Re: this says it

During over 75 years of involement in the sport there has been numerous theories put forward regrading every aspect.

Red feet, Eyes, colouration, positon in the head, Vent, long, short, tight, loose, Wing, too many to mention, Throat, Back, Tail, Wing, Muscle, Short arm, Long arm, etc; etc;

The truth is that if you look at the pigeons over the years that have actually been consitent performers you will find that there are numerous different pigeons that defy any theory, just as many if not more, that fall do not fall into any theory catorgory.

I  have always looked at it in the manner of two cars, you can have the most expensive car which on the outside looks good etc; and an old banger that on the outside looks rough, but it is what is under the bonnet that counts and it is impossible to tell from the outside.

Regards.

hi misty, welcome to the forum, nice to see you posting...............

yes, i think a lot of theories, are just that....a theory. i rekon there will be fanciers who do a certain thing, or notice the wing is a certain width/length , and if the bird wins they will assumed its because of this, there are many good winning pigeons that look like streeters, but race very well.....whereas some look very nice that never win a thing.

David wrote:

hi misty, welcome to the forum, nice to see you posting...............

yes, i think a lot of theories, are just that....a theory.  i rekon there will be fanciers who do a certain thing, or notice the wing is a certain width/length , and if the bird wins they will assumed its because of this, there are many good winning pigeons that look like streeters, but race very well.....whereas some look very nice that never win a thing.

agree misty pal, welcome. yer right david, a pigeon wins and it's all attributed to it's white toe nails violet eye etc. every bird gets its chance here and will never change that, lots will disagree, opinions are personal and on we go

welcome to the forum misty...I agree with your point of view that whats on the inside far outweighs whats on the outside ,everything gets a chance here although I do have pet hates in pigeons like the tail sticking up in ybs and weak backs atb

Your right Misty, a willingness to come home is just as important as body type.
If Arnold Schwarzenegger was jogging home to an empty house, and I live next door to him and you tell me there’s a long legged blond busty Scandinavian woman waiting to give me a massage, I bet I would beat him home.
I helped my Grandad race his youngbirds one season when I was a kid, we had a pigeon that was really long and gangly with a big deep keel that felt really sharp, and it felt like it had hardly any breast muscles, we called it razor because it’s keel was so sharp, it was the best young bird that season and I missed my bus to my Grsndads one week and got there late to find it sitting on the loft, my Grandad couldn’t clock him as he was only partially sighted, it was 2nd Fed and I don’t know how long it had been there.
If I was picking birds by body type, that bird would have been the last one I would have picked.

so is it the basket thats the judge...? or is it down to the fancier and his/her management...? can a crap fancier ruin a good bird...?

Boosey wrote:

Your right Misty, a willingness to come home is just as important as body type.
If Arnold Schwarzenegger was jogging home to an empty house, and I live next door to him and you tell me there’s a long legged blond busty Scandinavian woman waiting to give me a massage, I bet I would beat him home.
I helped my Grandad race his youngbirds one season when I was a kid, we had a pigeon that was really long and gangly with a big deep keel that felt really sharp, and it felt like it had hardly any breast muscles, we called it razor because it’s keel was so sharp, it was the best young bird that season and I missed my bus to my Grsndads one week and got there late to find it sitting on the loft, my Grandad couldn’t clock him as he was only partially sighted, it was 2nd Fed and I don’t know how long it had been there.
If I was picking birds by body type, that bird would have been the last one I would have picked.

what a great yarn just goes to show you cant tell by its cover

David wrote:

so is it the basket thats the judge...?  or is it down to the fancier and his/her management...?  can a crap fancier ruin a good bird...?

David. The basket is usually the judge. Crap fanciers usually do not have good birds. Guess why they are crap.
Again a depends question. What distance does a fancier want them to race? Note race not fly. Quite a surge of interest in the UK and Ireland to compete in Barcelona from what I read. Paul Swindell has brought in new birds for the purpose. From Barcelona winners or have placed well. Same as Mike Ganus did. All SA million dollar performers. Paid off for him. Of course Barcelona birds have to cross the English channel  then more water over to Ireland. Birds here in Canada, local clubs also, fly over lakes when they have to. 30 or 40 miles at times according to transmitters they carried last year. Channel should not be a problem, weather permitting. I wish the UK Barcelona fliers the best of luck. It can be done!!!!. Bird clocked in Scotland from that race few years ago.

MISTY wrote:

During over 75 years of involement in the sport there has been numerous theories put forward regrading every aspect.

Red feet, Eyes, colouration, positon in the head, Vent, long, short, tight, loose, Wing, too many to mention, Throat, Back, Tail, Wing, Muscle, Short arm, Long arm, etc; etc;

The truth is that if you look at the pigeons over the years that have actually been consitent performers you will find that there are numerous different pigeons that defy any theory, just as many if not more, that fall do not fall into any theory catorgory.

I  have always looked at it in the manner of two cars, you can have the most expensive car which on the outside looks good etc; and an old banger that on the outside looks rough, but it is what is under the bonnet that counts and it is impossible to tell from the outside.

Regards.

Wise words Misty for your 2nd post etc . Long may your wisdom here continue . Certain people in our sport at times become utterly obsessed with a certain type theory as such from my perspective. Loose focus on the overall picture to their detriment sadly in many cases I would suggest. The spin doctor types also which there are many as you would well know are not big on promoting the kiss type of theory as it would diminish their ego status, much of the time as such .
*****

Sure i read years ago red feet...the real bright red shiney ones was due to lactic acid...
Explains why years ago when as kids we always got south birds in that were flown out almost all had bright shiney feet.
Dont seem to see it as much now maybe because of a higher
Carb diet...

what about warm feet fieldy...are they a sign of good health, or is it the bird simply just has warm feet...?

I like them to have warm feet but dont know if it really matters..
What does is..eye shimmering and handling damp along the breast
That when its at its best..fact.

whats eye shimmering...?

Looks like its shacking rattling in its head...once you notice it you dont forget...
Doesnt mean it will win might be a parcle of s...e but its in the best it
Can get.

you lost me fieldy............

youl know it when you see it...iv no more discriptive words left

Shimmering. Bright shiny eye. Glistening. Rattling in the head. Full of confidence, piss and vinegar. Assume so anyway.

Do you mix the piss and the vinegar Hal, and what’s the percentage of piss to vinegar.