April Newsletter 2006

Disclaimer: Any views or opinions of club members are solely those of the individual and do not necessarily represent those of

The All Flying Cropper Club

[email protected]

All Flying Cropper Club

Promoting the keeping and flying of any

Croppers

We live in uncertain times with the fear of a flying/show ban because of bird flu, thus affecting our sport but hope-fully common sense will prevail.

I wish you all a Happy sum-mers flying and breeding and I cant wait to hear about some of the results that come about from your trials.

Regards

Dennis Murray

President AFCC

Affiliated to NPA Feb 2005

Welcome to the April edition of the AFCC newsletter

Since the last newsletter the AFCC in January 2005 the club continues to grow . One of the aims of the club is to get more people flying the wide variety of fantastic croppers whatever the breed. In this we are suc-ceeding.

The clubs aim to create a network of contacts so birds can be sourced or swapped without incurring great costs when purchasing stock is well on the way with not only UK contacts being made but links with International friends.

I have already been to Hol-land once this year and brought back some wonder-ful specimens with the help of my great friend s Jack and Martin Van Duin. All the Dutch guys always make me feel very welcome and I thank each and everyone of them for their hospitality and comradeship.

Some of our members and friends are showmen, others keep racing pigeons and

some even keep bears (Arian Munster from Holland) . We have members from the SIS club in Holland, AICF and ASCC in the UK, to name a few.

By now , I assume everyone is well into the breeding season and trying out those weird and wonderful crosses. Good luck with the results.

Send me your pictures of the results and I'll get them on the website.

This year I am trying a few birds from different blends of cropper. I'm trying to make a tool kit of birds so that when and if someone starts the birds up near me I will have a doo for every scenario to catch their birds.

I have asked Mick McGinley to complete an article on the Scottish version of flying Croppers. This along with a glossary of terms should make good reading Watch out in future issues.

Committee Year 2006

Dennis Murray

President/Treasurer [email protected]

Danny Finnegan

Publicity Officer.. [email protected]

Phil Walsal

Deputy Treasurer.

07976 751 273 Julie Murray

Secretary [email protected]

Anthony Kellers Marketing / International Liaison. [email protected]

Flying Marchys. 15, 16& 17

SIS AGM

Other matters

Politics

Suggestions

Members letters

Inside this issue:

Welcome by Dennis Murray, Committee list

1

Dr Danny Finnigan health tips,

2& 3

Holland versus Glasgow Similar but different. Guess who? Pen ideas? Articles wanted.

4&5

Focus on Spanish breeds 6&7

Word search 8

Quiz answers. Spanish breeds Marcel Fehling writes

9& 10, 11

Moroncello by Graeme Boyd. Frequently asked ques-tions.

12&13, 14

All Flying Cropper Club Affiliated to the National pigeon Association

February 2005

Paramyxovirus

infectio

COMMONLY KNOWN AS

“THE NODS”

Central nervous disorders in pigeons with paramyxovirosis: Torsion of the head

DR DANNY FINNIGAN HEALTH TIPS

PARAMYXOVIRUS INFECTION

wards. Most pigeons die.

Recognition of the disease: The virus can be demonstrated in specially equipped laborato-ries by virological examination of organ samples (brain, kid-neys) from dead pigeons. Anti-body demonstration is per-formed by serological exami-nation of blood samples taken from affected pigeons not ear-lier than 2 weeks after infec-tion.

Similar conditions: Salmonellosis.

Treatment: As with other viral diseases, there is no effective treatment for affected pigeons.

Paramyxovirus infection

Paramyxovirus infection occurs in pigeons as an acute dis-ease, taking an epidemic course.

Pathogen: The paramyxovirus is related to the Newcastle disease pathogen, but not identical. The virus is highly pathogenic for pigeons, but not for other domestic bird species

.Course of the disease: Within just a few days of infec-tion, both visibly and latently affected birds shed the virus in secretions from the conjunc-tiva, nose and throat, as well as in the faeces. The incuba-

tion period ranges from 3 to 21 days. Up to 30% of affected pigeons may recover spon-taneously after around 4 weeks of illness.

Symptoms of the disease: The initial signs of paramyxovi-rosis are increased water in-take combined with reduced feed consumption, emaciation and diarrhoea-like faeces due to a pathogenic increase in fluid excretion (= polyuria: puddles containing floating particles of faeces are formed in the loft). This is typically followed by uni- or bilateral paralysis of the legs, timidity, torsion of the neck, twisting movements of the body, over-turning and walking back-

vaccine protection is acquired. Administration of livimun® and multivitamin EB12 is recommended to boost the birds' natural resistance.

Prevention: Only active immunisation (see annual prevention plan: para-myxovirus vaccination plan) protects the pigeons, which then develop a stable immunity within 3-4 weeks.

If infection is suspected in a flock, emergency vaccination can be carried out in all pi-geons that appear healthy in order to prevent the infection spreading (see annual preven-tion plan: paramyxovirus vacci-nation plan, starting on day 4 = vaccination day).

Visibly affected birds should be excluded from emergency vaccination and removed from the flock, since by shedding the virus they put the remain-der of the flock at risk until

PARAMYXOVIRUS INFECTION

Faeces in paramyxovirosis: Formed faecal parti-cles in a water puddle with renal failure. In para-myxovirosis the thin faeces are caused not by a functional disorder of the intestine, but of the kidneys.


Paramyxovirus infection

“Paramyxovirus infection occurs in pigeons as an acute disease, taking an epidemic course.”

oocysts, the birds live in a kind of equilibrium with the para-sites, which also protects them against severe intestinal dis-ease.

The visible form of the disease with an acute course and se-vere generalised disturbance - true coccidiosis - occurs when still unprotected young pigeons become infected by ingesting large amounts of oocysts or when the immunity of older pigeons is reduced or broken down by stress factors.

Symptoms of the disease: Asymptomatic form: Infested birds appear healthy, albeit rather less lively. The droppings are sometimes rather soft.

Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is an intestinal disease that is widely distrib-uted among pigeons through-out the world. Coccidia inhabit the small intestine of nearly all pigeons.

Pathogen: Along with trichomonads, coc-cidia are the most commonly found protozoa in pigeons, occurring in the form of two eimeria species: E.labbeana and E.columbarum. Both spe-cies only infest pigeons. Coc-cidia form permanent stages (oocysts), which only become infective after maturing in the environment.

Course of disease: Following ingestion of the oo-cysts, their subsequent devel-opmental stages damage the intestinal wall. Within 4-7 days of infection, the pigeon starts to excrete oocysts again. There are two forms of coccidi-osis:

The asymptomatic (or subclini-cal) form occurs most fre-quently. After ingesting small quantities of oocysts for the first time, pigeons develop an immunity to infection due to stimulation of endogenous defence mechanisms, without visibly succumbing to the dis-ease. With this protection, which is reinforced by constant ingestion of low levels of

Acute course:

Visibly affected pigeons pro-duce malodorous, muco-aqueous, greenish and some-times bloody diarrhoea. They are listless, have puffed-up plumage and drink profusely, with reduced feed intake.

Recognition of the disease: Coccidial oocysts can be dem-onstrated by microscopic ex-amination of faecal samples (prepared according to the flotation method).

Asymptomatic form: Only a small quantity of oo-cysts is identified in the faeces (finding = +). Acute form: The contents of the gut reveal moderate (finding = ++) or severe (finding = +++) oocyst infestation.

Similar conditions: Salmonellosis, E.coli infection, worm infestation.

Pulpy mucoid faeces at the start of an intestinal disorder caused by bacteria or parasite infesta-

Treatment: Asymptomatic form: Pigeons suspected of infec-tion that show mild infestation are not treated, in order not to disturb the host-pathogen equilibrium. Acute form: Diseased pigeons are treated with chevi-kok. Treatment is supported by administration of multivitamin EB12 and the best possible diet

.Note: chevi-kok can be adminis-tered during the moult.Development of feath-ers will not be disturbed.


Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis

“Commonly known as

cocci”

They say bigger is better and looking at these comparisons the Dutch seem to be streets ahead. Can you UK & Glasgow guys imagine the grief if you put a roof crate on your house like the Dutch …… And never mind the wife or partner…. The ASBO lot and the planning dept would surely come a knocking! Just shows you what pas-sion we have for these birds though eh!

Left: Dutch cabin

Right: Glasgow Cabin

HOLLAND VERSUS GLASGOW ...similar but oh so different!

Left: Dutch roof crate Right: Glasgow roof crate

Left: Dutch window box Right: Glasgow window box


On the downside the birds Toe nails grow quicker and need clipping. They can be delivered and are assembled in minutes. As you can see from the photo top left. They are quite effective. Solid plywood, lami-nated grills and doors. Order line incl overseas 01723 585858.

Mon-Sat 9am –5pm

Suggest an article? If you want it, we can ask someone in the know to write it. So get your requests into the committee

HOLLAND VERSUS GLASGOW ...similar but oh so different!

Described by someone as two doo's flying into the holers!

Guess who? Turn to page 9 For the answer.

I actually saw this bird flying at a guy called Joop,s house last year in Holland. The Doo is a mile ender and sticks out well. The hens were still attracted too the doo albeit a few sparrows gave chase when he flew. The col-ours represent a Dutch football team he sup-ports. This guy has the kind of birds you dream off. Top fliers and cracking looking. Our member-ship now have some from him that I pur-chased last year and imported into the UK.

Is it a Gaditano crossed with a Budgie? No! Is it a picture that’s been adapted on the PC? No! The Glasgow guys dye their hens a creamy

Yellow………. The Dutch dye their birds: Red and yellow and pink and green, or-ange and purple and blue……… Could be a good line for a nursery rhyme...oh it

already is , sorry!

We need your article for the next magazine.

It can be funny.

Fact, fiction, pictures, draw-ings, quiz….virtually anything!

Be an active part of your club and send an article or snip it too Dennis Murray now.

Go on you know you want too!!!!

Cheap and easy Pens Left: If your not handy at making pens. These can be bought from Boddy and Ridewood relatively cheaply. The birds stand on grills and the droppings fall through onto a sheet of newspaper. Easy to clean without dis-turbing the birds. Used by racing men for widowhood hens.


Below: One of Dimitri,s prize Moroncello cocks

Below: Squeakers im-ported into the UK for Graeme Boyd in 2004. Gaditano's

Moroncello,s, Laudino's Canaria,s

Morrillero,s

THE MARTENO, S

The Marteno is another Spanish breed that is present in Holland albeit they only have lim-ited stock. These birds fly with an upwards inverted tail in a Horseshoes shape, opposite to the March-enero.

FOCUS ON SPANISH BREEDS

THE MORONCELLO I have seen. There was a single cock bird at the Avicultura show and it was bouncing around all day long. This would be an excel-lent thieving bird to fly here in the UK or any-where else for that mat-ter. I imported some March-enero cross Mroncello which Phil Walsal is flying. They make a fabulous cross .

These Moroncello,s were bred by Dimitri De Jong, and I imported them into the UK for Graham Boyd in the hope of getting a hen to breed from, and bring some new blood into his stock. Moroncello,s, are excel-lent flyers and Dimitri told me that his cock birds dart into a pack of racing pigeons scattering them and then picks of one bird and tries to bring it back to his loft. These birds are probably one of the most active croppers from Spain that


THE FLYING LAUDINO, S

The flying Gaditaon's were flown by a guy called Peter who, s house had a beautiful view of a windmill and some lovely scenery. The gaddys he flew were excellent on the wing and were great at finishing into the dark boxes.

These guys love showing but like most of us they live for the flying.

Left: Morrillero

Right; Canaria

MOR- RILLERO

THE FLYING GADITANO'S

The one and only self yellow Laudino hen in Holland as far as we are aware. Bred by Jack Van Duin and flown competitively by Martin van Duin, this bird has won many prizes and looks absolutely beauti-ful up close.



C H I C K T G F G A D I T A N O Y F E H

C H S T R U E C A S H R F Z Z H M A R A

X K O J I I F L Y I N G C B V C J D O N

C G L O X J K B I G D O O G B B N A X T

Q K Z N D G T D D G H D J H U G C R P I

X A L I N M I L E E N D E R H C M K R N

T T R D W G G F E G L A S G O W D B I G

A M B U T C S D F G P J G T Q H N O C G

C F H A V O H K G Q B D K C C S L X E C

K C D L E C G S H S R A D H N T F A L V

L H V A B K S Y P C N W A F F I N G F H

E T V E O B D P Y A M S L G E F Z F E M

M C V Z M I J C H F N K N B S F P E N S

B N R B F R S T O K L I R D F F B M E W

V M E C T D O S L N P V S I P O U T E R

K C P O C K L E G P D S H H K X M T X E

C M P N C H R C A H Z S B F H X V R V N

U A O V C F F L G F S H O W J N B E V M

Q W R I X L C N A E D K M C B C M A V M

H V C M C V L V N N A M E S R O H D B L

1. BIG DOO

2. CROPPER

3. SPANISH

4. HOOD

5. DARK BOX

6. HORSEMAN

7. LAUDINO

8. PENS

9. GLASGOW

10. COCK BIRD

11. WAFFING

12. GADITANO

13. CLAPPING

14. TREAD

15. HANTING

16. TACKLE

17. POCKLE

18. STIFF

19. SHOW

20. FLYING

21. MILE ENDER

22. CHICK

23. POUTER

Many a doo flyer has exchanged a cross word so here's a word search for all of you instead.

Answers are on page 9

Answer from page five . Yes you guessed it! Jim Mullan showing his pair of Marchenero,s at a show in Holland.

The things people will do to promote the sport.

I reckon this one hits rock bottom! :-)

C H I C K T G F G A D I T A N O Y F E H

C H S T R U E C A S H R F Z Z H M A R A

X K O J I I F L Y I N G C B V C J D O N

C G L O X J K B I G D O O G B B N A X T

Q K Z N D G T D D G H D J H U G C R P I

X A L I N M I L E E N D E R H C M K R N

T T R D W G G F E G L A S G O W D B I G

A M B U T C S D F G P J G T Q H N O C G

C F H A V O H K G Q B D K C C S L X E C

K C D L E C G S H S R A D H N T F A L V

L H V A B K S Y P C N W A F F I N G F H

E T V E O B D P Y A M S L G E F Z F E M

M C V Z M I J C H F N K N B S F P E N S

B N R B F R S T O K L I R D F F B M E W

V M E C T D O S L N P V S I P O U T E R

K C P O C K L E G P D S H H K X M T X E

C M P N C H R C A H Z S B F H X V R V N

U A O V C F F L G F S H O W J N B E V M

Q W R I X L C N A E D K M C B C M A V M

H V C M C V L V N N A M E S R O H D B L

Well did you get them all?

Answers page

Club email address:

[email protected]


We have our own website: www.cropperclub.co.uk

Promoting the keeping and flying of any Croppers

Promoting the keeping and flying of any Croppers

CHART OF SPANISH BREEDS

Due to poor picture text specifying breeds was not available

AFCC Members in Holland Marcel Fehling

It’s nice to see that there are more countries where they keep Croppers for pouting. There are various ways to keep the Croppers but I’ll tell you something about my way. I discovered the Spanish croppers some ten years ago at the SIS club before that I only kept “tilduiven”or baastards. Now I only breed Laudino’s and got some baastards. I like them because of their manners and their fly abilities. The Laudino is a very good thief pouter but it takes a long time to select them for flying and for the show. I often loose some to the opponents so I breed some 12 – 14 youngsters per year. After that I select the pigeons for the way they look and to the Laudino standard. So from all the young-sters I breed, only a few will stay.

The only way to get a good and vital stock which also fly well is to select them very carefully.

I got some Laudino’s from Spain last year from a breeder which flies with his birds so the Standard of my stock is rising. It’s very difficult to find some good pigeons and they’ll cost a lot of money.

In Holland we’re not used to paying those kind of amounts.

The Laudino is also good for crosses with other races. Such as the Gaditano, Jiennense and other Spanish races and also baastards.

You’ll get some more various colours in the Laudino which some breeders like. For breeding I use racing pigeons as feeders but it’s also possible to let them breed by them-selves. I mostly have the original colours like chequered, black, red and blue and keep the baastards for the different colours. The first eggs are laid and will hatch in a few weeks. It’s always an exciting moment waiting to see what colours they will be.

I am glad to have this opportunity to tell the membership something about myself in this short story.

I hope you like the pictures of some of my flying stock.

Greetings to all the members,

Marcel Fehling Secretary S.I.S.

And member of AFCC

My loft below


El Buchòn Moroncelo

With some interest in this race among club members I have been asked to provide some in-formation about them and my experience with the breed. My interest in the Moroncelo started when I first saw them in the book “Palomas de Raza Buchonas Españolas”. I was in-trigued with these little pouters, unusual among the Spanish races, their vigour and stylish posture. I was interested in their colour, not unique within the Spanish races, as others have pied patterns, but unusual as a requirement in the standard. They are only really recognised in two patterns ‘Figura’ and ‘Blanco cola negra’ or ‘white with black tail’. Even in the pieds no particular pattern is specified, simply that the plumage should be interspersed with white, though a white bib and white ‘tips’ or ‘aliblanco’ is preferred, similar to the markings depicted in the earliest known image of the Horseman Pouter. The nature of these markings means that split or partial ‘bull’ eyes are common and whilst this trait would be penalised in most exhibition varieties, it is desireable in the Moroncelo, but they are not really an exhibi-tion breed, and comparatively untouched by the exhibition trend, another reason for my

interest.

I got my first pair in Holland in 97’ thanks to Huub Vermeulen who gave them to me. We bred a couple of youngsters from this pair before the hen stopped laying so of course we

were keen to get some more and thanks to Jim Mullan, who sourced another pair for us, we managed to develop the line we are currently working with. When I was invited to Jaen in

2000 by the Spanish Federation to make a presentation to Don Raphael Buch Brage of one of my drawings, I had the good fortune not only to meet with Señor Buch-Brage, but also to meet with Antonio Milan and Jose Angel Maestre Begines. Antonio was instrumental in

achieving recognition of the Palomo de Clase as a Spanish Race by the Federation and Jose Maestre flies Moroncelos in the village of Los Palacios y Villafranca near Seville. Both of

them kindly took the time to demonstrate the finer points of these races to me and I had the pleasure of watching Jose’s birds fly. This is when I really began to appreciate the Moron-

celo. Jose explained to me that there were many pigeon fliers in the village where he lives and that they flew many varieties and crosses in competition to capture ‘zuritos’ or ferals. Through time he observed that the most successful birds were often derived from a Moron-celo cross and as a result he chose to breed and fly only Moroncelos. His birds are superb

fliers and excellent thieves; I watched one of them nudging another bird in flight to guide it home. This is just one of the characteristics which make the Moroncelo stand out among all the Spanish Croppers. Some people describe them as flighty, I have found they are just as friendly as other pouters but they seem to prefer to keep a distance and seem reluctant to become too familiar. When they are out on the wing they don’t tend to light on buildings

other than their own loft or at a suitable vantage point so you will occasionally see them on the chimney pot or on the apex of a roof. The doos are never very aggressive towards the hens but extremely persistent and very active. They fly well, ranging over a good distance

and disappearing for some time, usually returning with a stray or a feral, bear in mind I don’t have any other fliers near me. Some of our birds are pictured here, I hope Dennis has

room to include them.

Obviously we were interested in crossing with

our own strain of flying birds, a blend of Horse-man and Glasgow flying stock, with good re-

sults, one black pied hen in particular is clever and a young doo from last year is showing prom-

ise.

Graeme Boyd


Message board

The message board feature on the club website has been amazingly popular.

There has been well over 2000 postings, and on a wide variety of subjects. These range from the heart wrenching raptors debate to explanations of terminology about flying

the doos.

Log on and be a part of it. Rember views may differ but our passion remains the same.

The more people use it the better it will be for us all.

I look forward to reading your postings.

Dennis Murray

Reasons to be proud quotations from the message board

Without doubt the AFCC is great for Croppers, even the show side of it

Anyone in there right mind that flys birds here, should become a member of the club

Frequently asked question: What is Holers?

Holers are the area where the bird can go to upon land-ing on its owners loft to lie with a mate.

It is a darkened area just inside the landing board

Which is similar to that of a Rabbit hutch. The bird lies in the darkened area with its mate, or to call to its mate. Some lofts have a holer on both sides of the entrance area (called a crate), and the bird can run from one side to the other trying to entice another bird down,. (called working the holers). They may also lie in the holer boo-ing the potential mate to come inside. (called lying solid) When a bird successfully temps a mate into the holer they will lay together calling and booing. Other well trained birds will lye in the holer, periodi-cally coming out to make sure the other bird is still there. If the other bird flies off (kicking or shifting) the bird in the holer should run out and fly after it, in an attempt to bring it back.

right: a set off holers under construction. Right top: As you can see the holer can be blocked by mesh, along with the outer opening to pair birds etc although this is sometimes also used to cheat (pockle).

In February 2006 I went to Holland once again for the SIS AGM. As always I took a few presents which this time included a 2 and a half foot tall Santa Claus for Jack Van Duins mum. It had a fibre optic beard and was very well received. As usual I caught the 10.40 ferry from the port and headed off. On the boat I met an interesting bunch of racing pigeon guys who were well worth chatting too as they have great contacts for medical supplies along with reasonably priced boxes etc. I have details if required. I presented the club with the AFCC flying trophy, as well as offering our thanks to their members for all the help they have given. I presented Ruben Freurberg with a set of Gaditano cufflinks, and also Jack and Martin Van Duin with limited edition paintings and statues of race horses. I spent 3 days in Holland and on the way out there was told that the Dutch authorities had banned any movement of birds because of the bird flu saga. I was gutted. I rang the Dutch and English au-thorities but they all stated that it was ok to buy bids, but I still had my doubts. In the end I bought and was gifted 58 birds. I was offered some really nice pure breeds but I was very scared that on my return the birds would be confiscated at the port despite the reassurances of my phone calls. Whilst there I saw some fantastic birds at the lofts of many fliers including Herman Warmehoven, Marcel Fehling, Dimitri De Jong and many more.

As usual I went out with all the guys and drank far too much. Boy did I suffer on the Sunday.

Below are pictures of some of the fabulous flying Moroncello,s and Flying Marcheneros that I saw. All the birds were brought back to the UK without any problems as my paperwork was all in order and I had the relevant health matters sorted. The birds were distributed to the membership and already I have had some amazing reports from people such as Red Buchannan, Howard Palmer, Phil Walsal etc. I had a fantastic weekend with some very good friends, and got to see some amazing birds being flown. I always come back from the Nederland's feeling a little bit sad as I always have a great time there and hate leaving.

Dennis Murray

MY RECENT TRIP TO THE NEDERLAND'S


Flying Marcheneros

SIS Annual General Meeting 2006

SIS winners, and members of the AFCC


Dennis Murray President AFCC presenting the AFCC flying trophy to the SIS President along with Dutch member Ruben Freurberg

Offering the thanks of the AFCC to the SIS

These pictures speak for themselves, quality birds, excellent fliers. They were really good on the wing.

Best wishes Our best wishes go out

to Ruben Freurberg who suffered a heart attack

recently. We wish him a speedy recovery from all the

membership

Best wishes

Go to Marcel and

Simone Fehling who are expecting there

2nd child in May.

Other matters

Suggestions

Politics

On line auction

Dave Frost has decided to donate a few birds for an auction. Could this be combined with the meeting up sug-gestion. Can we make this sugges-tion work. We will only get out of the club what we put in so get cracking with those ideas please.

Road Trip

A suggestion has been made for a get together of some of the membership. I am personally in favour but I need some expres-sions of interest before I can even try and make things happen. So if you fancy a road trip, to put names to faces etc, lets have some responses please.

Flying competition

A suggestion for a flying competition has been raised. I think this is another great idea but would only be workable with a lot of cooperation and good will.

Anyone lese interested? Let me know your ideas and views please.

of which they are not happy with or have died. This is news to me, however as I have distributed over 400 birds prior to and since the formation of the AFCC I dare say that it is possible albeit this seems an isolated case only reported after my involvement in the afore-mentioned matter. If anyone has received a free bird from me with which they are unhappy or that has died please contact me and I will replace it. This article ahs been posted as all members do not have email.

Dennis Murray

Having desperately tried not to get involved in any form of politics I unfortunately man-aged to do so over an article written by an unhappy flyer in the West Midlands regarding croppers purchased from a non club member. My involve-ment was purely representa-tive of the membership who had raised issues over similar matters and to ensure any links made to the AFCC were clarified. A suggestion was made that this was personal.


It's your magazine so get the articles to me ASAP. We all have knowledge and comments we could share so lets do it!

I assure you it was not. I have spoken to all persons involved and have replaced the birds which the fancier in the West Midlands says he lost, through kind donations from the mem-bership. He is more than happy and has agreed to leave the matter at that. Furthermore he has wished to join the AFCC membership. As a result of this matter It has been suggested by a mem-ber who is a friend of the fan-cier who the article was aimed at that I have supplied at least two people with birds, (other than the person making the suggestion)

Hi, I just thought I would put a few lines together as an open flyer of cropper type pigeons. this is only my second year in the breed so ive lots to learn. I don't fly my croppers thief style as most do but keep them for the pleasure they provide. My birds are kept very similar to racing pigeons, sputnik traps, v perches . My feeders are the Dutch type crosses witch I fly everyday in a kit. they are great to watch in the air. this year im breeding some pure breds, Laudino, Gaditano, Rafeno, and Granadino. If im lucky in breeding this year I intend to start flying the pure breeds. Many thanks to Dennis and all members of the club, Howard

hope this is of some use.-taken from-pigeons and the pigeon world nov 1959-50years in Scottish pouter fancy. by john d. Duncan- as it is over half a century since i first took an interest in the pouter fancy in Scotland, I trust that a few rambling recollections might be of interest to some,especialy of the older generation. my earliest memories are of my father keeping pouters, and from the time i learned to walk i seamed to be attracted to the birds. my brother, on the other hand, had no interest in them whatever. the pouter fancy in Scotland in Scotland in those days was a strong body, comprising of at least 40 members, and there was quite a few who kept a substantial number of birds. heading the list, i would say, was john Craig, of Kilmarnock, a massive man who was as big as his stock of pouters and who always headed his advertisements as the" pouter king". i have heard he once had 12 firsts at the palace, which was quite a feat as the opposition was strong. however he by no means had it all his own way. prominent among his contemporaries were such names as a.k marr, w. Lindsay, a.veitch, w.reid, p. Mackie and many others. sandy marr produced many wonderful birds and they were always turned out in tip-top form. he lived in a lonely spot some miles from ayr, and sometimes had difficulty in get-ting his birds to and from a show, but sandy could always surmount these difficulties. i once heard of him returning from a show carrying a basket in each hand, on reaching a certain point he discovered the road was impassable owing to floods. however, sandy had to get home that night, so he set off through the flood. he arrived safely all right, but alas, his precious cargo were all dead when the baskets were opened. Willie Lindsay and alec veitch i once heard described by a prominent fancier as the two most skilful breeders of pouters he had known. that statement may be open to question, but there is no doubt they both produced some fine specimens. Willie Reid, who outlived all of those i have men-tioned and who only died at the beginning of this year, was the man who held the pouter fancy together for the last twenty five years. as his memory is still fresh in our minds and as tributes were paid to him through your paper, i will content myself with saying that his death left a blank that can hardly be filled in present circumstances. one feature of the men i have mentioned was that, apart from john Craig, they all lived to a ripe old age. Alex marr lived to eighty- four, w.mackie eighty-seven, a.veitch eighty-six, p.mackie eighty-four and Willie Reid eighty-four. i once heard the longevity of pouter fanciers was that they had contented minds. surely a good inducement for anyone to enter the pouter fancy. well, the pouter fancy in Scotland has certainly undergone a great change since those golden days of fifty years or so ago, and although at present we are small in number, we have, in bert.macrae, our secre-tary, a man of personality and drive and if we all rally round and give him our support, i am sure there are still good times ahead for the pouter men of Scotland. vic.

hi Dennis

its Nigel Westbury

I got the two lots of birds from the Scottish lads. They are real good quality, I am more than happy with them. People like these are the sort of lads we need in the pigeon world. thanks alot mate talk to you soon all the best Nigel

Hello, Members from over the big pond, Dennis needed an article from us so I guess maybe it's my turn, so I will tell you about me and what's up, My name is Rich Walter I have had pigeons for nearly 40 years, After conversing with Will Brown and Mike Hughes, I thought it would be in-teresting to get into the Thief Pouter Horseman in particular, Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would become an epidemic as all I seem to do is fly the Doo's anymore, I have had reasonable success with my birds flying Glasgow style, and really enjoy it. We have had many replies for people looking for birds, and it takes alot to find Doo's for everyone but we are trying to keep the interest up, Whereas we can't ask the neighbour about what to do alot of m flying involves trial and error but. Vic Mc Donald has been alot of help as he calls about once a week, I really enjoy this organization and think it's great you guys can help us over here with what you may take for granted, So keep us informed and I will keep asking questions, Someday I hope to visit everyone but in the meantime if any of you ever make it to the states I sure hope you would let me know, Rich walter

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April Newsletter 2006

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