Anthony webster wrote: ↑Wed Apr 17, 2024 10:26 am
Trev wrote: ↑Wed Apr 17, 2024 8:46 am
Anthony webster wrote: ↑Wed Apr 10, 2024 8:26 pm
My self
No1 don't get fooled by birdage numbers
No2 check there location and see if they can win against the wind not when everything suits them
No3 buy a big kit and race the socks of them and keep the best after 3 seasons racing if they are good go back but only buy the same as what worked for you over 3 seasons,
Just like to point out that alot of in fashion names selling for big money now could not win there club last season against wind but when wind turns and birds fly directly over there loft they can win,
But most important to me is winning against the wind
And looking for a flyer who can send a small team and perform at the top regularly.
I do agree completely with the first two points, the 3rd I kind of do but realise that for some fanciers, especially those just starting out and with limited funds, you can't always afford to risk throwing away birds you've just brought, very different if you are trying to improve an existing team !!
The other point I would always question is the amount of firsts that many of these fanciers have, so many are actually the same race but nominated through several different organizations, yes technically it's more than one but in reality, still only one.
I see your point Trevor about money
But over 3 seasons racing paying for poor quality birds to race against good birds that throwing money away as well and allso sole destroying when ya knocking ya plums in and getting know where each weekend,
The birdage thing is a con
But looks great on paper
Like Holland 80 members send 8000 birds
Belgium 80 members send less than 800 birds
Like north east in unc most are 2 n 3 members per team they send 60 to 100 birds most weeks so big birdage
In London most lads have small gardens n small set ups sending between 12 n 24 birds a race so birdage is way lower,
So the birdage thing is a con in my opinion until you study results.
Yes I definitely agree with that mate, it can be a false economy and very frustrating seeing hard earned cash go down the pan week after week, I guess it's all a balancing act between what we want to achieve and how much we can justify spending to achieve it.
As you say also, the numbers game is a complete con, the other thing is how many birds are some of these top fliers actually breeding and losing each year to get the few that win the big prizes.
One of the big fliers down here, for whom pigeons are also a buisness will send in various clubs each week, often in the same race. There is no arguing that he does have some outstanding pigeons from some of the top lofts in Europe, not only does his team score regularly for him but many of our club and federation members are also winning with his birds. However unless you are prepared to pay serious money you aren't getting direct youngsters from his stock birds or best racers.
The other thing with him and many other top fliers, and I'm not knocking them for this as winning is their only goal, but they are only sending to races which they are likely to win, if the conditions are against them then they aren't sending.
The sad thing with that attitude though is that if we all took that stance then club and federation racing would almost certainly be finished and this would become a sport just for the elite.