September 2009

Jan create special pigeon figurines

A wonderful artwork

See the photos - interest? - Ask Jan!

September 2008

The Pigeon Fancy in South Africa

By Jan Lombard

Although keeping fancy pigeons in South Africa as a hobby is most probably much older, the South African Fancy Pigeon Association was founded in 1943. As such is celebrated it 65th year of existence in 2008. This organization is divided into 11 affiliated regions, namely: Gauteng, Freestate, Western Cape, Northern Freestate, Eastern Transvaal, Northern Cape (previously known as Griqualand West), Eastern Province, South Western Districts, Western Transvaal, Northern Transvaal and KwaZulu-Natal Eastern Free State. The last mentioned region was previously two separate regions. Namibia previously formed part of SAFPA, but has subsequently formed a separate national body known as the Namibian Fancy Pigeon Association. This was done to gain the recognition as a national sport and to receive financial support from the Namibian government. When Namibia was still known as South West Africa, this country fell under administration of the South African government. Well informed readers will notice that some of the SAFPA regions still use names from the previous political aera.

In years gone by each region hosted an annual show, while some also hosted young bird shows and supported agricultural shows (fairs) with pigeon sections. With the new political dispensation, most rural agricultural show societies became bankrupt. As a result there are fewer opportunities to show, and some regions have lost their show venues. Due to the high oil prices and the long distances one has to travel to attend shows, show entries have decrease dramatically. Previously some regional shows drew entries of 2000+ and the Championship show had entries of over 4000. The 2008 Championship show however drew only 1700 entries this year. I can remember times when the SAFPA had over 400 members. Membership is down to just over 200. Despite high travel costs, there are some other reasons to blame for the decline in membership. Because of these reasons a new national body was formed in 2006. This organization has a very dynamic leader and already enjoys the recognition of the South African Sports Confederation & Olympic Committee. As such it has got access to places of high visibility in the public arena. The NFPA recently hosted a show at the Victoria & Albert Waterfront in Cape Town that was visited by over 4000 members of the public. A lot of hope is place on the idea that such a public display will help the NFPA to restore the fancy to its former glory.

When judging pigeons at a South African show, we use the American system of picking a winner in every breed. We have a standardized show schedule for all recognized colour classes in all recognized breed, as well as a class for so-called any-other-fancy-pigeon. Based on this, exhibitors use the same set of class numbers to enter birds at all shows. Show administration is then done with a standardized computer program. For each recognized colour there are 4 classes, e.g. Young Cock, Young Hen, Old Cock and Old Hen. Because the breeding season (August to March) spans two calendar years in the Southern hemisphere, and because we get our new rings on December 1, it is possible to enter 2007 and 2008 banded birds as young birds during the 2008 show season. Birds banded with 2006 and older rings automatically take part in the old bird classes. Because some young birds bred in December or January, are still very young at the onset of the show season in May, it is advisable to first judge all the young hen classes in the breed. Sometimes some birds entered as Young Hens pick the show day to point out that they are actually cocks, which the judge may then move to the respective Young Cock classes. As some inexperienced exhibitors sometimes enter Old Hens in the Old Cock classes, it also makes sense to judge the Old hens before the old cocks. Out of all the young cock class winners a best Young Cock is then selected. The same hold true for a best Young Hen, Old hen and Old Cock. The judge then picks his best Young Bird and his best Old Bird, and from these two the breed winner.

We use standard colours for pen cards with white for Old Cocks, Green for Old Hens, Blue for Young Cocks and Pink for Young Hens. With the help of the above mentioned computer program labels get printed out that shows the pen number, class number, breed, colour and sex/age of the entry. These labels are then pasted onto the different coloured pen cards. The computer program also prints out judging sheets with all the details needed for judging. It also prints out exhibitors’ sheets with all their pen numbers and details about their entries. This they use to find their pens at the onset of the show. Some breeds are judged within their holding pens, while others like Modenas and American Show Racers are judged in separate judging areas. Most breeds are judges in separate judging pens that can be moved about in the show hall.

Junior members can compete in junior classes. There are no separate colour classes amongst the junior classes – e.g. only one each for YC, YH, OC and OH per breed. Juniors are however allowed to enter birds in the senior classes, if they are willing to take on the adults.

On SAFPA shows all breed winners are taken to a special judging area where a senior old breed judge pick the Champion on show as well as 6 reserve champions from Reserve Champion to 6th reserve champion. Juniors also compete for top-7 junior awards. These top 7 birds then earn points for their exhibitors for national recognition. More points are earned for a top-7 at the Championship show than on a regional show. On the same basis points are for judging on national or regional level, as well as for administration. The pity about this recognition system is that the recognition stops with the SAFPA.

On NFPA shows breed winner is the highest recognition a bird can receive. This is based on the opinion that no senior judge has sufficient knowledge to fairly compare pigeons of 200+ breeds, and that all judges have their own preferences for certain breeds. The NFPA is currently investigating a system similar to the British system, whereby championship certificates will be awarded to deserving breed winners. Once a specific bird has been awarded these championship certificates for a specified number of times, it will be classified as a South African Champion, with recognition to the breeder and the exhibitor. This system will be submitted to SASCOC for there approval. Once implemented, this will enable NFPA members to qualify for National Colours recognized by the South African government.

To become a judge in the SAFPA one has to pass a practical examination during which you have to convince a senior all breed judge and a second breed judge of your knowledge of the breed in question. You are also asked to judge a number of birds and to provide reasons for your placements, while pointing out weak and strong points of the pigeons before you. In the NFPA there is no formal way to qualify as a judge. The policy is to invite breeders who have made their mark in specific breeds to judge. If the exhibitors are satisfied with their judging, they will be invited again, if not, they will not be asked to judge the breed in the future. Only time will tell weather or not this is a feasible policy.

Due to our hot weather and the fact that we almost never experience sub-zero temperatures pigeons are kept in open fronted lofts or aviaries. Most fanciers keep 3 or more breeds in a variety of colors. You will not easily find a one-breed specialist that keeps one breed in one colour only. As a result the quality in some breeds and some colours suffer. Most fanciers keep breeds in open community lofts, where parentage cannot be guaranteed. Separate breeding compartments are becoming more popular with serious breeders with some knowledge of genetics.

Most pigeons are fed on a mixture of grains consisting of corn, wheat, sorghum (both red and white), green and yellow peas (sometimes maple peas and black-eyed-Suzan peas if available) and sunflower seeds. Some fanciers use pigeon pellets and some even use broiler pellets. Broiler pellets are however not recommendable as it may contain growth stimulants which may have a negative affect on fertility etc.

Some of the more popular breeds are Birmingham Rollers (which are flown and shown), Modems (American type), English LFCL Tumblers, German Beauty Homers, Norwich Croppers and Brunner’s, to name a few. At most regional shows you will see 60 to 100 different breeds. For some of the less popular breeds there may only be one exhibitor.

Despite the low value of the local currency called the Rand (R13 = 1 Euro) a lot of pigeons were imported during the past few years. This was made possible through the help of International judges visiting and judging at our shows. During the 2007 SAFPA Championship show we were privileged to have 6 International judges, with John Heppner of the USA acting as the senior judge who picked the top-7. At the 2008 SAPFA show we had Brad Child from the USA as well as Norbert Giesecke from Germany. A number of judges have already expressed interest in judging at the 2009 NFPA National show. The clubs do not have many members and are not financially strong enough to sponsor foreign judges to visit us. If they however are willing to pay their own airfare, we are more than happy to show them some true South African hospitality. The 2009 SAFPA show will take place in Nelspruit (close to the Kruger National Park) while the NFPA National will take place in Pietermaritzburg. These two shows will be one week apart and will take place during July 2009. Interested parties are welcome to contact the writer at E-Mail for more information.

See also: