News from The Igloo

The idea then is to produce a wide spectrum of interesting topics that will see you come back. I am also looking forward to any suggestions or stories you have kept quite about but now find the time and are willing to share with us just E-Mail me. The main subject I hear spoken about at the moment is the rise in corn prices. Maybe it would be well worth copying some of the northeast practices, that is groups of fanciers getting together, or clubs, federation's bulk buying at a discount price. I feel sure some of these corn companies would be more then interested. I, myself, have 36 wintered adult birds to feed and have been slowly building up my corn store during the winter months. No doubt the young bird team will add more to the corn bill. I am looking to house twenty to twenty four youngsters, all will be put on the darkness method, and this number is just about right for me to handle, though I must also be very selective.

In The Past

A new years dream took me delving back into the past and while "Big Ben" tolled its gongs to introduce 2008 and I drank my final glass of wine to toast in the New Year my memories sent me travelling across the English Channel into France and back in time. Here I found myself close to the borders of Belgium on the out skirts of Valenicennes, a town just South East of Lille. I was going to meet up with a successful fancier of long standing, who I had heard so much about, his name Mon. Arthur Lefebvre who was involved in the founding of clubs in the district of Charleroi, Belgium. It was an autumn morning at the turn of the twentieth century and over a coffee I enjoyed listening to Arthur telling me how he feeds the moult which starts as soon as his racing finishes at the end of August. The birds had already been parted and once racing ends the birds are fed two meals a day, the first is given in the morning being basically a feed consisting of Oil Seeds, 50% Colza (Rape seed), 20% Hemp, and 10% Linseed. The oil seeds are given at a rate of fifteen grams a bird along with baked bread which is then sprinkled with Cod Liver Oil before being put in the oven to dry. The bread is then cut up into cubes roughly the size of a medium Bean and roughly eight cubes are given to each bird. The evening meal consisted of 25% Beans, 23% Pea's, 25% Wheat and 25% Maize, with 2% of Sunflower seed, again fed at a rate of 15 grams (1/2 ounce) a bird. During the week green food is given to the birds, while twice a week an infusion of Plantain is given as a blood purifier which is made up of fifty grams (two ounces) of Plantain to two litres of water with a tablespoonful of Linseed added. This is then brought to the boil with a pinch of Salt added before being simmered for fifteen minutes and then allowed to cool. Arthur used this method to bring his team into condition for pairing. The next thing I knew was Joy shaking me to tell me she was going to bed, as it was 2am. There were many more questions I would had liked to have asked Arthur, which was not to be, though I did managed to scribble the above down. Readers do not forget this was all happening around 1920 and Mon. Arthur Lefebvre was a well-respected fancier in Belgium as well as France.

Closure

In the compound the hens are getting regular exercise and I am gradually selecting the hens which I believe will become my main race team. The cock birds are now locked in their nest boxes when they are in the loft and not out at exercise. All of them are settled to their nest boxes and it is a joy to watch them when exercising and it is just like old times. Both sexes are just fed on 60% Barley, 20% Breeding mixture, 18% Wheat with 2% Linseed. All these cock birds are fed and watered in their nest boxes with no perches elsewhere in the loft as I wish the birds to become territorially possessive of their own nest boxes. The cock birds are just celibate now, I have no wish to pair at the moment as I am looking at the March Full Moon which occurs on the twenty-first. I intend to let these birds rear a single youngster and if all goes to plan some eggs will be under laid. Barking Social secretary Micky Pawsey popped in to give me my five "Derby" rings plus one free ring for the Breeder/Buyer race; here a youngster must be penned in the sales room on the 6th of April carrying that breeder buyer ring. (If you wish to know more contact Dave Ling on 0208 591 9869 or give Micky Pawsey a ring on 0208 592 5740.) The Derby and Breeder/Buyer race will be flown from the LNRC Y/B race from Witton Castle on the 20th of September and Mick was saying there is going to be some good money to be won, so if you are interested don't leave it to late. This being my first column and venture on this site I welcome all those that log on and I just hope you enjoyed the contents and feedbacks would be welcomed. Coming to a close, I have heard of two recent death's among our local fraternity the first being Stewart Elvin of Chelmsford, Stewart used to pop into my home when finishing work a few years back and over a cuppa we use to enjoy a good chat especially about the Larkin Busschearts that flew so well for Stewart. One small tip he gave me, which I now can reveal, and yes it did help a lot, was bathing your widowers on basketing day in luke warm water around 10am. This I found was one of the best calmers for your widowhood cock birds especially yearling's. Sadly Stewart has gone to that big loft in the sky and he will be sadly missed among the local pigeon fraternity, here I send belated condolences to his wife Betty and family, "R I P" Stewart. Closer to home I have heard of the death of Ron Woods of the Grove and Pride of Romford club, I knew Ron from "P O R" a few years back and also his son David who was a big help in the club, today he is an active fancier and flew in partnership with his father. All local fanciers send their condolences to David and family on this very sad occasion. In the next issue we will enjoy more topics and hatchings should be taking place in the breeding pen.

Bernie Bennett