Article by Randy Engelbrecht PRO – Federated Board of Homing Unions
Article Published 24 January 2010



Racing into the future!!!!


Greetings all! I sincerely hope everybody had a peaceful and prosperous festive season.

It is the year 2010 and I guess the major topic on most people’s lips is the Soccer World Cup in our country come June. However, lest we forget, we also have a new and exiting pigeon racing season to look forward to in the Federated Board when many of this year’s babies will be expected to perform little miracles for us in some of the races. Furthermore, the race programme has taken on a new format with a few double races planned on the same weekend. (eg. Kroonstad Friday, Hanover Saturday)

I would like to believe that just about every fancier have had a very successful breeding season and that the moult will also go well. But, before we get carried away too soon, remember there is much to be done in order to get our feathered friends race ready for the season. Most importantly, immunisation is paramount. Although I am no expert, I know that pigeons cannot fulfil their proper potential without having been inoculated against paramyxo, selmonella, pox and various other deceases prior to the start of racing. Many fanciers might not know this, but it is a SANPO requirement that all racing pigeons should be vaccinated, particularly against paramyxo and pox and that a signed register be kept by club officials as proof of this. (Constitution - Section D 3.9)

For many years we have heard fanciers complaining that immediately after the first race their exceptionally healthy young birds became ill after mixing with everybody else’s pigeons in the panniers. Accusations are rife and particular fanciers are singled out for having sent “sick” birds to the race when our birds start to lose form soon after the start of the season. Those complaining are vilified for acting like vets or know-it-alls and are often accused of trying to undermine the “smaller” fancier who might not even have known about this. As the season progresses the situation becomes even worse and this should be all the more reason that without exception, we should all take collective responsibility for the health of our pigeons so as to be sure of having a fairly successful season.

Remember, it is a sport involving live animals and in order to sustain our beloved sport we do not only have a responsibility to keep our pigeons alive, but also in a very healthy state. May 2010 bring us all great joy with our pigeons.



Article by Randy Engelbrecht PRO – Federated Board of Homing Unions