A ONE LOFT RACE with a difference.
TEAM USA PIGEON RACING – in BELGIUM
Background
For many years, fanciers in the United States of America have been importing pigeons mainly from Europe and breeding them to race in the USA. The testing of these birds’ genetic capability involves racing them in races with small liberation numbers. In my opinion, the success of one-loft-racing within USA is a mirror picture of the actual testing of the genetic potential of pigeons. One loft-racing is a great way to test the genetic potential of your specific birds. The only downside of one-loft racing is that all birds are raced to the same destination from a single liberation point and race only against birds entering the specific race. To test pure genetic quality, pigeons need to be raced internationally and participate in mass liberation in a world-renowned environment. It is high time that the best American pigeons be tested against European pigeons in Europe to gain their rightful value.
Intentions
It is intended to establish a UNITED STATES of AMERICA race loft in a good position (geographically), housing AMERICAN banded pigeons and competing against the Belgian pigeons in approximately 12 young bird races, culminating with 4 National Races starting with a liberation at BOURGES (approx. 300 miles and ending at Argenton approx. 400 miles)
Members must realize that this proposal is based on two important foundations:
- The facility is a combined facility for all donors and is non-profit. It gives each donor the opportunity to become involved in racing pigeons in Belgium. There are costs associated with such a facility, and these must be covered by an annual donation of $35 per AU member.
- The parents sent for breeding purposes (from year 2 onwards) remain the property of each member individually. The income derived from the sale of their offspring after the completion of the season or the sale of the parents remain with the individual member via the member’s donor account. That means that you can build up an asset in the value of your pigeons within the facility, but relevant to the quality of your pigeons and their individual success. Alternatively, you may wish to get the $value of the birds sold either credited to your donor account or paid out to you (less costs).
Proposal
This is a “once upon a life” opportunity to race USA-banded pigeons against Belgian pigeons in the Belgian young bird series.
Structure and Donations
The organization will be under a NPO (non-profit organization structure named TEAM USA RACING PIGEONS. Donor/credit certificates will be issued to individual donors or their nominees. Such donor contributions are tax-deductible.
Donor funds will be used to set up the facility. Any funds not allocated toward setup costs will be kept for future developments.
HOW?
It is envisaged that the 1st year will be a little different from the years that follow. The 1st year – young birds will be bought in the EU and banded with AU rings.
The babies will be placed in a racing loft (provisionally secured for 2027 season as can be seen from the attached photographs) with “darkening” and “lightening” facilities to promote the moult of all the small feathers and thereafter restrict the molting of all secondary feathers, which is an advantage to have a full wing when the later portion of the season commences. The first round will be housed separately from the second round.
The allocation of 1st-year babies must be decided. How are we going to allocate babies to a particular member? How is the member going to qualify to race a bird in BELGIUM? How is the idea of a small contribution per AU fancier going to be accepted if he/she may not have a bird racing in the series in Belgium?
These pigeons will be trained and raced in the young bird season starting in June 2027 and will compete in the 4 National races. The National races start at BOURGES and ends at Argenton (maximum approx. 600km). The National races are held every second week. There will be races for the young birds, which include liberation points from 120km (Quiveran), 220km (NOYON), 340km (PITIVIERS), which fall outside the National window. Club and regional results are available on these “non-national” races and could form a part of a “scheme” within the loft. National young bird races are very popular in Belgium, attracting more than 30,000 pigeons per national race.
All racing pigeons will be sold annually. The better the pigeons race the better the sale price will be. Income derived, less commission from the sale of individual birds will be utilized for the loft in the form of creating better facilities and the possible purchase of stock pigeons for the following years. Also, these funds can be used in payouts for results / performance contributions.
COMPETITION
The result will be published within the loft. A “scheme” could be negotiated within this competition. Furthermore, a betting facility could be started. This could be discussed at the initial meeting. A betting network is also possible.
A second result, which will be the primary result, will be the result in the Provincial and National competition. Discussions are underway to have each member’s individual pigeons entered into the loft situation. The goal would be to have the member’s name attached to the pigeon’s position in the results for Belgium Provincial and National. Team USA will be mentioned on the result list, and if possible, the name of the fancier.
FACILITY
A pigeon facility housing approx. 100 pairs of breeders and a racing loft for approx. 400 pigeons are provisionally booked in a good position to compete nationally. This facility would be leased from the landlord. Rentals of this nature are normally for a 5- year lease period. Donated funds will be used to make any upgrades to the loft facility. Security is at a premium, and the facility will have 24-hour recorded camera surveillance.
Accommodation is available for the loft manager, including limited accommodation facilities for scholars. It will become important to house scholars seeking training in both the theoretical and practical pillars of pigeon racing and breeding. More on this later.
I have provisionally secured a facility situated in the SOUTH / EAST corner of Belgium, which is well placed for prevailing winds at the time of the young bird races.
FINANCES
A budget has been prepared, with a total cost of approx. $20,000.00 per month. Discussions must be held to funds this expenditure.(Let us assume that there are 6,800 members, then a donation of $35 per member per year is required).
For the sake of transparency and accountability, these financial results will be published monthly and will be available to the donors.
Please bear in mind that the goal is not to make a profit. Any profits made will be used in future years to benefit each donor/facility.
CLOCKING DEVICE & RINGS
A deal is sought with one of the major ETS suppliers to serve as a sponsor for these items.
CAMERAS & WEBSITE
Cameras will be provided in and around the lofts. Live streaming will be done via a website to be implemented.
Izak is a naturalized US citizen and will be moving to Belgium to accommodate and run this loft on your behalf.
FEED & SUPPLIMENTS
A sponsor is sought to provide suitable feed.
EDUCATION FACILITY
The facility will accept applications from students wishing to learn more about the full husbandry pillars of keeping and racing pigeons. Students will be educated in the following aspects of pigeon keeping:
- Breeding – including genetics, health of breeders, selection of pairs suitable to each other, feeding requirements, ringing and raising quality offspring.
- Rearing of babies after weaning, darkening system inducing the molting of body feathers, Feeding and health of babies.
- Settling of babies and training of discipline, initiating the circling and road training. Changes in feeding regimes in this period.
- Commencing racing, basketing of pigeons, training methods, feeding regimes, and medications regarding bacterial, viral, and fungal issues. Drinking method changes from returning from racing to basketing the following week.
- Loft design and building.
All education and lessons will be delivered on both theoretical and practical bases. Various influential experts have already committed themselves to educating students.
Accommodation and meals will be provided. The physical work on the daily operational aspects of the facility will be done by the students under the management skills of Izak.
It is my intention to seek funding/grants within the NPO for this portion of the exercise, which will not affect any daily expenses, and the member-fancier will not be expected to contribute toward these actions. A member may choose to contribute in the form of a donation. A separate bank account and financial accounts will be operated for the educational side of the operation.
A full curriculum and procedures will be determined once the operations have been concluded.
CONCLUSION
The above is an outline of what is envisaged, and these are some ideas on what could be acceptable within broad parameters. Members of the AU Board / Individual donors may have some other pertinent ideas and will certainly not be excluded.
This is a method of testing and increasing the value of your DNA potential on a world market, thereby increasing the value of your asset.
The positioning of a TEAM USA RACING PIGEONS in the heart of BELGIUM will undoubtedly carry potency in the marketing of US pigeons and the sport. I would relish the opportunity to contribute to the marketing campaign for ALL USA members.
