The Vancouver Poultry & Fancy Pigeon Association is
dedicated to the promotion and facilitation of the breeding
and exhibition of fancy pigeons in the Pacific
Northwest.
For
those that attended the May meeting, which was held at my home, you would
have the opportunity to see my loft in its' final stage of
completion.
I was fortunate to have the help of Mickey Compton and
Kevin Sherman, under the supervision of Ken "the Contractor" Chatwin,
complete the flypen. Although we did not completely finish the flypen
before the meeting, we managed to get enough done so that one pen was
complete enough to let the birds out. Once the meeting had completed, Ken
and I finished the remaining work on the flypen, which will make Mickey
happy, as he was quite concerned we would not have enough materials or
enough time to get it completed that day.
I have to say having the
loft completed was a long time coming, since we started last August.
However, through perservance and Ken's invaluable assistance, I am very
pleased with how the loft turned out. I am also fortunate to have been
given birds from Ernie as I start back in the hobby. I have banded my
first two birds, and have more on the way.
I will not be showing in
the upcoming Lawn Show, as I am still breeding. However, I expect to be
showing this fall in our Winter Show. To all those that helped me get back
in the hobby, I am greatful. See at the Lawn Show!
Regards,
Keith
Biggs
West Nile virus - is this the year?
Health authorities and local governments are gearing up for
the arrival of West Nile virus in British Columbia this
year.
As a threat to the pigeon fancy West Nile virus has
been overshadowed by Avian influenza the last few years, but it
should not be ignored.
The threat comes from the fact that
the life cycle of the virus requires a host and while all warm
blooded animals can act as that host, certain bird species are more
susceptible to the development of the disease making them effective
"carriers"..
Pigeons however, are poor transmitters of West
Nile virus. Research conducted a few years ago showed that a
pigeon's immune system completely cleared the virus within 5 days
from the time of infection. The pigeon then has immunity to any
further infection and cannot transmit the virus.
In
responding to the public's concerns it is important that fanciers
understand this difference between pigeons and other birds such as
crows and sparrows, where the virus prevails over the bird's immune
system causing full-blown West Nile disease eventually leading to
their death, but making them effective transmitters of the disease
during the intervening period.
The disease is making steady
progress westward across North America, appearing as close as
Alberta, Idaho and Washington and according to the Public Health
Agency, 151 cases of infected humans, including two deaths, were
reported in Canada in 2006.
Despite predictions the last
couple of summers, there have been no infected mosquitoes, birds or
humans in B.C.. Mosquito populations have a lot to do with how the
disease moves and the long, hot summers in central North America is
where most human cases appear. Our more moderate coastal climate may
have slowed the northward movement of the virus but according to the
experts it's only a matter of
time.
EVENTS
Operation High Roller
US Federal authorities, as part of a nation-wide
investigation, have charged 7 California pigeon fanciers "associated
with roller pigeon clubs" with violating the Migratory Bird Treaty
Act by killing protected raptors.
Operation High Roller, a 14
month investigation in which special agents of the US Fish &
Wildlife Service infiltrated several roller pigeon clubs, including
some affiliated with the National Birmingham Roller Club (NBRC),
whose members are alleged to be responsible for killing between
1,000 and 2,000 raptors annually in southern California.
It
is illegal to harass, kill or possess migratory birds, such as the
Coopers Hawks, Red Tailed Hawks and Peregrine falcons involved in
these charges, without a special permit.
US Fish &
Wildlife officials report that NBRC members are also being
investigated in Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Texas, Wisconsin and
New York.
Read the response from the National
Birmingham Roller Club here
>>>
May Minutes
Minutes of the meeting of the Vancouver Poultry & Fancy
Pigeon Association held Sunday, May 27, 2007 at the residence of
Keith Biggs.
Vice President Murray McAllister called the
meeting to order at 2:30 P.M.. There were 7 members present. Murray
thanked the club members from Victoria for their hospitality at our
April meeting.
The next regular meeting of The Vancouver Poultry & Fancy
Pigeon Association will be held on Sunday, June 24, 2007 at the home
of Murray McAllister from 2:00 - 4:00 PM.
