Articles > The Ethics of Pigeon Racing

The Ethics of Pigeon Racing

When we become involved in pigeon racing we must take on certain responsibilities. First, we must always help new-starters become established and we must help one another. Second, we must promote the sport and educate the general public on the aspects of pigeon racing and the history of the racing pigeon. Third, we must strictly follow the rules of our unions on the reporting of strays and following up on reports. Fourth, we must keep our sport honourable and refrain from unfair practices, such as the use of illegal substances with our birds and clock manipulation. If we all accept these responsibilities the sport will grow and gain respect.

New starters can be bewildered by the complexities of breeding, racing systems, feeding, etc., but a little guidance from club members can greatly assist them. Each club should have a few spare clocks on hand for use by the beginners until they can obtain their own. There is a lot of information available on the Internet for printing out, and a club should have a selection of this information for distribution to new members who would like it. Club seminars and loft visits are helpful to give hands-on experience to the tyros. We all have surplus stock available from time to time and this could be made available. I don't mean culls, I mean good quality stock.

An example of helping one another happened to me a few months ago. I had to spend some time in hospital over New Year and was not able to drive the 200 miles to the Capital City Club annual show. I wanted to participate but I phoned Bob Paulsen the president of the club and expressed my regrets. A few days later I had a phone call from Doug Chadwick one of our club members. Doug offered to take my birds down to the show and care for them. This arrangement was much appreciated.

During the racing season I get my neighbours and friends involved. They come over and watch the birds return from the races and we have little parties. A little innocent betting takes place and for the last race we run an auction. This has created a lot of interest and I am already being asked when the races start again.

I write a column (Birds:Wild & Domestic) for the local newspaper, and I usually have something to say about how the pigeons are doing. This website is another way in which I can promote the sport.

Sometimes I receive phone calls from people who have encountered a stray pigeon or may have found a dead or injured bird. I mention the banding (ringing) system in my column so they know it's important to report the birds. I always make a great effort to locate the owner and notify them. I prefer to put the finder of the bird in direct contact with the owner. Once, the finder of a bird received this reply from the owner, "It couldn't make its own way home. It can't be much good, so why don't you kill it." The finder of the bird, a young person, was very distressed. In my opinion, the fancier who took that attitude does not belong in our sport!

One of my main objectives is establishing a family of birds that I know have competed fairly and deserve their rewards. How can that be achieved by the use of unfair practices? I suppose it is well-known that unfair methods are most used when large sums of money are involved. My club and combine just report the results and there are no great monetary prizes. I like it that way.

Interested in racing pigeons, pigeon racing, homing pigeons, raising pigeons, facts about pigeons, carrier pigeons, passenger pigeons, lost birds, lost pigeons, pigeon breeding, pigeon breeds, pigeon lofts, rolling pigeons, fantail pigeons, tumbler pigeons, pigeon facts, pigeon breeders, pigeon coops, pigeons for sale?

Email me at laurholb@telus.net.