Up North Combine
members and making the sport more accessible
to all people. Also, we will need to try to
amalgamate smaller clubs to keep the costs
down to a minimum.
My ambition for the next five years is enjoy
my pigeons and maintain an active pigeon club
in the area, continuing to meet new friends in the
sport.
Pigeon racing is a fascinating sport, you gain
satisfaction when your pigeons perform well,
and it makes you more determined to improve
when they don’t race very well. There is always
something to learn.
The racing season starts in April with
seventeen races for old birds, five of these are
from France, with the longest being Bourges
(560 miles). There are nine races for young birds
starting at 70 miles to 250 miles.
The breeding programme starts in January
or February depending on the fancier. Some
fanciers breed in December, then they have
lights in the loft to basically extend the day so
they go to nest more easily.
The feeding systems also change with
different times of the year; after racing has
finished moulting mixtures are fed to help the
birds renew their feathers, during breeding a
more protein based mixture is fed so youngster
can grow healthy and during racing a sport
mixture is fed which has a more carbohydrate
bias.
Pigeon racing is a 365 day sport which
has many highs and lows and there is always
something new to learn.
Article provided by John Luke
“Bamfords Top Flight, leading UK manufacturers of
Racing Pigeon foods, are pleased to support this Up
North Combine feature.
Their range of high performance pigeon mixtures and
natural health products can be found in most good corn
stores throughout the North East, with Knox Wilkin,
Wheatley Hill Corn Stores and Cleveland Country Store
being the main distributors.
Bamfords Top Flight has also sponsored the Queens Cup
and Bourges race over a number of years, and actively
supports the annual NEHU Futurity Race.
We look forward to meeting the many fanciers who attend
the South Shields NEHU show in November.”
Alan Bamford
www.sportip.biz
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