The reason why I fly a large kit, is because they are Tumblers, selectively
bred for their ability to perform acrobatics simultaneously as a compact
kit. To see such a large kit of pigeons of 50 plus presents a spectacular
display when they all cascade together.
When man first domesticated pigeons he did so for the entertainment value of
seeing them fly and them having the ability to return to the place where
they were released from. Up high in the sky such pigeons were absolutely
free like no other domestic livestock or indeed man himself, has ever been.
If a man cannot afford to keep his pigeons on a healthy diet he can either
cut his costs by using the cheapest grain or he can reduce his stock and use
better stuff. Here in Sheffield the cheapest grains are Barley, Wheat and
cracked maize all at roughly the same price. Out of these three, I declare
that Wheat is superior.
Throughout the time that I have kept pigeons, I have often come across loss
and learned to accept it. However, there are certain types of losses that I
can accept better than others.
When two pigeon eggs have been produced and incubated for four days I can
hold them against a strong light and perceive filaments and traces of
embryonic life if it exists.
I have mixed feelings about the high flying syndrome. Up there at 6,000 feet
or more the atmosphere may be extremely cold and may sap the energy of the
birds that reach such altitudes. Furthermore, at this kind of altitude, the
birds are extremely difficult to see and we could too easily be disqualified
because of inability to locate them.
It is on record that MR BRIAN WHITE, of SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND, flew a kit of
Tipplers in the old bird series and exceeded 20 hours. That kit was 1 cock
and 2 hens.
With young Tipplers, flown during their year of hatching, sex problems are
hardly ever a problem, but with adults, I'd reckon that the sexual maturity
is the greatest of all problems.
Some aspects of mass navigational instincts. Several species of birds
migrate to England from Africa, in order to breed and then return to Africa.
They do this instinctively and in a great mass.
When I came home out of the Air force (1946) I desperately needed to get my
hands on some Tipplers. A certain man of Darnall, Sheffield, kept the true
Macclesfield Tipplers - His name was Binnar Purseglove. A cantankerous blunt
Yorkshire man who sold me 2 pairs for breeding.
They were grey grizzles and heavy prints - beautiful birds.
In 1996 a certain Mr. Victor Sylvester wrote a very interesting article. He
described his method of pulling out unmoulted tail and wing feathers -a sort
of assisted moult. Now, at the time, I felt the need to ask for some
explanation. Why was it necessary? Surely a healthy pigeon would go through
its moult naturally.
