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.
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here.
The VP
& FPA annual lawn show is fast approaching. For many of us this is one
of our favourite events of the year. Following an established tradition of
the pigeon fancy, club members, their families and guests get together for
a relaxing day featuring a show under canvas, raffle prizes, a
buy/sell/trade table and a BBQ lunch. Come out and meet your fellow
fanciers, club members and friends.
Details are as follows:
When: Sunday, June 22nd, 2008, coop in at 10:00 am Where: Ernie
Silveri's residence 2736 Leveuvre Road, Abbotsford BC Events: All
age/breed open show - no entry fee Buy/Sell/Trade table - for pigeons and
pigeon related accessories Raffle - contributions of raffle prizes
would be appreciated BBQ and refreshments .
Regards,
Dave
Williamson
Pigeon War Heroes Anniversary
by David Williamson
This week (May 31- June 6) marks the anniversaries of two
pigeon war heroes both awarded the Dickin Medal for their actions in
two different wars.
The first anniversary is for Cher Ami,
one of 600 birds owned by the U.S. Signal Corp in France during
World War I and assigned to the 77th Infantry Division operating in
the Verdun region. On May 31, 1918 during the Battle of Cantigny
(the first U.S. victory of World War I) approximately 200 U.S.
troops commanded by a Major Whittlesey were isolated from the main
force and came under attack from their own artillery. In those days,
before two-way radios, field commanders used pigeons to carry
messages between military units and their H.Q. home loft. Major
Whittlesey had three pigeons but the first two birds sent with
messages were shot down, leaving the hopes and possibly the survival
of the unit resting on the third bird, Cher Ami.
As soon as
Cher Ami was airborne it was shot down but recovered and flew off.
Despite being shot again in the chest it made it back to the loft
with the message and Major Whittlesey's unit was saved. Cher Ami
died of its wounds shortly thereafter but is on display at the
National Museum of American History, Washington D.C.. The second
anniversary is for Gustav, a bird belonging to the Royal Air Force's
Homing Pigeon Service in World War II. Gustav was trained in
Hampshire, England and was assigned by the RAF to Reuter's war
correspondent Montague Taylor who accompanied Allied Forces across
the English Channel on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Gustav was released off
the Normandy coast with the first message reporting the success of
the D-Day landings and flew the 150 miles to its home loft in 51/4
hours bringing the vital message home. The story of Gustav's heroics
was the basis for the animated movie "Valiant" starring Ewan
McGregor. Cher Ami and Gustav are 2 of the only 60 animals to
receive the Dickin Medal, 32 of which were
pigeons.
EVENTS
"Natural" Pigeon Products
by G. C. Butch Woods
I would like to pass on my experience with these "natural"
products. My use of these products has been that I try to use the
feed as my way of giving vitamins to my pigeons, and keeping the
water clean and bacteria free. Therefore, for years I have applied a
mixture of wheat germ oil, cod liver oil, and Red Cell Vitamins to
my feed to moisten the feed. Then, I apply a mixture of Brewers
Yeast, Vionate powdered vitamins, and Prima Lac Probioatic (Star
Labs) Good Gut Bacteria to the moistened feed. I use this mixture on
my feed about 2 to 3 times per week. On these days I put about 3 to
4 drops of Gentle Iodine 1 % in the water, which purifies the water
and helps with fertility and hatchability of eggs during breeding
months. I prefer this method, because of the heat in Texas has a way
of diminishing the effect of any vitamins or probiotics in the water
in a matter of a few hours. Also, the public water systems use of
chlorine and other chemicals diminish the effect of vitamins or
probiotics in a matter of a few hours. At least 2 or 3 days per week
when not giving my vitamin mixture to the feed, I give the mixture
of 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar, 1/4 Teaspoon of Acidified
Copper Sulfate, and 1 or 2 fresh Garlic cloves (squeezed in a garlic
press) to One Gallon of water. This mixture fights intestinal
bacteria, worms, and canker causing bacteria in the crop
naturally.
During racing season, the use of 2 tablespoons of
pure honey and 1 freshly squeezed lemon to One Gallon of water the
day before basketing for the race is great. This mixture of honey
and lemon juice is mixed in a glass 1 quart fruit jar of warm water,
let stand 30 minutes before adding a remaining One gallon of water.
This gives natural energy for the coming race, and clears the throat
and bronchial tubes of any harmful mucus.
Hope this is
helpful, it has helped keep my pigeons healthy for
years.
May Minutes
Minutes of the meeting of the Vancouver Poultry & Fancy
Pigeon Association held Sunday, May 25th, 2008 at the residence of
Gary Owen and Tracy Morrison.
President Ernie Silveri called
the meeting to order at 2:10 pm. There were 10 members present.
Motion to accept the minutes as published moved by Ken Chatwin and
seconded by Murray McAllister. .
Each year AU members are invited to submit photographs, plans
and descriptions of their lofts for a Showcase Loft Contest. The
lofts help the public understand what is necessary for a race team
setting. It is also fun for members of the sport to compare
designs.
