Editor’s Note: Every one in this club knows Jack Welling – he was Secretary/Treasurer for years – and has had a VERY successful career flying pigeons outside the Gurnay USA Club. One of his daughters asked him to write up his experiences with racing pigeons, and we’re honored to include the start of this small book, in the Newsletter!
-- Ya Gotta Work For It
Now back to the training and other elements needed to be successful.
Once the birds have been ‘circle-trained’ around the loft from all directions at the ten-mile point, it is time to
start directional training along the line of flight, or the direction the races are flown from. In our area that would be
southwest from our current loft location. At this time, I have some thirty different locations measured from my loft to
various release points out to six hundred (600) miles. Some old-bird races can be flown from that distance and some
clubs have been known to push it out to one thousand miles. I, personally, have never raced past the six-hundred-mile
station.
Generally, the old-birds are raced in the spring and the youngsters in the fall. This is done to take advantage of
the birds’ natural instincts, weather and the physical condition of the birds. As a handler, it is our job to bring all of these
elements to a peak to match the race schedule. Easier said than done!
Let me explain some of the terms. The old-bird team consists of birds older than the current year while the
young birds are just that. To compete as a young-bird, it must have been banded in the current year and usually done
early in the year. They are born early and tested the same year so that only the best will be kept; other-wise a person
would be overcrowded. They are prolific breeders and can hatch several nests each year, if allowed, and they are NOT all
good.
Some will be lost in training, some in the races, and some to predators. Any left after racing are usually good
prospects for the future, depending on the plans of the fancier.
Once a person has joined a club, the membership gathers at a point to send the birds off as a group. As stated
before, the birds are banded with a permanent band at birth and a soft rubber “countermark”, with a number placed on
the opposite leg. Both numbers are written on an enter sheet as the birds are put into the shipping crates. They are
mixed with birds from other lofts so they aren’t able to group together before being released. Special timers are set.
Later in the evening, the birds are picked up by a specially made transporter and taken to the release point, to
be let loose the next morning, to fly back home.
When they reach home, they enter the loft, the soft rubber countermark is removed from its leg and put into
the special timer and “clocked”. The fanciers, then, meet again and the speed of each bird timed in is calculated. The
speeds are then listed by their speeds and the race winner is determined. My first, new timer was a wind-up model and
cost me $57.00. Now, they are mostly electric and can cost over $1000 for a new one.
At the end of the season, the total distance flown and the total time on the wing is figured and an average speed
for the season is calculated with the fastest average speed being declared the season’s champion. Usually, once the
racing is finished for the year, the sexes are separated and the birds allowed to rest for a few months. The process starts
over again in the spring.
Each fancier has their own system to get the most out of their birds. Some are happy to do, each year, what has
worked for them in the past. Others keep tweaking their program, looking for the “magic formula” for success as
determined by their racing results.
In a nutshell, that is a brief description of ‘Pigeon Racing’. The little details have been left out as each person
determines, and does, what they consider is important to their program.
You will notice that, through-out this writing, I refer to those that have had an influence on my participation as
friends, rather than by name. This was done purposely because so many people have passed on so much to me that I
don’t want to start naming names for fear that I may leave someone out unintentionally
Hello. We received the two boxes today with the four Hansenne pigeons. Arrived in excellent condition.
She is SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL! Thank you guys for looking out for me. Can’t say enough about how much I love the bird and birds you have sent me.
Thank you so much, i got the bird! He's so beautiful, pin tail apple body, nice wing :)
Hello there, My name is Mike and live in Az, I had racing pigeons when I was young and now Im not young haha 61, Semi retired and determined to move to a place where I can fly birds again, want to get my grandkids involved. Anyway as a kid I flew some Sions and really enjoyed your website. When Im ready would love to get a few Sions again and see how they do. Any advice for an old newbie? lol
Hey Donnie, Saw your Birds on Ipigeon and must say, those are some Beautiful Heitzmans. They are very true to what I called the real thing. Beautiful Hansennes as well. Take Care, Chuck
Hi
I have placed the pigeon recieved from you recently in a priority express shipment back to you in same box recieved. Bird was beautiful and healthy but we realized it’s nature is such that it needs to fly and be a racing pigeon. We can’t offer that life to it and realize it was a mistake to try this based on our situation
Bird has had not been outside and has been confined indoors in isolation since recieved.
Please give it the home it deserves.
Appreciate the care you took getting it to us!!!
Need some color on my team. Had some sion couple years ago when i had a partner who sick and could not care for his own birds. He liked sions so i bought some from you on pigeonauction.com. We alot of fun his sions against my team .He has since past on. His family called me and thanked me for letting fly with me he really looked forward race day. HE WON EVERY WEEK
Path: https://www.clayhavenfarms.com/pigeons/for-sale
Thank you guys so much for allowing me the opportunity to love these birds.
Thanks again for the most beautiful Pure Paul Sions pigeons ever!! The loft is full of happy sounds from the birds strutting around in their new home. Y’all were so easy to work thru my problems of birds I chose.
Thanks a million times over Pam and Donnie. Your friend Jimi
Good evening
What a surprised New Year’s gift from you guys
I received the very nice young pure white hansennes hen this pm.
I was not aware that you sent her already/
Thanks for sending 12046
I really like her.
Please keep me posted when you have bastins availabe
Wishing you a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year.
Thanks so much
I received the birds this morning.
As I expected, they are all very pretty and healthy.
I need a nice sion cock to pair up with my almost white hen.
I believed, I inquired a white splash white sion cock,
Not sure if he is still available, trying to breed out pure white sions
From your loft.
The Hansenne cock, very handsome, pls keep me posted for a solid
White hen. The hen very beautiful, can’t
Wait what they will yield.
Thanks so much
I’m super stoked for new birds!. Second new loft in Austin Texas. I’m really looking for 4 to 5 pair.