2000 I.F. CHAMPION LOFT
5-25 LOFTS
RON BUTLER R & M LOFT
I.F. INTERVIEW REPORT FOR CHAMPION FLYERS
OF CHAMPION BIRDS
By Paul Walsh
1.
Tell us a little about yourself. I got my first pigeons in 1948
when I was 8 years old from my Great Uncle Joe. I started flying in 1952
with my father, John Butler. My father was the one person who inspired
me to love pigeons. I miss him going "up the road with me to train
and talk pigeons." He would have been so pleased to see me win this
award. I am a retired Union Sheet Metal Worker and have been married to
my wife Judy for 39 years. I have made Judy a promise this year that I
will not fly young birds and only a few old bird races. She is retiring
this year and we are going to do some traveling and enjoy the summer months.
We raised six children (1 boy and 5 girls) and presently have seven grandchildren.
During the Olympic Games, I was asked by a local school to participate
in their Olympics. They wanted to have pigeons be part of their opening
ceremony for their Olympic games just like the official Olympics. Both
parents and students were amazed by the pigeons and asked many questions.
In fact, someone from the local newspaper was present and took pictures.
Subsequently they called and asked to interview me and do an article on
homing pigeons. This was on the front page of the local paper. Periodically
I get calls from the local schools to see if I can participate in their
Olympic games. I am happy to do this as it may interest some young people
in the sport of homing pigeons.
2. Do you think your position is a good one
as far as combine races are concerned? How big is your combine or club? My combine is the Northeast Concourse and has about 80 flying members. It includes northern Massachusetts and all of New Hampshire and Maine. We presently fly out of Canada, which puts the flyers in the south in a tough position to win. I am in the south section and there are no other lofts in my town or in surrounding towns. I am a member of the MNH Club and was a delegate for many years to the Concourse meetings and also the Treasurer of my club.
3. What type of birds do you now fly? I have flown Omer Van Walleghem pigeons for many years and have become good friends with him over the years. I found Omer to be a true gentleman and one of the most knowledgeable pigeon men I have ever known. Another great friend and pigeon man is Sam Lembo whom I have known since I was 12 years old. I fly his pigeons along with Omer's. Most of my birds are medium sized and red checks.
4. Can you give us a little history on your Champion bird? Champion Loft? Over the past five years, I have won over 50 club races, many South Section and Concourse races. 1996... Winner Concourse Young Bird Average Speed--winning the most diplomas in Concourse Old and Young Birds. Won 90% of club races Old and Young birds 1997... Won 90% of club races flown 1998... Did not fly old birds and only 5 young bird races of which I won 3 (health problems prevented me from racing) 1999... Won 90% of club races flown 2000... Won 7 of 9 club races Old Birds Winner 2 Concourse races and several Section wins Had great Young Bird season. Finished season by winning a tough 200-mile Concourse and a 250-mile 1st Section and 2nd Concourse. These races were won with two sisters. To conclude 2000 season, won all South Section Average Speed Old and Young Birds Won the most diplomas in Concourse (77) this includes both Concourse and Section Won 11 Concourse trophies Won Concourse Combined Average Speed
5. How big is my team? I only have 30 old birds and 30 young birds. I raise about 40 young birds each season. Here in New Hampshire I have had quite a problem with hawks so I usually start breeding in March and that way it seems to help alleviate this problem.
6. Do you use a system? Explain your system. I use the Natural system for old birds and fly to wooden eggs never to young. Young birds I fly to the perch and don't separate hens and cocks.
7. Do you cut flights, pull tail feathers? No, I tried this once and will never do it again. I felt this didn't help.
8. Describe your loft. My loft is 16 x 32 with a four foot hallway along the back. It is separated into five sections. This allows me to control the space for birds and I find this keeps them healthy. They have plenty of room. Most flyers come into my loft and say, "Where are the Birds". They usually can't believe that is all I keep.
9. Describe how you feed. I hopper feed and basically feed my pigeons in the morning. I use Purgrain Breeder/Conditioner. I don't fly around the loft because of the hawks so my birds are fed after training or early in the day. I always have fresh water available. Safflower seeds are added when the races get longer.
10. How do you train yours? Single toss in a flock or on the training truck? Do you time your birds from training and if so give us example? How often do you train and at what distances? I train my birds by flock tossing and never on a truck. Truck training can cause sickness and is too risky for me. I have a new electronic timer and now I do time my birds occasionally. This is a new experience for me. My plan is to start old and young birds at short tosses and bring them up to fifty miles maximum. I do this as many times as weather permits in young birds.
11. Do you have any regular training schedule? I am forced to take down the road because of the hawks. When I am not hunting or fishing I train.
12. Is there any kind of health program you follow regularly? If so explain it to us, how do you medicate and for what reason? I give shots for PMV and Pox. Every other week in racing season, I treat with DAC 4 in 1 Mix the day after the race (1-day only). I also use DAC wormer before breeding season, before old bird season and before young bird season. I find this to be an excellent product. This is the only medication I give birds as I am opposed to overmedicating with antibiotics.
13. Do you believe in bird entry limits? Yes, we have a twenty-bird limit in our Concourse. Smaller limits would make flyers pick the best birds possible for the race and this would eliminate some of our losses in the races. I don't believe there should be more than one loft to a mailing address. The way the rule stands now flyers can send 40 or more to a race. What does this prove? Is it really helping the sport? This puts flyers just starting at a disadvantage. I don't believe in clocking limits as it doesn't give a true race report and does give misleading information for diplomas and future breeders. I only have six pairs of breeders. I breed one round from my top flyers. This determines my future breeders. By doing this I discovered a great breeder in "Rocky". We call him Rocky because he always wants to fight with me when I go in the coop. He has won two five hundred mile races and bred me a winner every year this year a 200 mile Old Bird Concourse winner and a 150 mile Club Winner in young birds. Advice for new flyers: I would say not to take pigeons from well meaning club members. Try and find someone that flies on the top and a course similar to yours and buy a few good pair. Start slow.
14. Is there a flyer, breeder or book that has helped you become a better pigeon flyer? Over the years I have been associated with many great flyers and friends of the sport. These include Omer Van Walleghem, Sam Lembo, Don McCue, and Nick Warman. I have known Sam, Don and Nick for 50 years. Nick and I grew up together and are still good friends. I remember Sam Lembo taking Nick and me up the road to train our pigeons when we were young, just starting out in flying. I enjoy the company of my friend, Mark Santos, who comes down every race day and sits and waits with me for the pigeons. My wife and I also have good friends in Pennsylvania, the Pauleys and Barry Kemp. Barry always makes us laugh. Of course, I can't forget to mention my father who got me started with all this. I used to like to read and save articles out of the Racing Pigeon Bulletin written by Noel Descheemaecker and translated by Sam Lembo. I really believe that Descheemaecker's articles are "Words of Wisdom". In closing, I would like to thank the IF for the award and Paul Walsh for doing all his work.
2. Do you think your position is a good one
as far as combine races are concerned? How big is your combine or club? My combine is the Northeast Concourse and has about 80 flying members. It includes northern Massachusetts and all of New Hampshire and Maine. We presently fly out of Canada, which puts the flyers in the south in a tough position to win. I am in the south section and there are no other lofts in my town or in surrounding towns. I am a member of the MNH Club and was a delegate for many years to the Concourse meetings and also the Treasurer of my club.
3. What type of birds do you now fly? I have flown Omer Van Walleghem pigeons for many years and have become good friends with him over the years. I found Omer to be a true gentleman and one of the most knowledgeable pigeon men I have ever known. Another great friend and pigeon man is Sam Lembo whom I have known since I was 12 years old. I fly his pigeons along with Omer's. Most of my birds are medium sized and red checks.
4. Can you give us a little history on your Champion bird? Champion Loft? Over the past five years, I have won over 50 club races, many South Section and Concourse races. 1996... Winner Concourse Young Bird Average Speed--winning the most diplomas in Concourse Old and Young Birds. Won 90% of club races Old and Young birds 1997... Won 90% of club races flown 1998... Did not fly old birds and only 5 young bird races of which I won 3 (health problems prevented me from racing) 1999... Won 90% of club races flown 2000... Won 7 of 9 club races Old Birds Winner 2 Concourse races and several Section wins Had great Young Bird season. Finished season by winning a tough 200-mile Concourse and a 250-mile 1st Section and 2nd Concourse. These races were won with two sisters. To conclude 2000 season, won all South Section Average Speed Old and Young Birds Won the most diplomas in Concourse (77) this includes both Concourse and Section Won 11 Concourse trophies Won Concourse Combined Average Speed
5. How big is my team? I only have 30 old birds and 30 young birds. I raise about 40 young birds each season. Here in New Hampshire I have had quite a problem with hawks so I usually start breeding in March and that way it seems to help alleviate this problem.
6. Do you use a system? Explain your system. I use the Natural system for old birds and fly to wooden eggs never to young. Young birds I fly to the perch and don't separate hens and cocks.
7. Do you cut flights, pull tail feathers? No, I tried this once and will never do it again. I felt this didn't help.
8. Describe your loft. My loft is 16 x 32 with a four foot hallway along the back. It is separated into five sections. This allows me to control the space for birds and I find this keeps them healthy. They have plenty of room. Most flyers come into my loft and say, "Where are the Birds". They usually can't believe that is all I keep.
9. Describe how you feed. I hopper feed and basically feed my pigeons in the morning. I use Purgrain Breeder/Conditioner. I don't fly around the loft because of the hawks so my birds are fed after training or early in the day. I always have fresh water available. Safflower seeds are added when the races get longer.
10. How do you train yours? Single toss in a flock or on the training truck? Do you time your birds from training and if so give us example? How often do you train and at what distances? I train my birds by flock tossing and never on a truck. Truck training can cause sickness and is too risky for me. I have a new electronic timer and now I do time my birds occasionally. This is a new experience for me. My plan is to start old and young birds at short tosses and bring them up to fifty miles maximum. I do this as many times as weather permits in young birds.
11. Do you have any regular training schedule? I am forced to take down the road because of the hawks. When I am not hunting or fishing I train.
12. Is there any kind of health program you follow regularly? If so explain it to us, how do you medicate and for what reason? I give shots for PMV and Pox. Every other week in racing season, I treat with DAC 4 in 1 Mix the day after the race (1-day only). I also use DAC wormer before breeding season, before old bird season and before young bird season. I find this to be an excellent product. This is the only medication I give birds as I am opposed to overmedicating with antibiotics.
13. Do you believe in bird entry limits? Yes, we have a twenty-bird limit in our Concourse. Smaller limits would make flyers pick the best birds possible for the race and this would eliminate some of our losses in the races. I don't believe there should be more than one loft to a mailing address. The way the rule stands now flyers can send 40 or more to a race. What does this prove? Is it really helping the sport? This puts flyers just starting at a disadvantage. I don't believe in clocking limits as it doesn't give a true race report and does give misleading information for diplomas and future breeders. I only have six pairs of breeders. I breed one round from my top flyers. This determines my future breeders. By doing this I discovered a great breeder in "Rocky". We call him Rocky because he always wants to fight with me when I go in the coop. He has won two five hundred mile races and bred me a winner every year this year a 200 mile Old Bird Concourse winner and a 150 mile Club Winner in young birds. Advice for new flyers: I would say not to take pigeons from well meaning club members. Try and find someone that flies on the top and a course similar to yours and buy a few good pair. Start slow.
14. Is there a flyer, breeder or book that has helped you become a better pigeon flyer? Over the years I have been associated with many great flyers and friends of the sport. These include Omer Van Walleghem, Sam Lembo, Don McCue, and Nick Warman. I have known Sam, Don and Nick for 50 years. Nick and I grew up together and are still good friends. I remember Sam Lembo taking Nick and me up the road to train our pigeons when we were young, just starting out in flying. I enjoy the company of my friend, Mark Santos, who comes down every race day and sits and waits with me for the pigeons. My wife and I also have good friends in Pennsylvania, the Pauleys and Barry Kemp. Barry always makes us laugh. Of course, I can't forget to mention my father who got me started with all this. I used to like to read and save articles out of the Racing Pigeon Bulletin written by Noel Descheemaecker and translated by Sam Lembo. I really believe that Descheemaecker's articles are "Words of Wisdom". In closing, I would like to thank the IF for the award and Paul Walsh for doing all his work.
This is my pigeon "Rocky" with my grandson
Matthew, 5 years old,
who likes to come in the loft with me.