The year 2016/17, the year in which the VFWCPR was first held, proved to be a massive learning experience for both the owners of the event and the management in charge of the pigeons.
- The massive losses in this introductory year of the VFWCPR were mainly because of three reasons. They are;
- The initial losses during the first few months of intake because of disease, in particular infection with circovirus and the ‘open door’ which this infection creates for other diseases. The circovirus came with the pigeons imported from Europe especially and was subsequently disseminated amongst all the loft’s inhabitants.
- The severe losses caused as result of the extreme climatic conditions that make responsible pigeon training and racing in October/November impossible .
- The number of birds that fall prey to raptors. Though the raptor population is fairly large, the number of pigeons taken is, relative to the number in the loft, fairly small.
There is nothing that can be done at this time to prevent the importation of the circovirus and threatened subsequent outbreak of disease. But, as the virus attacks the birds mainly in the first five months of their lives, accepting older pigeons at intake will negate to a large extent the effects of the virus.
There is nothing that can be done about the raptors. The loft is situated in a National Game Park and the pigeons have to survive in co-existence with the raptors. It’s an inescapable source of loss that the loft has to live with.
So, by shifting the dates of entry, training and racing, the number of losses from disease and extremes of heat, can be decreased; I believe quite drastically.
- It has become apparent to all involved with the management of the pigeons at the Vic Falls ORL, that drastic changes are required if the race as an OLR is to have a future of any kind.
By ‘a future’ it is meant that the race must be successful as a pigeon race i.o.w. the race;
- must have a winner.
- must be successful in paying out ALL the advertised prizes.
- must eventually be able to provide a market-related return to its investors. This may take a few years.
- must find a solution to escape the severe losses suffered during the heat period.
- must have a management team that is not afraid to alter either the training or racing programme if, and when, it is to provide the best circumstances for the pigeons.
As said above, it has also become apparent that as the season progressed, the programme that was being followed, was neither in the interest of the investors nor of the pigeons. (This is somewhat excusable as 2016/17 was the first year that the race was being held and local conditions were somewhat of an unknown entity.) The main problem was the extreme (natural) climate of the Victoria Falls area, particularly the period of scorching heat, which lasts from late September to mid-November. Aggravating that situation is the fact that the annual rains have , by October/early November, not yet arrived in the Falls nor in the surrounding area, causing most of the rivers, barring the Zambesi, to be dry and totally devoid of water. Unfortunately the flow of the Zambezi river does not follow the same course as that of the pigeons competing at the VFWCPR.
- Possible alterations for improvement of the current (1st year) programme.
Because the main problem is created by the totally dry and very hot period (from end of September to mid-November, referred to as the ‘October period’), it is essential that the birds are not intensely trained nor raced, during this time.
Recap; The current programme (2016/17) started in the period May/June/July with the influx of pigeons from around the world , following which the birds were quarantined and liberated as soon as the last intake group had finished their four weeks of quarantine.
This late intake did not leave enough time for homing and adequate loft-training before road tossing began, effectively creating the situation where ill-prepared pigeons were sent on tosses, with the resultant severe early losses.
Two alternative programmes for the VFWC PR are suggested, (imaginary dates are used to make explanation easier). They are;
- Final race to be in January 2018 (as it currently is) but the breeding period to extend from January to May 2017.
Advantages; Most fanciers are already accustomed to this routine. To deviate from it could create resistance from pigeon owners.
Disadvantages;
- The pigeons have to be bred as early in the year as possible which clashes with the routine of many fanciers who first breed rounds one and two for personal use or nominate them for placing in local National lofts, after which the demands of International lofts are fulfilled.
To reduce the stress on the birds in the October period, the activity of the pigeons at this time must be severely curtailed and only a short time of early morning circling, can be done. There must be no tossing and the pigeons would be mainly loft-bound. Reducing the time for adequate tossing could create the situation that the programme becomes concertina’ed into a shorter period with the result that the birds might be ill-prepared to fly the longer hotspot races. Additionally, having a shorter period during which to prepare the birds, leaves even less leeway for alterations to the programme should a change in the weather make any specific race or hotspot impossible.
2.Final race to be in September 2018
Advantages;
- With a breeding period stretching from January 2017 to early in 2018, the birds can develop into full adults before being sent to the loft, providing an opportunity for the fancier to select the best candidates.
- Pigeons that have competed in other ORL’s elsewhere can be rehomed and race for another year at the VFWCPR. The early bred birds that were raced elsewhere, can be properly selected and only the best can be sent; those not capable, can be sifted out. The possibility that previously-homed pigeons will try to return to their 1st homes is recognised but is balanced by the positives such as their better resistance to further disease outbreaks.
- Additionally, latebreds from January 2018 could also be sent to compete.
- With training starting in April, the hotspots taking place in June/July/ August and the final race in mid-September, all activity takes place in winter or early summer when the temperatures are much milder.
- The severe arid summer period in October, is avoided.
Disadvantages;
- Rings from the previous year must be allowed. This detracts from the idea of using only young birds but has the advantage that older experienced birds can be used.
- Training must begin at a time when the birds may not have completed the body moult.
- At this time the rains have not yet started and even though the race route roughly follows the course a permanent river, there will be less available surface water en route.
Summing up; We believe that an exciting time for the VFWCPR, lies ahead. The race can become a world-leader and profitable venture but this requires that innovative thinking is followed by bold decision making. It is recognized that the 2nd alternative proposal is a deviation from the usually accepted method of One Loft Racing as it is being done around the world at present , but at the same time, the author believes, that the innovative thinking required will provide a fresh outlook on One Loft Racing internationally. The VFWCPR will then emulate the glorious area after which it is named and truly will become, in the domain of One-loft pigeon racing, a world event.
Dr Wim Peters