Best Posts in Thread: KALAPATI (Pigeons)

Kalapati, that is the Filipino name for Pigeons/Doves, after many years away from them, (I used to race them in UK I have started keeping them again after a 30yr absence from the hobby) here in the Philippines, Racing Pigeons was great fun for with my clothes on.
Many Famous people have or had them; Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Marlon Brando, Queen Lizzie of UK has them and they are Raced to Lofts in Sandringham, Loft is the name of the house/shed for Pigeons, the Belgians one of the first to start racing them kept them in their attics.
As for racing them they would race from Rennes in France to my home in Scotland 557mls1282yds, the successful ones can do it in one day, I have had them liberated at 6am and timed them in at 9.15pm on that same day, these long distance races are always held Saturday nearest 21st of June for maximum daylight to be had.
There is a newly formed club for them here in DGTE only this year I believe it was formed and they intend to have races next month October, it is really is quite big up in Luzon they have huge clubs with many members and many hundreds of birds compete in their races, just the other week I met a fancier from there that had won P500,000 in a race, sometimes they will have a New Car to be competed for.
The day to day running of a Loft is fairly easy and the releasing of the Birds to watch them fly around gives me great pleasure, they do poop a lot but it is fairly low odour and a good fertiliser, cheap to feed (1 kilo of grains will feed 30 birds for a day and costs around P35) housing does not need to be all that special or expensive, an Aviary is perhaps the best way to keep them here with plenty of air flow, I am asked the big question from many people; How much does it cost for a Bird, there is no definitive answer to that, the breeding Studs in Luzon charge P2,000 per bird, but I have also had Birds free of charge here. as for me I would never charge for a Bird especially to someone just starting.
If this has piqued anyone's interest PM me and I will help out in any way I can, bearing in mind I have only just started myself, also there are many Videos available on the subject a few that may be of interest are the Chinese Pigeon Millionaires, also one from Taiwan and the Million Dollar race in South Africa.

Attached are a few pics of my easy clean Perches and Nest boxes all my own build and design.