEON (Fred Smeltzer) ISLIP HPC NY, LYN HPC NJ,  Chad Compton and Doug Harms of Gray Fox and Harms loft Illinios, Ed Minvielle of Siegels fame, Roborto Marziale of Canada, John Marles and Mark Evans of Florida and England, Linda and Oscar DeVries of Canada, Steve Walsh (ILA Loft)of Staten Island,  Tony Mellucci Fla., Kevin Williams (Never Happen and Tim) Mass, Ron Diesher Ind., Richie Zdan (Patti Loft)NJ, Michelle and Jerry Sonnie (Goldwings Loft)PA., Nick Barone (Hilltop Loft) NY, Bobby Gonzales (Magic Maker) Fla., Vic Miller Ohio, Dan Lionello Calif., Ron Mariani (Circle Loft)Fla. Mike Ganus Ind., Dick Lacroix Mass., Tom and Tim Beard (Double T Loft) Tex.,Kirby Harold( Kripple Kreek Loft) Conn., Tom Demartino (Sleepy Hollow) NY, Joe Colondona ( Japs Loft)NY, Erik Hall NY., Al Kashariaian (Whitehall Loft)NJ, Tim Kasharian( Shiloh Loft)NJ, Bobby Piscone (Presto) NY, Vinny Degrado (Amoco) NJ, Jimmy Kieran (Carole Loft) NY, Alex Bieche Calif., Bill Mitiu Fla.,Kenny Rhodes (Protégé) PA., Dave Hunsicker Calif., Ray Torres (Deb Ray) NJ, Lorifice Family Fla., Lou Coletta(Buffalo Bill) Calif., Mike Sherwood Mass., Lee Landry Mass., Tom Nettis NJ, Vinnie Torre (Hillside)NJ, Frank McLaughlin Mass., Dr. Dave Urnek Mass, Pete Surowiec (Riverside) NJ, Sal Court NY, Harold Samuals(Southside) NY, Joe Ida(Ridge Loft)NY, Tom Fahmie

(Battlridge Loft) NJ, Mike Tyson NJ, C.L. Gage Tex., John Baginski(Crown Loft) NJ, Chic Brooks ( Hapyco) Calif., Carter Moyotte Neb., Sal Rodriguez ( SALS LOFT) Utah, Charlie Lee and John McGrenaghan (Team Catskill) Miss. And NY, John Froelich (Double J) Ohio, Ken Christopher Utah, Damian Levangie Mass, Doc Piaget NJ, Tom and Lenny Costa NY, Steve Cappalini Mass, Art Cassale (Arrowhead loft) Calif.

I hope I haven’t left anyone out, if I have I truly apologies. If you are like me you probably skipped over all the names but please go back and look them over, these are the people that donated top quality pigeons to make this effort what it became.

Big Andy used his influence in Europe to help with this effort in the way of a small auction of EIGHT pigeons for almost $15,000. THANK YOU SO MUCH PIPA and ANDY.

The totals of the two auctions, one on Long Island and one in New Jersey together with the donations of $10,000 from the IF (THANK YOU SO MUCH IF)  and the European auctions came to a total of just short of

$ 75,000 WOW THANK YOU SO MUCH PIGEON FANCIERS WORLD WIDE WHO HELPED WITH THIS EFFORT.

Presentation of check to Long Island Chapter, Val Matteucci, director of L.I.chapter, Erik Hall, Richard Smith

What a time to rejoice, but then the satisfaction of being a part of such a fantastic fund raiser, perhaps the greatest ever came crashing down, my Co-Chairmen and partner in this effort ERIC GIOIOSA passes away only weeks after the auctions. Shortly there after we are notified by the state of NJ attorney general’s office that we illegally held a fund raiser without a permit and would be fined, the state of NY joins in. WOWS try and help the unfortunate and here we are “CRIMINALS”.

After months of sorting this out the original idea of trying to help out the most needy effected by Super Storm Sandy directly, due to legal limitation, has become impossible. Trying to still help the needy indirectly was becoming a challenge that was getting discouraging. Contacting organization after organizations who were helping the needy I was amassed to hear how much they were retaining for administration fees. I felt that I had a responsibility to all who donated not to have only about half go to the people who lost so much. This was not what this effort was all about.

Just days before Eric’s passing we discussed how we were going to reach the people who directly needed help and he told me his late wife was very active in the church and we could possibly go and see the monsenior of her church, take him out for lunch, have some wine, and get some ideas or names from him. But now with his passing that possibility was gone as I had no idea of whom or where the monsenior was.

Feeling totally frustrated and at a loss as to what to do, it was at this point that I remembered that a friend, Jimmy Petersen, had mentioned the Catholic Charities Organization and that his wife Margaret had worked for them during the 9/11 tragedy.

Not wanting to isolate the efforts just towards victims that were of the catholic religion I hesitated to contact them. After more dead ends I asked Margeret Petersen if she could put me in contact with who I needed to speak to at the Long Island Chapter of Catholic Charities. After speaking to this person I could see some light at the end of the tunnel, I felt this would be the answer to what we wanted to do.

They are an organization that are helping the most needy from SANDY and are NON-DENOMIONATIOAL, they don’t question anyone in need of help as to what faith they belong to or what their beliefs are, and they give 100% to the Sandy victims. Nothing is held back for administrational fees. After numerous conversations with them I felt that they were the best option to receive the funds that were raised. Thereafter I called the chapters on Long Island, Staten Island and New Jersey ( Monmouth and Ocean Counties) and we decided the money would be split in 1/3s and presented to these areas.

Upon meeting with these people and presenting the checks it really, after all the stumbling blocks, became such a great feeling of accomplishment to represent the pigeon sport in such a tremendous effort. To hear of the great stories of what a great effort these people have done and how much they appreciate our contribution is tremendous. They were so eager to learn of the racing pigeon sport and asked me to bring along some pigeons for them to see.

Our first presentation of 1/3 the total was presented to the Long Island chapter of which Val Matteucci and Richie Smith accompanied me. It was so gratefully received and people came from all over the building to view the pigeons and where so eager to learn all about them, it was almost like a party atmosphere. They were also having a raffle for their office that morning and Richie promptly bought about 50 tickets and won several times and gave back what he won.

The Staten Island area I felt a real special feeling for, this was the home of Eric Gioiosa. Traveling there I was accompanied by Lynn Earing, Vinnie Torre and Stanley Krawiec. Upon presenting the funds to the Staten Island chapter, of which we did in the name of Eric Giosa it was very ironic as the center was located right next door to the cemetery that my co-chair Eric Gioiosa was laid to rest and furthermore the director of the Staten Island Chapter once worked for Eric’s late wife. On the grounds of the building were we meet was the church of which Eric suggested that we would go. It really was a feeling that kind of made the hair on the back of my neck stand up as the director of Sandy relief said to me, you know, Eric is here with us now. It really was remarkable how full circle we had come. They showed us the large auditorium that was filled several times over with supplies for the Sandy victims. Hearing the stories of destruction and how so many people are still, 1 year later, without homes and needing help so desperately, it was a tremendous feeling to be able to help. As a side note they told us that the grounds upon where the distribution center is was once the largest orphanage in the United States and at this time only the permanently physically and mentally disabled were still there. Also the church is where the “Godfather” movies were filmed.

Presentation of check to Staten Island chapter, Lynn Earing, Stanley Kraiwic, director of Staten Island chapter, Erik Hall, Vinnie Torre

At our third and final trip, Stanley Krawiec, Lynn Earing, Vinnie Torre and I traveled to south New Jersey (Camden and Ocean Counties) about the hardest hit area of all, For the third time the pigeons were a tremendous hit and people came from all over the complex to view them, hold them (taught by Vinnie Torre) and hear all about racing them. After the presentation of the check we were given a tour throughout the entire complex (an old nursery building that they have been converting into a command help center, all the work being done on a voluntary basis) hearing about all the destruction again, it was truly a very humbling day. We were told of how still over 15,000 were homeless, how the lack of government help and how insurance companies were leaving everyone short. They showed us their food pantry, their furniture donation area, their tool area ,were you could come and borrow tools that had been donated, to do some of your own work, they had an area where they still had pets that people had no way of caring for, ( of which Vinnie Torre with a few tears in his eyes, promptly gave a personal donation for) it was amazing to hear all these young people who have been donating their time without any form of pay for the last year, telling us how they have been going onto the shore area, the marsh lands and beyond, finding so much of disaster victims personal belongings that people were still coming in to claim.

That brings to a close on what turned out to be a long and sometimes strenuous effort but in the end I was very proud to have represented all the pigeon people who donated to this cause. I wish everyone of you could have accompanied us for these presentations, to feel the pride we felt, to be able to help some of the very needy people. And at the same time I am sure there are many people who will look at pigeons a little differently. All three of the places we went the one thing everyone said was, wow, these pigeons are beautiful and nothing like what we see in the streets.

Thank you to all involved, A special thank you to the IF for such a generous donation to kick start this event, my only wish was that Eric Gioiosa could have been with us and seen this thru, maybe he did !!!!! Rest in peace my friend.

THE SCREENING OF RACING PIGEONS FOR PROHIBITED PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS AT THE GULF COAST HOMING PIGEON CLUB

1. Individual Flyers will be asked to have their pigeons brought to a separate room and place their birds in a clean crate for the purpose of collecting droppings. Ten to fifteen birds are required and may take as long as 45 minutes. During this time the area will be recorded for future questions. At the end a representative of the test committee will remove the sheet from the bottom of the crate, scrape the droppings with a clean utensil and place the droppings in a clean numbered container. The number will be recorded in a ledger and the name and signature of both the owner and the representative will be added next to the coinciding number. The Race Secretary will send the owner to the head of a shipping line for scanning the birds. All specimens will be kept frozen in a locked freezer until sent to a lab.

2. In the event the specimen is found to contain prohibited drugs the co1nmittee will inform the individual owner/flyer of the findings. He will then have 7 days to make an appointment to meet with the drug committee for his response. The owner will then be given a period of time to check his stock of medications and additives for the source. No repercussions will be taken against him, but all honors and points standings will be withheld at this time. The owner will be given the information of the lab used and he will then be given the opportunity to send any of his suspected products to the lab for further testing at his own expense. Any finding should be returned to the testing committee for exoneration and information to others.

• Future testing of flyers testing positive for prohibited drugs will be at the expense of the owner. In the event the owner is tested a second time and is found to have any prohibited drug then it would be brought up as a grievance to the Officials of the GHC for discipline and all honors will be taken away and all future race entry suspended.

3. In the event of a Special Race the first bird home will be brought to the GHC along with the clock. All first birds will be placed in individual clean cages in the shipping area for collection of feces specimens. The cage will be marked with the fancier’s name. No one will be allowed in that area without a test representative. At the conclusion and figuring the preliminary winners of the race, the first 10 positioned fanciers will have their birds feces collected for testing. The representatives will return all birds to their owners.

• Anyone tested for prohibited drugs will be reported to the officials of the club for discipline. The testing board recommends the holding of any monies the pigeon flyer would have been due and placed in an account to offset the cost of the drug testing program. The board also recommends that the breeder be given his share of the monies and informed of the findings. At this point a final race results sheet will be reported to the membership.

• At the time of shipping the special races it is the responsibility of the flyer to have full control of his birds. This includes the viewing of birds by breeders and others.

Performance Enhancing Drugs Band by the Gulf Coast Homing Pigeon Club

The following are lists of drugs that are band from use on pigeons by anyone flying races at the Gulf Coast Homing Pigeon Club:

All Narcotic Analgesics (Opiates & Morphine) A narcotic pain reliever.
This includes but not limited to:

Fentanyl- Brand names include but not limited to : Abstral, Actig, Duragesic, Fentora, Llazanda nasal spray, Onsolis.
Hydromorphone- Brand names include but not limited to : Dilaudid, Dilaudid HP, Exalgo.
Meperine- Brand names include but not limited to: Demerol
Methadone HCI- Brand names include but not limited to: Do1ophine.
Morphine Sulfate- Brand names include but not limited to: Avinza, Depodur, Duramorph, lnfumorph,
Kadian, Ms Cantin.
Oxycadone- Brand names include but not limited to: Oxecta, Oxycontin.
Oxymorphone HCI- Brand names include but not limited to: Opana, Opana ER.

All lnflammatories, both non steroids and Corticosteroids (Procaine)
This includes but not limited to: Brand names: Dexamethasone, Kenalog, Depot-Medrol, Aristospan,
Betamethasone, Solu Medrol, Celestone Soluspan, Orapred, Solu-Cortef, Prednisone, Flydrocortisone,
Pediapred, Colcrys, Cortef, Firmagon.

All Beta-Agonists (Bronchodilators)Used to treat asthma and COPO
This includes but not limited to: Brand names: Airolin, Airomir, Buventol, lnspiryl, Proventil, Albuterol,
Salama!, Salbulin, Salbutamol, Ventodisk, Ventolin, Barnbec, Berotec, Bronkosol, Xopenex, Alypent,
Metaprel, Pro Meta, Mavair, Brethine, Bricanyl, Bitolerol, Foradil, Oxis, Serevent.

All Anabolic Steroids: They increase the protein within cells, increase growth, have virilizing properties, and
have similar effects as testosterone.

This includes but not limited to: Brand names: Anadrol, Anavar, Bolderone, Betabolin Clenbuterol, Clomid,
Cytome, Deca Ourabolin, Dianabol, Equipoise, Halotestin, Human Growth Hormone, Insulin, Lasix,
Methyltestosterone, Nolvadex, Omnadren, Primobolan, Sustanon, Cypionate, Enanthate, Propionate,
Testosterone Suspension, Testosterone, Trenbolone, Winstrol.

All Amphetamines Stimulate the central nervous system.
This includes but not limited to: Brand names: Lisdexamfetamine, Methamphetamine, Adderall, Dexedrine,
Procentra, Dextrostat, Ritalin, Concerta, Vyvanse, Focalin, Strattera.

Masking Agents-Help in eliminating fluid from the body and hide and prevent detection of banned
substance or illegal drugs.

This includes but not limited to: Brand: Diuretics Desmopressin, Probenecid, Acetazolamide, Thiazides.

- The Price of Freedom -   

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

• Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
• Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
• Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
• Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
• They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners: men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall and straight, and unwavering, they pledged: “For the support of the declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”

Drew Lesofski

Tournament of Champions One Loft Pigeon Race 2014

I had the pleasure of attending the 2013 Tournament of Champions One Loft Pigeon Racing (TOC) in fabulous Las Vegas, February 20 -22 run by the very capable long time Vegas champion Hector Vancheri. The weather in Las Vegas in February is about as perfect as you can get. I’ve worked a lot in Vegas during the summer months; take my word for it gets as hot as the blazing sun.  The day of the race the weather couldn’t have been more perfect and the results where outstanding.

I flew in from Washington, D.C. and arrived in the afternoon of the 22^nd and headed immediately over to the Aliante Casino and Hotel for shipping. The place was abuzz with many big names like; the late Marty Ladin, Ed Lorenz, C.L. Gage, Ken Kelly, Bill Traw, award winning pigeon videographer Jim Jenner, Dean Ledet, Francis Sales, Sal Rodriguez, Mike Buckner, Greg McKnight as well as English fanciers Lee Fribbins, owner of the Racing Pigeon, Paul Smith, U.K. South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race Coordinator and David Coward-Talbott, winner of many National races as well as many local fanciers such as Jeff and Dick Earthman, Vic DeBrouwer and Bill Ensign.

Bill Ensign officiating on shipping night.

Vic DeBrouwer took the stage and informed those breeders in attendance on how the night would unfold and what breeders could expect the race to be like in the morning. He also ran the raffle.  I had the chance to catch up with several friends and had the privilege of putting birds bred by Eric Houchin, Mountain View Lofts of Washington State, into the race baskets. Running the clock and helping breeders was the ever beautiful Brenda Vancheri, wife of Hector, and helping her was Ensign’s radiant girlfriend, Ashley Spangler.

Drew Lesofski and Brenda Vancheri during shipping night.

Legendary FVC and GHC fancier Bill Traw and Drew Lesofski at the 2014 Tournament of Champions.

The late Marty Ladin and Drew Lesofski at the 2014 Tournament of Champions.

After all the birds were e-clocked and put into the crates many of the breeders either stayed at the hotel or went to the strip and partied late into the night. Fun was had by all.

The next morning came early, maybe a bit too early for some. Vic DeBrouwer and his lovely wife Charlene were gracious to open up their beautiful home and hosted a wonderful breakfast and loft tour for race participants. Vic he and Charlene built a fabulous home with a magnificent pool, Caesar himself would have approved, and a world class pigeon loft west of the strip. He and Bill Ensign, a Las Vegas native and pigeon aficionado, race as partners under the name Two-Be-Won. No decisions are made without the others knowledge and or approval and every expense is shared 50/50. Together they have built a reputation in the One Loft race scene as formidable competitors where they compete.

Vic DeBrouwer & Drew Lesofski at Vic’s house day of the Tournament of Champions 2014 race.

Fanciers converged the next morning at Vic’s home where he graciously opened up his home and lofts for tours of his modern loft and his incredible family of birds. Vic’s grandfather was an immigrant from Belgium and helped the U.S. Military during WWII and is credited with developing a way to release pigeons one at a time from a deployed blimp. Vic explained with great fanfare how his grandfather came up with his contraption and how it benefited the military effort. It was interesting to learn too that his grandfather’s farm in 1942 was developed by the Navy into the Naval Air Station at Santa Ana, California recognized today worldwide as the location of the huge enclosed blimp houses; which have been used for location shooting for numerous movies & TV programs, including JAG, The X-Files, etc.

Vic’s pool. Caesar himself would have approved!

Vic holding a picture of his grandfather who helped the U.S. Navy during WWII.

Vic and Bill’s lofts are one of a kind and totally custom built to their specifications down to the last inch. They had two large sections with numerous breeding boxes with huge aviaries for the birds to get outside and enjoy the elements and sun. On the backside of this loft, they have a larger section that they can use as individual breeding pens if they want but the pens looked like they were using this section more for storage at the time. The lofts are stuccoed and have large roll up doors that allow them to secure it when necessary as well as running water and an area for a table and chairs to enjoy his birds from the comfort of the shaded overhang. The walls on the outside of his loft, protected by the overhand, are covered in professional photographs of birds that have won acclaim for Vic and Bill. There were dozens of them and it was obvious that they are very proud of their birds and their accomplishments.

Wall of Champions at Bill Ensign and Vic DeBrouwer’s loft in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Later that day, breeders and spectators alike gathered at the race loft at Hector’s house just down the road from Vic’s. Hector was buzzing around as one could expect on such an important race day. His wife, Brenda, and her helpers were busy too, and had set up the garage as a large buffet with all the fixings. There was enough food there for 500 people, no one went hungry I can assure you. It was announced that 228 birds were released at 7:30 am into clear skies, no wind and 52 degrees.

Admiring the achievements of several of Bill and Vic’s champions.

Spacious aviaries have been incorporated into Bill and Vic’s lofts and the birds enjoy them.

Hector’s setup is modern and accommodating for the birds, handler and breeders and is located on a parcel owned by Bill.  He and Bill are also 50/50 partner’s owners in the race; it was evident each dedicated their talents and energy to ensure the Tournament of Champions is a world class race and it showed down to the smallest detail. Directly in front of the very large racing loft was a covered area set up with tables for participants to get out of the hot sun. Next to that area is a very large individual breeding loft with 75 individual compartments. Hector and Bill intend to use this space for participants who want to send birds from overseas but can’t get their entries through quarantine in time to adjust and acclimate to the race loft. Was an impressive setup to say the least.

Tournament of Champions modern and accommodating race loft.

Once lunch was served and folks started to set into waiting for the birds to arrive, Brenda and her helpers started to draw raffle winners. It was a fun atmosphere and there was a prize for anyone that sincerely participated. The prizes ranged from top shelf bottles of wine, chocolate, perch entry fees to gift baskets and other assorted items. Fun was had by all.

The TOC Ladies. They ensured everything went smoothly on race day.

Those that didn’t participate had the opportunity to catch up with old friends and make news ones. With so many heavy hitters from all over the country, each sharing his or her own perspective on a wide range of pigeon related topics to politics everyone learned something new.

As it became nearer the time race birds were expected to arrive the tension and excitement hung heavy. Everyone was anxious about the arrival of the birds and if they would be the next winner. We would not have to wait long, at 1:54 pm it started to rain pigeons from the sky. Eight birds hit the board together earning breeders; Ken Kelly/Mike Buckner, Phelps Family, Tom Famhie (Battle Ridge Loft), Jack Olsen, Dean Ledet/Roland Gutierrez, Francis Sales, J. Ling and Preston McGirr all clocked as equal 1^st!

2014 Tournament of Champions equal 1st place winners!

It was magical to see the birds arrive and dive for the landing board. From the moment the first eight arrived, there was not a lull in the remaining arrivals. It literally rained pigeons and is a tribute to Hector’s ability as a handler to get the birds into tip top condition and to perform as they did on that day. Conditions at the loft couldn’t have been more perfect with a comfortable 66 degrees, light wind and clear skies.

Birds hitting the board during the 2014 Tournament of Champions.

Click to see complete race report.

Other notable fanciers that clocked birds were: Tom Nettis in 22^nd place, Lee Fribbins in 31^st, David Talbott in 34^th, Barry Venn in 41^st, Eric Houchin (Mountain View Lofts) in 47^th, Marty Ladin & Eddie Spetz in 61^st, Bill Traw in 64^th, Frank McLaughlin in 74^th ect…,

Loft manager Hector Vancheri ensuring the returning birds are properly taken care of after the final race of the 2014 Tournament of Champions.

After it was apparent all the capital prizes were won, participants said their goodbyes but only after marking their calendar for next year to again send birds to the Tournament of Champions.

Race birds shortly after returning home from the final race.

I can honestly say that the Tournament of Champions one loft race was one of the best races I’ve attended; the birds were in shape, the accommodations were awesome and the hospitality was world class. I look forward to attending many more to come and remember what happens in Vegas….is Good!

Drew Lesofski

Click image or here to view entire bulletin

My dad and I in front of his white bird loft.

I grew up in the wilds of Montana, not far from the confluences of the Bitterroot and Clark Fork Rivers where Lewis and Clark made the decision and rightly so that they should cross the mountains rather than continue to follow the river to the Pacific Northwest.

My home town, Missoula, is known as the Garden City for obvious reasons and also as the “Hub of Five Valleys” which include the Upper Clark Fork, Lower Clark Fork, Mission, Blackfoot and the Bitterroot valleys.

In 1994, after graduating from High School, I thought it would be fun to have some white pigeons to play with and my dad thought they would add to the accoutrements of his award winning English style garden.  So I contacted Jay Alexander from Texas who advertised kits at reasonable prices.

These birds drip with health and vigor!

We made the deal and two kits, 24 birds in total, arrived 8 weeks later. They were beautiful, pedigreed, and had the most beautiful red eyes, different than the typical “bull” eye you see in many white pigeons today. Jay said that his whites descended from some of the best Sions to ever come to the country and that they had 500 and 600 winning genes in them. That was good to know but I wasn’t really interested in them winning races, I thought they would be fun to have and maybe make some money doing a few wedding releases. Thus, Glacier Dove’s was born and my dad still does releases on a regular basis.

The bloodline that Jay sent in 1994 is virtually still intact today, expect for one introduction of a blue bar hen in the early 2000’s named “Bell.” She was acquired to add to my racing loft and was a daughter to a national winner in Belgium. She refused to live the life as a prisoner in my breeding loft and took up residency in the white bird loft where she lived out her life as a free a bird. Other than “Bell”, no other bird has been introduced.

The only additive that the birds get is access to a large livestock salt block.

I moved away after getting married and my dad kept the whites and 20 years later they look and feel exactly like the originals; beautiful white coloring, cherry red feet and fiery red eyes. My dad gives them open loft 365 days a year, feeds them a good pigeon mix, and he gives them fresh water every day. The birds have access to a livestock salt block; this being their only additive. No medicine is given and their loft is cleaned maybe and I mean maybe ever couple of years. Natural health is abundant and I’m always impressed with their condition and health when I see them.

Old widowhood loft that now houses only white birds used for ceremonial releases around the state of Montana.

My dad houses them in my old widowhood loft which is 6 x 12 feet and has tiled gable roof. There are two large windows that slide open or shut as desired; they are always open it seems. He has a small aviary on one side where their waterer and feed hopper is. The birds sit in the old widowhood boxes; the nest fronts have been removed and there stick perches on the walls.

He trains the birds not very regularly usually but when he does their first toss is usually around 5-10 miles. Everything that flies regularly outside is goes.

Do they race? I’ve sent some to Dusan Smetana and he tells me they’ve flown competitive for him. I’ve sent some to other friends too and they all report the same, they are tough as nails!

He doesn’t sell birds nor are any for sale.

Drew Lesofski

Submitted by Ale Bieche
acbieche2@gmail.com

I was talking by phone to Ken Wetzel the other evening. In our conversation he said he has had some outstanding results with the Verbruggen pigeons going back as far as 1979. This was interesting news to me because for all this time most pigeon flyers interested in the Verbruggens assumed that Father Ed Witczak was the first to bring them to this country.

What happened in Ken Wetzel’s case was quite interesting and goes as follows. An article and a picture o the famous “De Geschifte” caught Ken’s eye. This cock was regarded as possibly being the best ever racer that Hofkens ever had. The new owner was listed as Gommair Verbruggen.

A note of interest. De Geschifte and Verheye’s famous Merckx cock are both grandsons of Hofkens would famous Driebander. Ken Wetzel, along with his friend Horst Hackemer, were both in Belgium at the time and decided to check out the Verbruggen stock. Ken’s outstanding results with the Verbruggens come from the direct offspring purchased at that time.

Horst Hackemer’s interest was quite different, but still from the same loft. The Meulemans super star, De Witneus, was also housed at the Verbruggen lofts. A direct son of this cock, when mated to a daughter of Verbruggens foundation cock De As, turned out to be an outstanding breeder for Hackemer. Horst considered this cock to be a Meuleman, apparently due to the father’s heritage. The Belgians, be it right or be it wrong, don’t look at it in this fashion. In this pigeon was bred in Verbruggens loft and reflects the bloodline or heritage of the Verbruggen foundation cock, De As.

I’m sure Horst Hackemer, the gentlemen that he is, had no harm intended. It may be like a zebra. Is a zebra black with white stripes? Or is he white with black stripes? The bottom line is that the birds have definitely made an impact in America and now trace back even further than Father Ed’s group that came to America, about 1982.

The world of horse racing

It is no secret that the horse racing business is way down from 10 years ago. The 70,000 spectators have fallen off to about 35,000 in the larger races such as the Triple Crown [2014, 20 million viewer tuned in to watch California Chrome attempt to win the Triple Crown].  This year a gray horse named Silver Charm had the potential of being Triple Crown winner. Like magic, the attendance again increased to close to the 70,000 mark. Apparently the last Triple Crown winner, Affirmed, was way back in 1978. In analyzing this information and also relating it to our pigeon sport. We can come up with the following conclusion.

Every sport there needs a hero, someone to look up to or talk about. If you are a golfer you can really relate to this to the new arriving super star of Tiger Woods. The reason I am pointing this out is that maybe we need some sort of today’s pigeon hero or a National awards system that puts a real spotlight on our own hero pigeon of today. With a little rain storming, I’m sure we could come up with something. If you have any ideas on this subject you can share them with me or someone in your combine.

Last year while in Belgium, we had a wonderful visit with Louis Van Loon of Popel [1923-2012]. A lot of rumors were answered and I got a good handle on the makeup of the Van Loon pigeon family. Last month I received more information from his daughter, Ann, by mail. The make-up of the different families used is quite interesting, and sheds the light on why this family will also cover the distance races. During this year’s Belgium trip I will pick his brain a little more and then write an article on this loft, as soon as I get back.

If you are a fan of the Janssen family of pigeons this may be of interest to you. With only one of the Janssen brothers remaining [Louis Janssen, the last remaining brother passed away April 16, 2013 at the age of 100], we are now truly near the end of a legend. Wouldn’t it be a sham to lose the Janssen heritage as we know it. Apparently, the well-known Belgian De Scheemaecker breeding station is working out the details on making the original house and lofts into a museum [All the remaining Janssen pigeons were sold to fanciers in China in 2013]. What a great idea! Speaking a little more about the Janssen pigeons. In my opinion the hottest Janssens in the world today are not in Belgium, but in Holland. This family I call the Van Moorsel Janssen, named after the incredible Van Moorsel hen was 1^st Ace speed pigeon of the Netherlands, three times 2^nd Ace Hen of the Netherlands, 1989-90-92. This hen raced in a world of widowhood cocks, but she beat them all. I just received a letter with the Ace Netherlands results. Four of the top 14 Ace pigeon awards this year went to pigeons from this same bloodline. Campbell Strange, now the owner of his De Gouden 14 and the Vos Schalie 39, claimed to be the best red racing Janssen in the world – both go back to the same bloodline. I brought in just a few, last year. If they fly even half as good as they look, then we have a winner. It’s unbelievable – they truly look like show birds.

A Problem with a solution

In checking your youngsters, you notice that one has a leg that is extended and will not stay in place. If the nest has plenty of nesting material this will not happen. The young leg muscles will push to support the weight of the pigeon, however, if there is nothing to push against the leg will extend out to its extremity, if the leg stays in the extended position for a long period of time, this will weaken the muscle that retracts the leg. Caught in the early stages this can be corrected and the youngster saved.

A plastic snap ringlet and a rubber band will work wonders. The rubber band is pulled through the pigeon band and twisted until the leg is locked under the pigeon with the snap ringlet on the other leg. This will support the leg but yet gives the pigeon enough flexibility to work the muscles and regain proper placement. The rubber band should remain attached for approximately five days. A few additional days may be needed if you have a severe case.

Patricia and Gerald Antonio, Blue Bar Loft

Every once in a while you run across a fancier that proves he’s made of the right stuff, I believe Gerald Antonio, Blue Bar Loft, has the right stuff.

Gerald lives in the San Diego area and races with the 395 Combine and with the San Diego club. He lives more or less on the long end, but does not seem to be negatively affected by it and has turned an otherwise handicap, some would argue, into sweet lemonade.

www.bluebarloft.com

In 2014 alone, only flying 8 of the 12 Combine races, he was leading in average speed points in the 8^th race before he had to stop for work related reasons. This is a shame, but we all have other responsibilities besides pigeon racing.

Mr Mono Lake  -  son of Martina, back to back champion @ 285 & 375 miles
1st  vs  366 birds @ 375 miles   San Diego club result
1st  vs  667 birds @ 375 miles   Combine result   (40 miles on the long end)
1st  vs  805 birds @ 375 miles   395 Concourse – South Section  (60 miles on the long end)
31st  vs 1612 birds @ 375 miles   395 Concourse  (120  miles on the long end)

Martina  -  back to back champion @ 285 &325 miles, dam of Mr Mono Lake
1st   vs   505 birds @ 285 miles   San Diego club result
12th  vs 1063 birds @ 285 miles   Combine result   (40 miles on the long end)
1st  vs  454 birds @ 325 miles   San Diego club result
9th  vs  906 birds @ 325 miles   Combine result  (40  miles on the long end)

Mr Bishop
1st  vs  393 birds @ 320 miles   San Diego club result
34th  vs  915 birds @ 320 miles   Combine result
6th  vs   430 birds @ 210 miles   San Diego club result
7th  vs 1140 birds @ 210 miles  Combine result
9th   vs 1383 birds @ 210 miles   395 Concourse South section

Kristi
1st  vs  512 birds @ 250 miles   San Diego club result
3rd vs 1121 birds @ 250 miles   Combine result (at 40 miles on the long end the time to beat was only 90 seconds)

Gerald has an easily navigable website and I recommend you take a few moments to visit it and learn more about him and his fantastic birds!

PETA is up to their old tricks again. Click on link to watch news report, sorry you’ll have to suffer through the 30 second ad to see the video, that discusses the situation.

http://www.newsok.com/multimedia/video/3697124105001

July 28, 2014 News Channel 4 in Oklahoma aired a segment on the allegations made by PETA against Rick Mardis, former owner of Continental Breeding Station.

In the segment the report calls an official with PETA to confirm their claims of illegal gambling and animal abuse but to his surprise the PETA representative admits they can’t back up their allegations against!

Click here to watch the segment.

John Durrer and Drew Lesofski at John’s beautiful home and loft.

I had an opportunity to visit the newest member of my concourse, John Durrer from Purcellville, Virginia. John is a retired school teacher who had pigeons as a kid but got out of them as his life started to take off.  About 7 years ago he bought his current house and just this year decided to build a loft and get back into pigeons.

John Durrer’s loft.

I arrived in the mid-morning but unfortunately my visit was cut short because I’d thrown my back out earlier in the day and was in great pain. Nevertheless, I persisted to visit John as I wanted to see his new loft and to give him some youngsters as a starting gift.

Window leading out to the aviary, feeding shelf and louver below.

John’s house sits on 5 acres in an idyllic setting with wide open farm country surrounding him. His spot is ideal for flying pigeons and I expect he’ll do well from this location.

Birds in John’s breeding section.

His loft is 8’ x 24’ and is divided into four sections; two for young birds, one for old birds and one for breeders.  Being this is John’s first season back in the game he is only three sections are occupied with the last serving as a feed and storage room.

John showing me how his landing board works.

The walls of John’s loft are double sided with siding on the outside and ¼ inch ply on the inside. Each section has a door with a large wire portion to allow light and air circulation and to let John observe his birds at a glance.  Each section is wired for electricity and lights making this a modern loft for sure.

Door way in John’s loft. Notice the lattice overhead and the double lined walls.

There is a large aviary that runs the length of his loft and each section has a sliding window that opens to let his birds out into it. Each section also has its own trap and a large ventilation louver affording John’s birds receive adequate ventilation without a draft. The sections are enclosed from above with plastic lattice to prevent his birds from flying over his head and out of his reach.

Lattice prevents his birds from flying over his head. Notice the skylight in the ceiling.

The roof has a large gable roof with vents along the top and skylights which flood the loft with natural light. The loft faces southeast.

Stick perches in John’s old bird section. He will install boxes when he races obs next season.

Three sections have stick perches with only the breeding section having typical nest style boxes. One section though did have two plastic wire shelves with nest bowls on them. It was unclear if they were being used by the inhabitants.

John’s breeding boxes. He modeled them after mine. Notice the 4″ ledge in the front. This allows the bird(s) to perch when box is closed and or lets you put a feeder and waterer on the outside when breeding.

Additionally, each section has a shelf that runs the length of the section where John can hand feed or place the waterer if so desired. I thought this was a nice touch, its something I have in my own young bird loft.

John uses a deep litter system and keeps his feeder off the litter by using a board.

All in all it was a nice visit and I’m pleased to see John get back into the sport of kings.

Submitted by Alex Bieche   
acbieche2@gmail.com

As I write this article “Black Power”, 2nd AU Hall of Fame Middle Distance, 11 Bie 11009, our Schellens hen is listed on the 2014 O/B AU National data Page as the 2nd best pigeon of all America in her class. I wished this story had a great ending but things did not turn out so well after her 3rd race and ended her racing career. To fully understand the details about her drive to be out front let me start from the beginning.

It all started with her Sire “Bones” 06 Bie 6049, bred from our Schellens foundation cock “Warlord” 551 09711 DV 96.  “Bones” before our 2006 Y/B season was one of my least favorite young birds.  Deep keeled and to make it worse not great in the hand like a good handling Janssen. I’m not into show birds and I like to give all my youngsters a chance to prove themselves. In one of his first races her he comes. Not with a group but all alone taking 1st club 1st North Bay City Comb. I don’t pay too much attention to a one time winner but when he arrived all alone again taking first prize in the Combine at that point he was started to look a lot better.  In both races he was clocked 6 to 18 minutes out front of loft mates.  “Bones” the fallowing year in turn bred the Number 1 North Combine Ace Pigeon. The original Schellens breeders in some cases do not handle that great but in the races they seem to have a mind of their own and give you 100%  One more example. In 2010 a club member, Luis Lopez, was told to cull one of his young birds by a friend before the season. That same bird won the title of 2010 1st Ace Pigeon of all California in his class. In 2012 a sibling of the same pair also won the same award.  To give the offspring from “Bones” a little better body we mated him to another Schellens Imports. In this case on the mothers side also having a little of  “De Kannibaal”  from Louis v. Dyck blood line in her pedigree. From this mating came “Black Power” hen. In her racing career she has Won 8 x 1st   In 2013 She Won 2nd Ace all Ca. and 4th Ace AU of All America. In this year’s 2014 old bird racing season she was raced on the double widowhood system. In her first race she won a respectable 8th North Section and 47th, Over All Combine with 1,729 birds competing.  In the 2nd race she was in top form and arrived all alone again just like her Sire “Bones”, this time over 4 minutes ahead of the 2nd place bird from a field of 1,611 birds in the race!  On the shipping night of the 3rd race she was in top form again and ready to give it her all. Waiting for the birds to come in on race day we spotted two early birds and both immediately hit the landing board.  Yes!  One of the two was the “Black Power” hen. This time she brought along a loft mate. This is where it gets crazy.  She went for the open trap but at the same time the 2nd bird went over her back diving into the loft. Because she was totally beneath him and on the landing pad, she was registered in the clock but the other bird did not clock. After retrieving the 2nd bird from the loft and clocking him he still placed 2nd overall combine from 1,486 birds but 1.46 minutes behind the “Black Power” hen.

The next day I checked how she was doing and noticed that the fluid in her eye was all most gone. Sad but true she was totally blind in that one eye. The only thing that I could think of was that the toe nail from the cock that went over her back scratched her eye.  Her racing days are over but not all is lost, hopefully she well turn out to be a good breeder and carry on her winning genes.

Cindy and Alex Bieche

When the AU Data base results were published she moved from 9th place up to 2nd Over All.  With just a few points behind the Number one spot with seven races to go I feel she had a good chance in coming in 1st. Unfortunately at this point we will never know because of her eye injury. What we do know that our line of Schellens fly to win and Bill Tadlock said it best.  “Alex I have purchased a lot of fantastic birds in my lifetime, but never have I had a hen as your Bieche 6060 that has produced winners with every cock I have placed her with.  Many have arrived all alone as you have pointed out and won us close to $250,000 in the big one loft races”.

Submitted by Greg McKnight
gregmcknight92804@msn.com

Note:  Our racing starts in September and flying in So. California. USA 

Adjust your schedule accordingly.

Feeding is always somewhat different in regions of America do to the weather conditions.   Colder climates need more fuel than the hot and dry areas of flying.   I believe feeding twice a day is the correct way by this method the crop doesn’t over expand to adjust the once a day feeding routine.  You can adjust the birds condition a lot faster with twice a day feeding.  Lighter seeds are more suited for the hot areas and heavier for the cold climates.  I prefer to feed the light seeds early in the week and more of the corn, peanuts, sunflower at the end of the week during the race season.   Some peas in the mix are OK.  Safflower late in the week is good to blow them up for that corky balloon feeling.  Rice is a great food for the hot areas with it’s absorption of water and the high carbohydrate content.  “The great fanciers are experts at feeding.”  Try to insure feeding enough for all the birds when in training and use barley as the gauge for monitoring.   Some barley left over in the tray is just enough, especially when in the initial training mode.   This is the learning period.  They need to be rewarded but not over fed.

The base mix is a mixture of grains with about 15% – 16% protein.   With this you cut or add to the mixture as needed.   I use a Jedds Lite or depurative mix to accomplish this.  With this basic mix you then can add your other grains as needed by conditions such as weather, body feel, mind conditioning, training response and so on.  With experience you’ll get good at it!  “Control of the physical condition is very important to make a Champion”   This will get your birds home in race time and be competitive.   Many other things are needed to be on top of the sheet, such as environment, motivation & health.

August is the month of training and the need to hydrate is very important and many products are out there.  Electrolytes with glucose, dextrose, grape sugar or honey are a real asset during this time. Jedds code #9001 or Gems Impact code Gem 020 great source of vitamin B-12 and recommend using at the end of the week.   Now toward the end of the month I use Gems Flight Fuel or Vydex Jet Stream both high in creatine & ATP muscle building ingredients.  This takes some time to go to work, but you’ll feel the difference in handling the birds.  Remember as previously mentioned in the July Season Reminders another dose of Malaria medicine code #Med 044 is recommended.

I’m not going into training your birds but remember if you can train on high ground with land marks such as tall buildings this is a benefit for the birds.  I believe they use landmarks for the last 30 miles to locate home, but their homing ability takes over after that to the general area.  If you can mark the loft with a big colored X or something on the roof top this would be a good landmark for the birds.  I’ve even used a strobe light mounted high on the loft roof. Train the straight line for your initial training and release only your birds.  Take a map and draw a straight line from the release point to your loft and especially train that line the first 30 miles.  “This will pay dividends down the road”

I’ve even grounded the loft by taking a 6 ft piece of steel re-bar and inserted 4 ft into the ground and attached to loft to help with any magnetic electrical interference.  “I don’t know if this has any value, but so you know I’ve tried a lot of things over the years to gain the desired edge” Product called magnetite sold at Jedds code #9003 is used by some successful fanciers who swear by it!

Medication & stimulant readiness:  The below items can be purchased at Jedds Pigeon Supply or like products at your favorite pigeon store.

Have in your medicine cabinet or at your ready items such as Tony’s Treasure Tablets Jedds code #7984 a general shot gun pill for all types of issues.  Fabry Ideal Pills code #FP 006 or Vita King #1431 a great appetite & fortification pill.  Tri-Coli code #VP 003 or Spartrix code #1412 individual treatments for canker also codes # Med 037 or Med 015 as a flock treatment.  Respiratory items such as Doxi-Tyl #5005 or Saunovil #1421 or Aureomycin concentrate #1159 as flock treatment. Spiradox tablets code #A2525 or Doxybird tabs code #Med 020 for the individual bird.  Parasite infestation Mediworm code #Med 034 or Vetefarm worm-out pill code #7974 for the individual bird.  Vermisol code #5009 or worm out gel code #7954 or Moxidectrin purchased from Siegel for flock treatment.  Coccidiosis issues use Endocox (Baycox) code #1452 or Sulmet code #1103 or Coximed tabs code #Med 061.

Ivomec drops code #1161 or #1158 for the air sac mites.  Highly recommend to administer 2 weeks before the first race.

Adeno virus syndrome use this time tested product called Adeno Zap code #1830 mixed with Amoxicillin code #1269 for 7 days when virus present itself.

I know you need to use respiratory and canker treatments thru-out the season.  With a medicine cabinet at your ready you can take immediate action as you see the condition of the birds worsen.  Learn to read your pigeon symptoms and have a mentor to communicate with during this time period.

Work on your game plan for the races.  Peak your race team on race day not in the middle of the week.  Remember Health-Training-Motivation along with good birds win races!

Yours in the sport,

Greg McKnight

Victory timers are available in the USA, including new timers, used timers, replacement parts, chiprings and timer repairs. Manufacturer authorized service includes battery replacement on timers 7-10 years old. Contact: Ken Kobus at 715-732-1261. Email: whtdoves@yahoo.com

Larry Tomlin and Drew Lesofski at Larry’s fabulous loft, Lamppost Loft, in sunny California.

The second week of August I had an opportunity to visit Larry Tomlin, Lamppost Loft, seeing that he bred me a super hen last year I jumped at the chance.

Larry owns and runs his own successful business and somehow has time to fly pigeons. Larry is one of the busiest guys I know, he would argue the opposite, so scoring a visit was a big deal.

Larry’s 36′ x 8′ racing loft.

I visited Larry’s loft in late 2013, (click here to read that article) I’ve had lunch with him a few times before with his pigeon buddies usually on my yearly visit to southern California, and was really impressed with his lofts and birds.

Larry is a no ‘BS’ kind of guy, I attribute this to his tenacity as a small business owner and former champion Irish street fighter. (I’m kidding about the street fighter part, or am I?) His set up is straight forward, practical and zero fuss. He has a system that works for him so why change.

Larry’s record keeping. Zero ability to lose your records and they are easily available!

Larry is a long time member of the Orange County Flyers (OCF) club which has 25 regular flyers. The OCF club has in past years raced with the powerful 395 Combine, which usually has about 100 flyers from 10 clubs competing.  Nowadays, the OCF races with the 99 Combine, which has 60 flyers from 5 clubs.

Young Bird perches; easy to clean, zero fuss.

After my visit in 2013, Larry committed to banding me a few birds for my local band races here in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Larry made good on his commitment and one of the birds he banded, AU-13-JEDDS-6109 a beautiful blue bar white flight hen would turn out to be a super racer for me in old birds this year winning:

2^nd (eq. 1^st) Club, 3^rd Concourse – 150 miles
2^nd (eq. 1^st) Club, 2^nd Concourse – 200 miles
2^nd (eq. 1^st) Club, 13^th Concourse – 300 miles

’6109′ a fantastic racing hen for me in 2014 during the 2014 old bird season.

The week after she flew the 300 she hit a wire and bruised her breast muscle so I stopped her.

Larry’s widowhood boxes. Notice above each door is a playing card. I wonder which box has the Ace of Spades?

When I visited Larry I asked to see ‘6109’s parents. WOW! They were awesome to say the least. I asked him if he’d sell them, I already knew the answer, no. Not for any other reason than Larry doesn’t sell birds and didn’t want to start. He of course being a super dude offered to breed me two more for 2015 young birds if I wanted. Hell Ya!

Parents of ’6109′. Absolutely one of the best pairs of pigeons I’ve ever had the pleasure of handling.

Larry’s family of birds is a creation of his own. There are based off some Hofkens he acquired from a Herman Beaverdam auction some years ago and a bird here or there that’s fit. He is not prone to new strain fads or suffers fools. Birds are either are good or they aren’t. A new bird is tried from time to time but if they can’t beat his other birds they are removed.

Larry with his foundation hen ‘ Blossom’.

I look forward to visiting with Larry again and of course to flying some more of his wonderful birds.

Drew Lesofski 

By Alex Bieche
bieche@biechelofts.com

We have been arranging our trips to Europe since 1991, and each year it seems to still be a fun-packed new experience. This year along with picking out birds for me and our clients, we are also making a new video of the three Janssen lofts that we visited. The first part of my trip was to go into Germany for 3 days to grade some pigeons.

Heinz Meirer again wanted me to go through all his breeding stock. The next morning, after looking the stock birds over, he said, “Well, what bird do you like the best this year?”

One must first be reminded before answering this question that this loft is loaded with nothing but the cream of the crop from all parts of Europe. Record birds, or even better, the parents that bred these birds are always of interest to Heinz. One way or the other they normally end up in his loft. For this reason this made his question even more difficult.

After a little extra thought I replied “There is a new B/B cock in the upper right breeding compartment that I haven’t seen before that I really like.”

Heinz said, “You really hit that one on the money. That pair bred one of the Ace pigeons of all Belgium.”

At that point I wanted to know more. I happen to like the cock from the pair as the better of the two. Anyways, the son of this pair “Unicum” 96 Belg/ 6341528, won a total of 23 firsts including 97 / 5^th Ace pigeon KBDB 99 / 4^th Ace pigeon KBDB. With the KBDB being the top competition of all Belgium and this cock placing that high three years in a row, I would say this cock was some kind of racing machine. The pedigree of ‘Unicum” shows such great blood lines as Van Loon, Rey De May and Van Hove Uijterhoeven.

I then had a chance to look and grade 6 youngsters, bred from this super breeding pair, making them full brothers or sisters to “Unicum.” After selecting what I considered the best 2 of the crop, Heinze said, “Those are a gift to you.” Wow! What a gift!

Before leaving I did make another suggestion. The original Schellens pigeons Heinz purchased back in 1991 are getting up there in age. One of the sons of the foundation cock “De Argenton” is already 14 years old (De Argenton was 14 years old in 2000, he is deceased now.). Before going infertile I suggested that he be mated to 3 top pure young Schellens hens. It wasn’t hard to find three hens of top quality, but my favorite was a beautiful B/B hen bred from the Shellens “Good Yearling” cock. This is a the same cock that Herbots sold to Taiwan for DM26,000, then shortly after purchased him back due to the fantastic racing/breeding records of his offspring. The “Good Yearling” is also a direct son of Argenton when mated to a different hen.

Driving back through Holland, we stopped by the loft of Koopman and Son. This is a father and son team that seems to work very well. The father does all the breeding at his home while his son races the birds at their new property. The pigeons have turned out to be a fulltime job for his son. His wife, on the other hand, is a school teacher.

Both were home when we arrived and were kind enough to show us the birds, lofts and racing records of this year. He showed me a couple of his best races. One race, sending 75 birds, he took the first 10 places from 15,438 pigeons. The other race he showed me, he sent 50 birds and he had 1 through 4 and again 6 and 7^th place with 13,137 pigeon entered. I know they are sending more birds than most of us send, but without question these are some outstanding results.

This is the first time I visited this loft and I was surprised to see the deep litter system being used. The loft is only a few years old and this year they made a few changes that apparently made a big difference. When they first built the racing lofts they had the drop floor, with about a 2 foot drop. This was changed to a drop of only about 6 to 8 inches. They claimed that for whatever reason the extra depth under the floor made for an unhealthy environment. The day we were there the droppings under the floor in same spots were already hitting the slatted floor sections.

Also, a few trees in front of the loft that were hindering fast trapping were cut down. After the trees came down the Koopman’s were cited for not getting a permit first. Apparently, the politics of the city or county telling you what you can or cannot do with your own property is the same in Holland as it is in America.

The Koopman family of birds in great part go back to Louis Van Loons along with some Janssen’s. They are true to type with 90% of the eyes being a yellow orange in color. I have noticed that several of the Van Loons have this same color.

When I asked Koopman about this he also said that the Janssen line that has worked well into his family way back was the Janssen Keeloger blood line. “Keeloger” means yellow eye.

A few years back Koopman also purchased a daughter of Dirk and Louis Van Dyck’s “Kannibaal”. This pigeon was No. 1 Ace Pigeon we were there to handle this fantastic pigeon and what a pigeon he is. After winning this highly coveted award Van Dyck immediately placed him into the stock loft. This introduction has turned out to be a gold mine for the Koopman’s breeding loft. Many of the today’s champions come down from this hen.

While we were leaving the Koopmans place, I noticed a blender with some soft food of some kind in it. I asked if he fed this to his birds. Here is he explanation: My pigeon idol when I was growing up had always been Van Loon. Because we became very close friends, Van Loon told me something that he himself had noticed with his pigeons. On many occasions the birds would go out to the fields and eat something from the ground. Wanting to know what they were craving, Van Loon noticed that they were eating field snails. By doing a little homework Van Loon found that dairy cheese satisfied the same need as the snails. He came up with a formula that satisfied him and the pigeons very well. He would take any soft inexpensive cheese and add 50% raw peanuts and then grind them up in a blender. This is then fed as a treat year around.

After a great visit with Mr. and Mrs. Koopman we said our good byes.

Click here to read the full September Bulletin

 Jacobin Pigeons – A Lecture By Drew Lobenstein P-1

Jacobin Pigeons – A Lecture By Drew Lobenstein P-2

August 2014 Club Meeting Pictures