Pigeon fanciers knuckling down, doing basics during lockdown

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MOSSEL BAY SPORT NEWS AND VIDEO - Most sports have come to a standstill during the lockdown and that includes pigeon racing.

What is good, however, is that pigeon racing is in a rest period anyway, according to Faunty Gillmer, chairman of the Eden Pigeon Racing Federation.

This is the main governing body in the Southern Cape. Its jurisdiction stretches from Plettenberg Bay to Albertinia and inland, to Oudtshoorn.

It represents about 200 pigeon keepers.

Pigeon racing starts again in the first week of June, so there is still time to prepare, and practising will start in a month or two, says Gillmer. "We hope by June the lockdown will be a thing of the past."

Gillmer says the pigeons are looking good at the moment. He is positive about the sport's success this year. Also on a positive note, Gillmer says now is the ideal time to focus on the nitty-gritties of the sport and vaccinate pigeons against various diseases.

This treatment is par for the course at this time of the year, he says. Among the diseases pigeons are treated for preventatively are cancer, smallpox, malaria and coccidiosis, the main symptom of which is diarrhoea. There are also a number of viruses which attack pigeons and they need to be vaccinated, sometimes three to four times a year, to prevent them catching these, Gillmer explains.

Probably the most serious is paramyxovirus type 1, which can destroy all the pigeons in a loft. Vaccination of pigeons against these diseases must be done. South African law stipulates this.

The Eden Pigeon Racing Federation was delighted that the Fiesta TV programme (kykNET) covered a pigeon show held last year at the agricultural show in George. Watch a video supplied by Faunty Gillmer, chairman of the Eden Pigeon Racing Federation below:

'Sport growing well, competition strong'
Gillmer says what contributes to the growth of pigeon racing here on the coast is that many in South Africa choose to retire here and bring their hobby with them. "Pigeon racing keeps people busy," he says. "The sport is growing well here and the competition is strong.

"During the lockdown it is an opportunity for pigeon fanciers to focus wholeheartedly on their birds. "You have these birds in your loft in your garden and you are breeding a product within a few months." Gillmer says it is exciting to assess the progress of your work: are you stagnating or is their progress in your breeding?

"We get many young people showing an interest in pigeons, but they are unable to afford the cost. As far as possible we try to motivate them and assist them."

Gillmer assures that if the seed is planted, those interested in keeping pigeons will indeed do so one day, when they have the financial means.

The Eden Pigeon Racing Federation has ordered a truck worth R700 000 for transporting pigeons. "Our transportation was not of the best," Gillmer says. Hence, the decision was made to purchase the truck.

Gillmer says each of the pigeon fanciers in the federation made a contribution towards the cost of the truck, but there is a small amount still outstanding.

"If there is a sponsor who would like to assist us, we would be extremely grateful," he says.

"I'm positive about pigeon racing this year. Even if activities begin a month or two later than usual because of the lockdown, the programme can still be adapted. We will be able to make a decision on activities after the lockdown, not before, but I believe it will be a very good year."

Examples of pigeons in top condition. Photo: Supplied by Faunty Gillmer