International Racing Pigeon Issue nr 2 . May 2018 | Page 42

By Michael Feeney

The following are a series of articles that I have been doing over the past 2 years and will continue to do until such time as I am successful at that which I am trying to achieve. This particular article is simply and introduction to myself and my aim. It was written around November 2014 and the series continues to its present date. These following articles from this will be printed in due course. I hope you all enjoy the refresh and the articles to follow.

Happy reading.

Barcelona and what it ultimately means is a long story for most. Because of my age, 37, it is not that long for me. I grew up around pigeons and am the only 1 of 5 siblings with an interest in in our feathered athletes.

International Racing Pigeon

I say athletes because that is exactly what they are, to describe them as any other is foolhardy considering the feats they accomplish. When I bought my own house 7 years ago set about trying to compete in sprint racing. Having grown up with pigeons I knew how to condition and look after them in the right fashion but to compete in sprint racing I had no real clue. I grew up with my dad in pigeons and his aim has always been racing from the U.K. and France to Ireland with no real aim at sprint racing. He really only viewed this as training and experience especially for young bird racing. So with house bought and loft up birds in and my first 7 youngsters flying out a start was made for the second race of the program in the year 2007. The birds were well fed and well-schooled and in my first solo race as an independent I achieved my first and only position to date that was 7th in the club race. What a buzz. Time moves on a couple of years and a change in club to a more local club to my home and competition continues with disastrous results. A great team of yearlings trained well, exercising well around home well following a specific regime of 1 ½oz food each a day. I thought wow these birds are in great nick…. Disaster…. I sent 20 cocks to the first race of 80 miles and lost 15 I was devastated. If only one or 2 birds were lost I would say it was the birds but with this many lost I had to take responsibility for my first real difficult lesson. Yes the birds were flying well and looking great but in hindsight, for the work and exercise I had them doing they were simply not fed enough. Revert at this point to what I knew in feeding and caring for our athletes and not following a system. Fuel for the work they are doing and access to the sky for free ranging.

Again another couple of years and a change in personal circumstance leading to a reduction of birds and a cease in racing which is where I am today. With most of the birds gone last year in the middle of June and just 6 left in the loft I did a lot of thinking on what I would like to do and how my pigeon story should continue

MY BARCELONA DREAM - PART 1