Bunch Quitters And Free Thinkers
Feathered World September 2003
Cattle drovers would not tolerate awkward specimens which had the habit of
trying to leave the herd on long drives. Such nuisances as these were killed
and used as meat for the drovers or given to hostile Indians in return for
free passage over their territory. I compare these nuisances to what I call
kit pigeons' and I would never tolerate them for very long the Indians would
be welcome to them.
Tipplers, Rollers and the various forms of Flying Tumblers, surely must be
close kit pigeons, which fly in an intensely gregarious pack. Otherwise we
may develop a split Kit, with individuals scattered all over the air space.
To my way of thinking, this is not satisfactory, it is painful to behold.
From a very early age pigeons should be trained to fly as a compact kit.
This is easy because young pigeons are intensely gregarious Any bunch
quitters or free thinkers should be removed without delay, before the fault
becomes transmitted to others.
Ideally a kit of high flyers, no matter whether three or 53 should quickly
assemble after liberation for exercise and then stick together and drop
together after each exercise. I always found that a regular routine and
exercising on every possible day, is conducive to this excellent form of
order.
Such gregariously established kits do not like strange pigeons which try to
join them in flight. To avoid them they rise to a greater altitude and
range. I also find that such pigeons which are trained on these lines, will
notice a Falcon or a Hawk, even at distance, and take evasive action by
increasing altitude and range.
Nothing attracts attacks by predators more than a straggler or a bunch
quitter.
Tipplers usually break kit formation briefly when ready to drop, after a
marathon fly. This is a peculiarity, but if the split extends or becomes too
long, it often results in individuals being out all night on some buildings
or even trees probably lost forever. However, to get marathon times from
Tipplers over flying is not advised. In Britain, contest Tipplers are kept
as prisoners and aviary pigeons for about six months of each year. The
Rollers and Tumblers are not restricted, anyway they are not required to fly
marathon times.
With racing pigeons, I firmly believe that on liberation for a race, they
should stick together for much of the journey back home. Only when certain
polished individuals gain confidence, should they forge ahead to win the
race. It would be a very reckless racing man who would risk a solo flight
from a longish distance.
The biggest Sheffield racing club has a lot of members located on one site,
surely a great advantage. However, I write about high flyers and I reckon
that close kitting and gregarious character is essential. Surely we want to
be looking 'at them' and not looking 'for them'.