Showmanship Help

[Birdmom4ever]

That was one of the things I enjoyed most about the show--meeting other pigeon people. I was disappointed there weren't more women who are into pigeons, but there were a few. The other fun thing was seeing so many breeds that I'd previously seen only in photos. It was pigeon heaven! The hard part was trying not to let all those rough, tough pigeon guys who've raised pigeons for 20 years and more see me talking to my "babies" by name. That and having to leave my spoiled darlings in little cages in a strange place for the whole weekend.

But it was fun and I'm looking forward to it this year. I was really nervous last year, too, but I hope I'll be a little calmer this year.

[upcd]

Tend to be a little easier to place in, because less pigeon people show at them. It is harder to place at all pigeons shows, there is more competetion. A fair is a good place to learn with your birds and gain experince. A pigeon show is a more exstensive and sometimes individual training session. What do you think?

[Doves1111]

I think I need and can use the help from wherever or whatever direction I can get it in...

Dawn

[TerriB]

Originally Posted by Birdmom4ever

...having to leave my spoiled darlings in little cages in a strange place for the whole weekend...

Yeah, that would stress me! When we go to the fair, I'm always reminding people to NOT BUG THE BIRDS!!! I really enjoy looking at all the beautifully presented pigeons. It's neat how many of them will relax when you stoop down and talk to them. There must be more "pets" out there than folks admit to!

[Pigeonpal2002]

Originally Posted by Birdmom4ever

That was one of the things I enjoyed most about the show--meeting other pigeon people. I was disappointed there weren't more women who are into pigeons, but there were a few.

Hi Cathy,

LOL @ your comments Yes, it does seem that the pigeon community is mostly dominated by men. However, our own forum here seems to say otherwise and we have many women fanciers and lovers of pigeons here

I think it's just great that more women and younger people are becoming interested in pigeons and showing us all that it's not just a "man's" sport or hobby

[Birdmom4ever]

Yes, we certainly have lots of female pigeon lovers on this forum. Obviously many women love pigeons and rescue them and/or keep them as pets. I think the obstacle for many women in terms of showing is what you have to do to be competitive. In order to raise top quality show birds you have to be willing to cull, and even if that means non-lethal selling or giving away of "substandard" pigeons, it's difficult for us nurturing types for whom each bird is an individual with a name and personality. I'm not criticizing people who raise birds to show; I'm just saying I think it goes against the grain for many of us.

I stopped by our county fair this summer and was disappointed to find that no one had entered any pigeons. I'd be happy to enter some of mine yext year, but as nearly as I can tell you can only enter if you're a young person involved in 4-H or the FFA. They had poultry this year but no pigeons.

[pigeonmama]

Birdmom,
I started showing last year, and enjoyed it so much. It's fun, it's exciting, it's a chance to learn so much. Now, I don't cull my birds, other than by not letting my non-show quality birds reproduce, or breed with my show birds. If I get eggs from non-show quality, I replace them with fakes. Also, I only show at one or two day long shows, due to stress on my birds (and me). I also patrol rows of cages. Drives me crazy to see people tease/torment caged birds, and I'm not shy about telling people to leave the birds alone.
Now, my son raises chickens and a few turkeys. We do not eat these eggs. I can't imagine eating a fertile egg. I hard boil them and feed them back to the birds. We also don't eat our chickens. How the heck do you eat someone who has a name and comes running when called.
Daryl

[upcd]

Don't be afraid to enter your birds at the fair. Just call the fair grounds and ask them to mail you the entry forms. Fill it out and mail it back and get our birds ready to go. I entered as an adult at the fairs here in So. Cal. If you have the time you can do a circiut or a whole lot of county fairs. It is good training. I don't like to cull birds. I get to personal. Selling or giving away makes me feel better. I also use Vet. assisted injections for fatility injuried or diseased birds. The Humane Soceity offers free E & D for sick or injuried pets.

[re lee]

When you enter the point Of breeding raiseing showing and flying pigeons. YOU will come to the point of having to let go of some birds. To stay competive. There is most often someone that will be glad to get them. A person that raises and particapates in flying or showing. Will perhaps raise thousands of pigeons over the years . That number alone says. We have to manage a loft keeping the numbers down And to go forward. Birds have to be gone through. Keeping the best for a sound program. And even the best today will have to go some day. Because you then have better. A small number of birds as pets. Yes a person keeps them. But they are pets. Raiseing pigeons for show or to fly becomes a art. And a very enjoyable hobby. But a pet bird means perhaps even more then a show champion. So both aspects as pets or as progressive bred birds. Having them means the same.

[Birdmom4ever]

I'm afraid I'm too sentimental to ever be really good at raising show pigeons. But I admire those who are good at it.

[re lee]

As you raise and breed the birds. You will notice your goal. And its fun to put the minds eye to work trying to come up with that show type bird. Trying for that mating that clicks and you see the end results as the birds grow. Each year has a challenge. But its a person thing. What you want to do with the birds. Never being able to reach that perfect 100 point bird. And I doupt we will ever see one. But the birds that come close even a 60 point bird looks great. So show birds will allways be a personal challenge. And a hobby that never dies

[fantailgirl]

Woot, back! I've had one heck of a time getting situated with college!
My birds all look like crap now, and my only pair of birds that don't have feathers falling out have an egg (I'm so happy YEA!!!)
So I'm going to start showing next year!
My fantails' tails are starting to grow back out again and looking nice. I'm oving them into a larger breeding pen in a few weeks, so I can let them have some late hatches if they want to.
The runts and swifts are bulking up and they're new feathers coming in look great.
I'll bring them to a boil next year, and we'll see what they heat up!

To Pigeonmama:
It's harder for some people than others. I now don't have feelings for our beef steers when they are shipped in, I've been run over enough times. But when it comes to the rabbits, I can't stand being there or looking at them when they are put down, and I feel like crying when I sell them.

[re lee]

It gets mixed up when a person has several things going at once. Just yesterday. A person that had start raiseing fantails at the end of last year. With college and now work She has to little time to work with the fantails. So needed to give them up. They had 17 birds. I picked them up yesterday evening. I kept 4 And found homes for the other 13. With 2 different people. Birds now will start looking rough. as more of the moult kicks in. Then befor long the new feathers the birds look great agin. Show season is still a few months away. So birds still have time to clean up. And be showed. If a person wants to show. And has the time to do it.