population genetics for pigeons fathers (Part 12) I'm still criticized in my last blog post, the quality of the magazine "The Pigeon", and then I read today in the 49/08 turn contribute to the topic of breeding and, moreover, one that I think very good. The title of the article is "men talks" and it is essentially a discussion of the author with the two icons breeder Harry Tamsen and Günter Prange.
I find the article very well because it reflects the experiences of two very experienced breeders on breeding, and doing some very useful conclusions can be drawn. And in addition, the article an excellent example on how we receive information that we should judge of top breeders, pigeon experts, breeding experts, blog writers, or who receive :-) Anyway,: Curious, open, but always critical! (As I said, this applies to the same extent for my blog posts, reader!)
Tamsen Harry has many things in the article, very true words, I think: first
If you mated average dust with very good pigeons, but is never very good out here!
second Flock of pigeons which fly by abandoning in smaller local groups like learn how to minimize losses, but in the long run of the requirement that we must separate from the flock of pigeons, not conducive. As a consequence Auflässe therefore be sought in larger composites.
third Frequent Umpaaren helps to identify the "strong heredity," doves. And only this one should continue to work preferred.
In addition, I was particularly impressed by Günter Prange. Above all, because he has retained his statements, even if some statement of Harry Tamsen at one point or another almost invited to a contradiction. But what he said had weight. In particular, I think his statement is emphasized that is the character of an extremely important and the rest of hereditary property of pigeons in Selection must be taken into account, for he makes the really good pigeon. For my part I will summarize this term such things as curiosity, learning ability, territoriality and breeding behavior. The word "stubbornness" that Harry brought Tamsen at this point in the game, I personally can not start as much as I find it hard stubbornness and lack of ability to learn to separate cleanly. Further evidence of Günter Prange I found very valuable, such as that we should inflate its stock does not, so you do not lose track of the breeding goal in mind and that patience is very important and that much even with him just was lucky.
get
criticism
But as already mentioned, the article is therefore also very good because it shows clearly that we believe the information we receive about our sport from others, always verify critical need, even if they come from such breeders icons.
Specifically
Harry Tamsen is very generalized, in some statements that his long experience, probably his success may be the opportunity for that. But surely, since that brain of man is always happy when it detects patterns in the chaos to which it can talk. And if a plausible model for us, it is for us the "reality" is among the many things we are classifying, even if not always logical, and thus is not always correct in the sequence.
So is the first statement Harry Tams, that the average dust paired with very good pigeons practically never very good result, certainly arisen as a result of his experiences and observations of many farmers, whom he met over the years, and is therefore valuable. However, his argument that this effect is probably instrumental in the inbred pigeons is worse, many farmers operate, is not conclusive. It could be a reason if it were the case that many poor farmers would operate long inbreeding in "its own juices." But would then be already achieved significant levels of inbreeding on these breeders, so that reasoning does. But in fact, but also the unsuccessful attempt to introduce something new, only just failed.
It is precisely the population genetics of a very good explanation for Tamsen observation and, moreover, a scientifically proven! In the performance properties are essentially quantitative properties by an accumulation of as many good genes (almost always are the recessive alleles [allele \u0026lt;-> name of a gene variant] ) can be increased (see see also former Blog article in this series). A recessive allele will only be effective if it homozygous, thus appearing to each of the two chromosomes of a chromosome pair.
The destructive influence of mediocrity
The probability of an allele homozygous (homozygous) in a population occurs depends of course on the frequency of this allele from this population in which I'm putting together combinations. If the population is large enough and well mixed, one can calculate the correlation between the frequency of an allele and its homozygosity. This calculation formula we have given the researchers due to Hardy and Weinberg. And even if our Population is mixed not Pefekt, and relatively small, gives us the result of this calculation still a good idea of where this is the basic problem:
shows the red curve, the percentage of animals, a feature showing visible when we consider a single recessive allele. If for example 50% of all animals carry this allele in itself, probably 25% of all animals of this allele present homozygous and thus show the corresponding property. Only when more than 70% frequency of this allele in the stock shows at least half of all animals that property.
But we are dealing with so many recessive alleles that a property such as high speed flight . Determine And it would be only 10 alleles, which would be relevant to the particular quality of an ace bird, and these 10 were sitting on 10 different chromosomes, so that they would not inherited in one step, but independently of each other, it follows that the probability that "act" in an animal all the genes the blue curve can be used in the graphic. And that is remarkable!
It shows that we have this, not even very serious conditions (namely, there are certainly more responsible than a 10 genes for an ace-pigeon) is a probability of only 0.1% once such a As to breed pigeon, even if all Doves in the population of all these important genes with a probability of 50% carry with them! Even if already bear 70% of all pigeons these important genes that are subject to our chances of an ace-pigeon of this kind at just 2.8%. This is so very dramatically illustrates how strong decrease already a little dilution from very good genes in a herd our chances of good young talent. And that's why you should only use very very good starting point for breeding and that is why insertion of top pigeons out practically in a group of moderate doves never a success! Tamsen Harry is absolutely right, but from an entirely different reason when he mentioned here.
year-old deaf and Umpaaren
Another, again and again to read thesis is that is drawn from years of pigeons better than from older ones. In the bold formulation of Harry Tamsen this will become even said that at the top of a beat at least one pigeon breeder was that age and have the parents (quote) "never" brought similar good siblings. Now again the joy of proposing a made by observation experience Harry Tamsen probably a trick. This observation is applicable not only to rule, but is already equal to only.
As a critical reader pigeon breeder and you should allow for the Breeders' icon simply Hide, and his descent folder get out of the closet:
The parents of Rambo, a travel-As were by van Dyck 4 and 5 years old. The Rambo brought Het Laatje both Kannibaal and the Bourges. Both travel and breeding aces. Here the parents were 2 - and 5-year! The parent bird at
Joop Koch, the "light of Orleans" was 6.nat. Ace Pigeon, his father was 9 years old, his mother two years old. He went with the "wick Belg" in solid pairing several years a 1.nat Ace Pigeon Short, a 3rd nat. Ace Pigeon Middle Distance and 9.nat. Ace Pigeon Middle Distance. The parents of the
Fieneke Vervoort are 4 - and 3-years old. They brought also the B-98-800, in the grains in Germany became a Topzuchttaube.
King and Queen at Andreas Drapa are 4 - and 5-year, as they took the 638, the 2002 1.As-bird was in Germany and they were already 6 - and 7-year-old when she and the another one in 1020 . As Bird and Olympic champion brought.
The parents of the Figo of Reynaert were already 7 - and 4-year, but they did have 5 - and 2-year-old Keizer, who also was 1.provinzielle Ace Pigeon and 14x1. Prices flew. They also brought some other top breeders, such as the "Small Figo" in Bosua. The car in Bosua
coupling consists of two doves, which also consists of 6 - were taken and a 4-year-old -, 6 -, 5. This breeding pair brought several As-pigeons, some of which, such as the Witkopje (best young NL) bred, was when the parents were the age of each fifth
I will stop here, otherwise it gets boring, but it could still continue as long as everyone understands the basis of race famous pigeons themselves! As it can come even with such an experienced breeder of such a miscalculation? Now, I think, something always happens when one does not consciously statistical effects. In the present case: Almost all stocks have a large proportion of pigeons year (often holding a stock). Therefore, it is also the case that involved a lot of pairings years of pigeons! You become 'statistically advantage. To form an opinion, one must not judge the number of good pigeons from pairings with years of pigeons, but put the number of such birds, first in relation to the number of such pairings. And only then can we compare this ratio with the corresponding ratios of the comparison group! And if the years of pigeons of a beat not by better health advantage, which for a consistently healthy stock should not be the case, we should expect quite clear that all age groups is approximately cut equally well, because the inheritance laws do not depend on age ( apart from very, very rare environmental influences on genetic material, such as mutations or epigenetic effects)!
And the rare occurrence of two aces in a pair is surely more of a statistical effect. It is already very rare to pull an ace out of a couple. It is once again just as rare, if I move a second ace of the same pair. By Umpaaren I increase but not these opportunities. This tells us the population genetics! This is apart from Umpaaren yet to identify a dominant sire a lot of sense. And here I would agree with Tamsen again.
forget sexes!
At another point, it trashes Harry Tamsen then really. Namely, as he the female offspring of a bird and the male Offspring of a female subordinate, it would 75% of the hereditary characteristics of the respective parents lead animal. Of course this is absolute nonsense! Of the 40 chromosome pairs of young pigeons are always 40 chromosomes from the father and 40 strands of strands of the mother.
It shows very dramatically, as can be very very good and very experienced fanciers pigeons, relevant literature and the traditions are shaped on breeding. Again and again, not scientifically tenable statements are made that consider the performances in pigeons essentially as sex-linked inherited (see my previous blog article).
But there are even some evidence that the essential performance characteristics of pigeons NOT be inherited sex-linked! How do I get this bold statement? Now, with "sex-linked" is meant so that the genes of these properties only on the Z chromosome (one bird with two, a female one), or only on the W chromosome (which carries only the female one) occur. If it were recessive, these properties could only be effective in birds show when it is present homozygously. Females, however, have always only one Z chromosome. It is thus here a recessive trait which is pronounced to be on this chromosome, since the "counterpart" in a second Z-chromosome missing. As a consequence, this has consequences for the frequency with which she loses any characteristic for days, it would have to prevail in fact more common in females. Now, if key performance characteristics that are recessive nature, were inherited sex-linked, would be superior to the birds, the females on average. The analysis of the AS-scores of the Federal-AS-pigeons in recent years, we recognize, however, that there be no difference in performance is!
But what if key performance characteristics were inherited sex-linked dominant and (it therefore needs only one Z chromosome, or only the W-chromosome carriers of the allele to be) would these dominant characteristics in performance-based selection of racing pigeons for centuries have been subject to enforced so strong that only very rarely should appear pigeons, which do not possess this allele. For each offspring, the so does not have an allele is, yes, right on through lower power and can be selected.
The thing with the 75%
by inbreeding it is quite possible, however, to breed pigeons that transmit secured 75% of the genome of their ancestors to descendants. This is in fact at an inbreeding coefficient of 50% of the breeding animal is the case (see also older blog posts on this topic)! He would, however, a multiple extreme inbreeding have preceded. How to reach this inbreeding coefficient, for example, if three consecutive generations of full-sibling pairs were complete. These animals then contain a Genmix their original parents (ie father and great-great-mother) is concentrated.
strong One might as well concentrate the genes of these two great-parents, if one roughly six generations in a row takes half sibling pairs, which were always paired together in this great-parents in line. This requires man 7 half-siblings (one by one sex [points to his parents to the inbred focus] and 6 of the opposite sex [per Inbred generation one]) This 7 half-siblings should therefore each have different parental counterparts, otherwise, the genotypes of the addition would occur more than once ancestors "concentrated".
could And as a third alternative, a roughly 10-fold return repeated pairing of children in one breeder and concentrate the same genes that single parents comparable animal. But I doubt very much that all these paths are breeding really useful. Because we would of course very strong risk that particularly all the bad genes were transferred to a dove, and concentrated. Moreover, in each generation would have even made an extensive breeding examination, so that solely on already time problems would arise. And finally, the inbreeding depression would most likely seal a very early failure of our efforts.
And so is the also the note by Günter Prange in this article again very valuable that we have to maintain the strain pairs very closely. But he would like to point out that he currently at eg 6 inbred such products in its inventory for a long does not consider that there was only one among them who inherited the good qualities. They all need to put to the test! And even if I already warned in so many places in my blog before the close of appearances with intrinsic value of a dove I: At this point, the selection of inbred products as an approach can be helpful. Even that has Günter Prange out in this article.
For each characteristic of a family pet, we find a direct descendant inbreeding indicates to us that at least the chromosome strand, on the "settled" for this characteristic was passed. And if we're lucky, it is precisely this chromosome strands that lead also important for the performance characteristics with them. So if very many of the features match, our chances are better, "get" the master pigeon.
population genetics for deaf fathers (Part 11) 
I must admit I am a Sponger. Every few weeks I have already read the bum copies of the magazine "The Pigeon", which my father still refers regularly. For me there was a reference to the "Journal of pigeons customer" as they are conscious of tradition still calls, since my re-start of 2006 the question.
For one, as I can so so nice bum with my father, on the other, as they unfortunately their claims to be a brieftaubenkundliche magazine, is rarely just. Too often, especially in autumn, they degenerate into a lobbyist Journal of the various camps in the association, and also the year the identical articles on topics such as "care in the Mouse", "Preparations for breeding, "" care and treatment of youngsters ",... I need only a simple version, and read again and again.
But in the 45/08 number surprised me with an article entitled "How to breed ? right "And the author of the article seemed academic weight to throw into the balance.. Prof. Dr.-Ing Gerhard Wächter Only I would have wished, however, that the editors of the magazine educates its readers about whether the academic title of author in connection with an activity in animal breeding area have been acquired, or instead, such as construction of chemical reactors. Such information would be given the force of a jet Professor Title not unimportant, because all too easy for the reader might be inclined to throw his criticism on board, as it is, after all, is a professor.
Well, I'm no professor, and in fact I have good chemistry on chemical reactions more idea than animal breeding. However, I would like to make some critical comments on this article because he is one of the rare items indeed dealing with the theme "Breeding of pigeon" in the context of population genetics:
First of all, you can see in the article the academic functioning , such as those common in higher education is: Do not write anything for which you have no source can specify, or you have not figured out myself through research or shown. As a very positive result, the author gives the reader a comprehensive list of comprehensible literature on the breeding of racing pigeons to the hand, which alone is worthy of praise. For even if not all may be references to the past state of affairs, or in substance, even now disproved, it is always advisable to have read such things in order to form an informed opinion can.
And so the article presents a fairly good summary of some of these theses sources, so that even a lazy person has read anything about it. But against the background that the author is a professor and with the title indicates, he would give an answer to the question of the "right" Zuchtweg, which is merely quote from some outdated sources that represent the majority of any scientific work, but rather represent personal opinions of the authors, clearly not enough .
It is even dangerous, too easily, the reader of his answer to this question give the status of scientific knowledge, which must be right, even if a professor writes that. His answer to the question from the title (citation: "Duch about racing pigeons with average benefits resulting from the experience only from crosses in line bred strains), and his other statements about sex-linked effects, etc. but are actually in this form is anything but a proven general scientific knowledge, and again just a personal opinion of the author, which has little in common with the actual state of knowledge on the subject.
Specifically
The author presents very well that inbreeding is useful in combination with appropriate selection, clean lines of undesirable characteristics and to establish other desired properties. Also of note, that at the crossing of two inbred lines derived F1 generation (direct children) as hybrids often have a hybrid force, which is known as heterosis-effect corresponds to certain facts. And his statement that the way is the poultry breeding, such as keeping and maintenance of two separate inbred lines, which are then used for the production of utility crossings in the F1 generation of racing pigeons breeders are not very feasible because they require large stocks, in my opinion very good and even important at this point. But the author draws many conclusions are wrong, unfortunately, because of its absoluteness.
The statement heterosis would occur only if at least one of the two was inbred strains come together in a pairing is wrong. Heterosis is just a general concept in population genetics that describes the performance increase of a breeding property that crosses the (usually) appears unrelated lines or trunks. If the offspring of such crossing in the observed properties of the breeding performance of the respective parents are, this corresponds to more power to the so-called heterosis increase (see, for example Comberg, Leibenguth, and other textbooks on population genetics). The fact that the parental lines have to be inbred, but not a prerequisite for the occurrence of heterosis!
heterosis is rather in the increase of the junction of the genome Heterozygozität children explained to the parents. This occurs certainly at the crossing of inbred lines often, but also in other combinations, such as the "crossing wild" completely unrelated individual animals, which are themselves already emerged from such matings may occur this increase. Yes, it is failing even impossible (but much less likely) to occur in the mating of unrelated animals.
is the heterosis increase, however at the crossing of inbred lines usually considerably higher than at the crossing of animals, which in itself is already crossing products. But it can not but conclude, as does the author, unfortunately, wrongly, that the breeding performance of the product must be of such a two-crossing inbred lines higher than that of the wild intersection. Why? Well, not the performance increase is the decisive factor, but the absolute level of performance. By inbreeding depression, the inbred lines could be observed such as our property in the course of generations from 100 to 90 "quality points" to be dropped. The intersection of the two lines would bring such quality junior with 105 points. The heterosis increase would be significant with 15 quality points. But could the offspring of two non-inbred parents also end up with 100 points at 105 points! The heterosis would be less the result However, equally strong.
And the fact is, not only know all knowledgeable pigeon fancier, but it also show the countless family trees of As-pigeons and service providers. Consider, for example, only the family trees of the blow Koopman. As a starting point were chosen here, in fact, essentially two inbred parent lines: Janssen and Van Loon pigeons. And the dust crossing the F1 generation, such as Eric or Beatrixdoffer showed outstanding performance. But the approach of the author of a junior following the F2 generation and the majority of the offspring of later generations have shown a worse performance in Koopman, since they provide no inbred Pigeons. Pigeons as the gentile, the Jacco and many others even national ace-pigeon show at Koopman to the present the opposite!
So: The statement of the author that bring previous inbreeding and outbreeding better racing pigeons, as is breeding other ways not only not scientifically valid, but also thousand times refuted by the practice. For the hybrid force, only a high heterozygosity is important, even where this may happen more!
also is not alone Bastard important strength for a very good racing pigeon, but also the high "density" of good genes in the genome of the animal. Because there are properties, such as the vitality (Or egg production in chickens) are attached to the hybrid force, and there are properties that do not or only to a limited extent, be due to additive gene effects.
This leads as well as the unresolved basic conflict in the breeding of pigeons, which makes it so exciting and prevents a clear answer to the initial question of the author:
for the focus of additive properties would be a high accumulation of the positive genes desirable that can also lead to an increase in homozygosity. For the hybrid force, however, a possible high Heterozygozität of the genome is desirable.
And so there It subsequently also in two "worlds", inbreeding and crossbreeding, excellent breeding stock and breeding pigeons. Shall place at the famous "Figo" by Reynaert or constitute the "Daisy" the Stieneckers strong inbreeding products, which still services being the best. Here, the inbreeding may have been the enrichment of the positive genes, but without it herauszuspalten negative recessive genes (homozygosity for this to lead). This is a cross between this Inzuchtiere with other, unrelated animals that show the homozygous "harmful genes," canceled, would not have been necessary to achieve top performance. On the other hand, the "small" by Vandenabeele an absolute cross product, and even his Parents were hybrids. He rendered himself very many very good flyers, like the Wittenbuik, the Turbo, the Picanol, ... (Which is indeed could be attributed to the hybrid force of his also in cross bred kids), but he and many of his children and grandchildren were still improving sires, the Little itself could even one of the best sires have been the seen of pigeon racing today added. And that although he and most of his children no inbreeding is directly preceded it. When little ones were so in spite of the many intersections in the run to the very good genes extremely concentrated!
luck and chance are very very important factors in breeding excellent pigeons. Therefore, the "ideal" breeding strategy can only be constantly on hand and the situation in matching strategy, which relies on the means crossing and inbreeding, without slavishly stick to unsubstantiated schemes.
about all this, the author makes several references to sex-linked effects, in which he writes as: "The hen is critical." And he leads the "Bruce Lowe'sche law" which refers to or Vansallen that attaches to the exchange between the sexes in a breeding line meaning. All three points should not also be left without comment:
Bruce Lowe, an Australian who in the 19th Century horse-breeding, the introduction of family number system structured, has formulated a scheme in which he suggests should be used as horse breeding family. This scheme to raise the "law", which also is still valid in pigeons is not only incomprehensible but very unscientific.
The author postulated that due to the fact that gender is transmitted among birds by the females for the conservation of the properties of a family pet should be zurückgepaart in the female line. Naturally, this statement, in the later reference by Vansallen. However, it is not about the question of whether certain chromosomes ever transferred to the descendants be, but the question of whether the carry one of the two paternal chromosomes Z "following" secured after the copulation.
is still not clear which and how many Gene on the sex-determining chromosomes of the pigeon sitting, and there is only one of a total of 40 chromosomes in the genome of each pigeon dar. After the independence law of Mendel, all other 39 of 40 chromosomes independent of this one inherited. What sense would it make a breeding strategy that is on only one chromosome from 40 to align? The statement that the previous pair was necessary in the female line to the (note the general wording!) Properties of a family pet to get is factually incorrect! On all 40 chromosomes of the pigeon are coded properties and since it is of no particular sex-determining to "follow" either, because of the other 40 chromosomes of the parent animal at each mating definitely some fall by the wayside.
cited at this point, the author also Vansallen (of the very good books and articles I am a big fan by the way). But in the cited source was undergoing Vansallen the temptation to concentrate on the transparency of the inheritance of the Z chromosome, the other 39 chromosomes should be ignored. In this circumstance, the translator, Dr. Arno Meyer has nevertheless expressly point in this book to just Vansallens to change all that. Can it be that Mr. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Guardian has read about this on purpose, because it would not follow his argument had they? And finally
are sex-linked inherited power characteristics of my knowledge in pigeons to date neither Identifies yet been demonstrated. And I can only recommend that the generations of mating only as an aid to tracking of a paternal chromosome-Z to see. Nothing more, nothing less. One might as well take advantage of the presence of another dominant feature (eg the gray color) to "persecution" of the chromosome strand is sitting on the gene for this purpose. What so should be slightly Bring long as it is unknown what other properties are sitting still on the "persecuted" chromosome? In individual cases, like one or the other observed coupling be a desired performance property traceable to the property will help but should not and can not build a general breeding strategy then!
should therefore readers of the article by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Guards to make the breeding in the future more difficult than it already is, and not move the gender shift in mating the center of their breeding efforts. Something does, if at all, only a very minor role in breeding excellent pigeons. And "Bruce Lowe" is an opinion of a horse breeder without any evidence, nothing more!
Another note which also fits the theme: At some point (not mentioned in the article), emphasis is placed on the so-called dam in pigeons. This is justified by genetic material, which is not stored in the nucleus, but in the mitochondria. This genetic material is always, and Although complete and unaltered, transferred only from the mother to all her children. This carries all the birds of the mitochondrial DNA of the females who appear in the classic pedigree representation at the bottom "edge." The question remains whether this fact should attach significant importance in the breeding of pigeons by trying to obtain certain mitochondrial genes in the portfolio.
To date, little is known about the functions of the mitochondrial DNA. Very large, the genetic code is not there, but compared to the nucleus. But even if this direct effect would have on the performance characteristics of a dove, after centuries of pigeon breeding and selection for their expected performance is not that we still face "worse" genes mitochodraler a pigeon. For each pigeon in existence today will be on this bottom "edge" of the family tree sometime in the past (and it was 30 generations ago!) On an outstanding or excellent breeding hen Reisetäubin . Meet And it is their mitochondrial genes could be so "bad" not been, and is found today in the same order (from very rare mutations apart) in the genome of the observed presence of dust.
So, I personally do not see any need to lie down on the mitochondrial genes more attention than all other genes. No, quite the contrary: The very high "stability" of these genes over-four generations and the centuries-long selection, I see in pigeons even many legitimate reasons to have them ignored.
might be a competent professional editing such articles, such as that of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Guard against the impression for example, by Hr. Dr. Kamphausen or universities with which the federation in terms of research in communication, for the future makes sense for such a factually incorrect, but can be avoided, scientific evidence looking article. And if it appear even more often true professional articles on the subject of pigeons, I would imagine even one day see "the pigeon" to scrounge no longer with my father, but to refer themselves.
form follows function II Shortly after the fall of traveling, I wrote this blog about one of my pups, which together with his siblings animal to the best young animals of my shock this year was one. be
But it was the two young animals on the impact that had removed most of them, designated by a pigeon breeder as physically beautiful too.
Both are missing in your back, cross the tails were placed on the fronds, and the muscles were very poorly developed (but very soft). And with these bodies they flew great, were in any weather and at any distance always among the first blow.
Now after the moult is almost complete, these two look a little better, though not really enough to claim a nice pigeon. And the tail still makes what he wants.
said in an interview with a club colleague a few weeks ago me that he would know a (very famous) doves know them well. And this pigeon experts would regularly identify at-known European RACKETS ahead very good pigeons only at their appearances. And he could predict with high certainty, who is any good, who does not. And so well that you could almost do without the travel cage for breeding test .
Well, this pigeon expert, I have also already heard and read. And much of what he says, for example, about the medical care of pigeons (he is an opponent of the drug craze even if he is a veterinarian yourself) I think is very true and important, and I am a quiet fan of this pigeon have become connoisseurs.
should But this man really as "doves Guru 'successful, you can easily find in pigeons on external characteristics, their inner values? That would indeed be something that is difficult to sum up my thesis in line that can not externals like wings, eyes drawings, muscle or spinal form close to the performance of a racing pigeon, but that the travel cage is the best indicator.
Or was the story of the club members only "half truth"?
I firmly believe that it (on any route) an ideal type is deaf, and that an ideal type, it is easier than a deviating type. But I do not think the physical ideal types to be crucial. But I think (providing health and shape) and the orientation of talent, the motivation to fly directly home and dove for the intelligence of a very significant factors that make up an ace. I also believe that the ideal pigeon body has not been defined unequivocally, here there are also today still top growers certainly have opposing views when it comes to this ideal (see the discussions over the length and depth of the sternum, or the discussion the shape of the Endschwingen and the discussion about the ideal Muskelapperat).
If we had a physically perfect pigeon, so were their qualities useless if the dove is stupid!
As a veterinarian, our "pigeon expert" first of all a very keen eye for the health status of their Dove, which can easily go beyond, what does a normal breeders. It will also probably have a special talent to see details concerning the muscle quality, dia not see other breeders. But I think there will probably be more like the difference of a masseur at a non-trained muscle expert, and not so much as the difference between a Anatomists to an ordinary man. Training condition, relaxation, excessive strain and all such things will remain hidden from him probably not.
But can we conclude from these talents, but so that we can determine the genetic value to external features. Or at least this special pigeon expert? I can very well imagine that he clearly sees more of a dove, or rather as an average breeder can, and maybe even see more than most top breeders can. "Look in the head," But he can not secure. I also believe that many of the things that he can judge appearance, the result of environmental influences, and therefore allow only partial conclusions on the potential inheritance.
And so I am sure that the miracle stories that are told about the qualities of this selection pigeons connoisseur, by some growers to appearances faith was added, sealed in order to support their theses. And I can even imagine that this pigeon expert himself and his abilities also different in that it classifies as miracles expressed.
Anyway. I remain firmly convinced that it is not purposeful to fix the Selktion of pigeons to externals such as eye drawings, body geometry and wing geometry. To Breeding assessment is to be preceded always count the trip basket. And then even sometimes a "ugly" in our eyes dove is very successful, one should not hesitate to test out in the breed!
For example, if the breeder of the desired spring shape Endschwingen indeed the decisive factor for the success of each pigeon, I doubt it. And I would like to conclude two, I think are impressive examples:
This picture shows the wings of "Birdy" the breeder Sudhoff van Beers. It was 1.As-Dove Sun City 2008th Birdy flew with the wings on all flights this very demanding one-loft races, the highest ever score achieved, and also provided on the tough final race over 500km with the 10th Place a top result from. But it has in the 7th and 8 Endschwinge major outbreaks! These springs were certainly affected by aerodynamic (even swinging her four Endschwingen not the same length or at the end to the outside). So if the form of Endschwingen is so very important, as we read in so many books and articles, and over again how Birdy was able to prevail against thousands of other young animals? And at the high rate funds this race is not expected that all other breeders have reported no top-pigeons.
Not Convinced? Well then there's this wing:
This pigeon has massive damage to the spring Endschwingen, the 7th Rocker is even canceled a third. And yet this pigeon flew one eighth of the breeder Waldow Price in the final race 500km from Sun City and a major prize home!
(Source of images: http://www.scmdpr.com/)
Yes we can! A big word 
Do not worry, I will now not also be political on this blog. I have, I must admit, to this day do not work with the substance of what Barack Obama promises everything / promised added.
( Photo: Obama Campaign )
No, I'm just thrilled by the idea that it is indeed possible that in a country where creationists still literally in the act of creation, as in The Bible describes faith, believe
in which many people even the Grand Canyon was created during running of the Flood,
call in the still tens of millions of people people with different skin color as "nigger",
in which the application death penalty, Guantanamo, and torture as an interrogation method to be defended publicly,
that it is possible in a country that newcomer African-American majority is elected president.
If you only want, then unimaginable is possible!
in my blog articles on the future of the pigeon sport, "I have a core point attempts as the most important in securing the future to highlight: the acquisition of new members to our sport. And as a very important prerequisite for this, I led the abolition of the structural disadvantages of small pigeon populations. For current breeders with winter flocks of 30-40 birds as much less chance of an RV Cup or one of the many other "best X doves" have to win championships. Once one considers the number of take into pigeons Meisterschaftsmodi set as a criterion would be with, here is a marked improvement in the opportunities for the small stocks, where!
But whenever the discussion with other (! In most successful) farmers comes to speak to this point, I observe the following behaviors:
1) The fact that for example, 50 pigeons set more opportunities in five 2-digit on offer the end of the season as 15 seeded pigeons shall be contributed simply and totally without logic.
2) The withdrawal of the incentive for high number of pigeons is considered a threat to the revenue of the RVen. When I try to portray that, ultimately, not the pigeons bear the costs, but the breeder, it is not so relvant how many pigeons are eingekorbt, but as many people as breeders of the flights on which to spread the cost (no matter how the allocation formula may look here, see also believe Blog post "Future Concept Part 1"), this is simply ignored.
3) It tries to quickly change the subject.
4) The problem is shown to be irrelevant. Say, they say almost: It is important that in our sport currently has only set the breeder with many pigeons, too realistic chances of the main competitions!
one asks but these breeders in which farmers would prefer to establish a dove for my breeding: From large breeders winter population of 200 pigeons, Abo-RV-champion and an AS-bird or a small breeder with 40 doves winter population which, although still only 3 to 5 RV Masters, but is also an AS-bird, the answer is: "From the small breeder". The successful small farmers, it shows the great yet is clearly the more attractive shock!
It is therefore well aware that this little impact is the better impact, and yet you denied him the equal chance at the 1 Championship!
Many of these farmers who are in these discussions behave as described above and argued elsewhere speak as if one saw that it was time to do something for the pigeon racing, as he put yes in the crisis. They like to donate a good pigeon, or ten, or even give the RV a few thousand dollars for the Kabi. But from my point of view, they do yet so nothing sustainable to maintain the pigeon sport. It may actually put the good intention behind it, but it is objectively on maintaining the status quo that comes to their best! If
but have small impacts less likely and it is also more difficult for the general mass, pigeon racing to operate with a large population, there should be aware of how dangerous this status quo is the pigeon sport for the sustainable survival!
The number of those who can only hold a small stock, namely the huge and potential members of this group is given away by the current situation!
These are people who are not so much money to spend on pigeons, people who are prevented because of zoning regulations on larger stocks, people in urban areas, people with a series of small houses and little land, people with physical limitations of cost (more pigeons more power ), people with time limitations (more pigeons cost more time ),... But
these people are not at all recognized this potential more than pigeon breeders!
But who has he identified in the boom time of the pigeon sport, the majority of breeders? Was it the big breeders, or was it the farmers with small holdings?
had time to play the "small farmers" also encourage pigeons, even if he had with the "best X Championships" no chance. Because a) he had a large number of many other "little" side. And b) was the money play a main driver and not the championship. Both are no longer the case! Many small farmers so listen to either frustrated or not even start because they think that with so few pigeons It makes no sense anyway.
I asked all breeders:
What speaks against it, to eliminate the structural division before large shocks in the major championships, by amending this Meisterschaftsmodi?
presses you do not even around to answer that question! Answer it honestly from yourself! And then you wonder, you really want that pigeon racing is maintained in Germany, or do you just prefer that nothing changes?
The status quo is, however, on short or long ohnenhin change (see number of new and young farmers in the RVen)! Who is this realization denied, and just trying to preserve the status quo says, virtually, 'After me the deluge!
the receipt of the pigeon sport, we really need to do and not do just that! But we need to change and be willing to forego one or the other cherished advantage!
WE HAVE ONLY WANT HONEST, YOU CAN ALSO GET SOME!
I write this blog for just over 10 weeks. But a few days ago I discovered a contribution in correcting the system notice of Blogger.com, I would "release" a comment. So far it has escaped me completely, accumulate in the system where the votes reader comments. And it turned out that this comment is already waiting there a few weeks on its "release" from me. No wonder that I have no comments on my blog receive if the run up here and wait until a "release" from me, I thought. And so I was the first to comment on my blog, of course, pleased - for the moment.
because the comment included a violent attack: "... have seldom been so much contempt for the pigeon under the cover of the pigeon hobby, like on your blog ... I'm talking to you, however, any love for the pigeons ... " (See comment to the blog post "How to Rabbits "). Now it's not that I take everything to heart what I take people as to the head. And in my response comment, I then at once if my lack of understanding of these massive attacks expressed. But I admit, it made me continue to be employed in particular the question of what the violence of this reaction may have triggered
I think the key word of this conflict is "Love of animals" and this word contains a very big word.?. "love" . In my blog I represent continuously the view that to improve the performance of a portfolio, the performance of pigeons pigeons need to be evaluated, and on that basis a selection of breeding animals is carried out. And I think between those two words, "selection" and "love" is the great tension founded.
Perhaps we have all dreamed of unconditional "love." A "love" which does not align to the criteria and standards, but by itself exists. Who of us would like to have people like to experience at first hand that he is loved not just for appearances, his intellect or his likes. So viewed, I can understand the comment, and his violence very well. And if "love of animals defined by the author of the commentary as such, in principle, unconditional love of animals, give I it right that I probably feel no such "animal love" for pigeons.
But I think with such a view of "animal love" stuff is overlooked. First of all, I think it is an illusion that we "love" free of selection conditions. Not all people we encounter, we can bring the same "love" towards. Some we liked externals do not we find some stupid, some behave repellent, ... And what our affection towards animals is concerned, we're all picky. Who can fatten already the tapeworm in your own intestines, skin who do not flatten the mosquito, which robs a night of sleep, and Who wants to pet the neighbor's aggressive dog, if this flätscht the teeth? make love or even "love" like all aware of certain conditions, or unconsciously.
my opinion, not "love" but "respect" or "Caution" should be the central word in this debate. I was to all people "respect" and "respect" have placed in, whether I like or "love" could do. And just as I was to take every animal "respect" and "Caution" against. That would fall to me when tapeworm admittedly not exactly easy, but kill a annoying mosquito or fly the country, but her first to draw on the limbs would I never in my mind. And beyond my bedroom mosquitoes may make what they want. For me, the respectful treatment of animals, a large part of what I mean by "animal love".
As pigeon fanciers do I need the animals entrusted to me. I can not neglect them, they need to send good housing conditions, and let them live out their natural instincts. I carry this responsibility that they are not exposed to demands that cause them pain or suffering. This I must as a pigeon breeder always keep in mind when I basketing doves to an aerial race. Because I can only put the pigeons, the upcoming effort, without prejudice Connector end. And I know that I am doing this very carefully, for I have much respect for these wonderful animals, regardless of whether they meet my breeding goals, or not! To further breeding only the very good are used, but this is the basic principle of a directed animal breeding.
and performance principles have nothing to do with a lack of respect or even contempt to do. They are almost everywhere, be it in nature ("survival of the fittest" is the most glaring example of the performance principle at all), in animal breeding, in school, in sports or work.
In addition, I would, how I feel about the pigeon, nevertheless still be described as a kind of "love." Injured animals during free flight, or by birds of prey attacks, I suffer with them and worry. Pigeons come from an aerial race back later, I find myself constantly at a lookup on the beat, whether the missing animals have not arrived yet. When pigeons in free flight at the house, or when feeding in shock somersaults for joy, my heart schägt higher. And I think it's all real pigeon breeders!
And therefore I can the charge of this reader, I would doves "despise" to object only in the strongest!
pigeon racing in Germany. Institutional Strategy (Part 3) 
What has to do the image with the vegetables from the farmer's market stand with pigeon racing may, perhaps, some questions. No, I is not about the purchase of vitamin-rich greens of our favorites. Similar to a vegetable stand in competition with the other stands on the market, pigeon racing is in competition with other leisure activities.
Time and again we hear that the young pigeon racing has problems, because "young people" today do so many other hobbies much better. Now, in the heyday of the pigeon sport in Germany, the leisure industry was not as developed as today. Life was more than it is today dominated by work and a hobby was a little "vacation-replacement" because the could not afford many.
The world has changed considerably since those days. The range of leisure activities has since exploded, that is, we have only one of hundreds of vegetable stalls in this market. This fundamental change in the pigeon racing is in my view not responding to this day. We continue to hope that the potential "customers" are unaware of the hundreds of other unerringly just our vegetable stand. Which unfortunately did not happen. derive from the catastrophic
membership development (especially when one considers the number of new members) is then from that no one wants to run more pigeon racing (Read: that our vegetables is bad). But that is WRONG!
has neither diminished the fascination of the pigeon to us breeders, there are other conditions, such as the ownership of residential property which for recreational purposes, disposable income, the amount of available free time, and the need of human nature to be close to or to measure the playful competition in recent decades become less!
On the contrary, much of it is getting better! As noted in the previous parts already, there are certainly some internal reasons that hinder the attraction of the racing pigeons sport sharply. To stay in the picture: We should as soon as possible to take the worm-eaten carrot from his stand. But another very important thing for a future receipt of the pigeon sport is it that we finally "get open your mouth and make ourselves felt in the market of leisure activities. Say, it's up to us to make active advertising in our cause, and not to wait for someone Us "stumbles"!
Concrete prospective speech
If I want to sell something, I must first think about me, who could it have an interest. Because then I can concentrate my efforts on this group. For us, this means that we first identify the potential buyers for the pigeon racing must.
The surveys have provided the first evidence for this: most breeders are intrigued by the Briefttaube as such. Say: people that animals are very interested in already for small animals and small animals have contact are promising prospects. Concrete advertising should therefore be aimed at, for example, small animal breeders, their clubs and associations.
Furthermore, the analysis has shown that many deaf athletes to interrupt their hobby even more often (have to). But there is a certain "addiction", the former pigeon breeders again can be "re-offend," because our little friends are just as fascinating. And just here is a very promising clientele hidden:
people who had in her life already contact with pigeon racing, but have either stopped, or until today do not have a concrete starting with their own pigeons and whipped thought had. This group is, in my opinion, the most promising, to inspire people (again) for our hobby.
But even these people, we need to know first of all, so they can be motivated by concrete response and relief efforts to start a pigeon breeder's career. need therefore our structures and mechanisms with which we identify these people and then then specifically promote our hobby to. We need therefore clearly a centrally controlled marketing its own behalf. And this even more urgent than, say, a magazine or the Association clinic, which we already have. Not that I have anything against the aforementioned facilities would, quite the opposite, but our livelihoods finally has the highest priority. Many
especially the older sports fans know today exactly who was once all breeders, whose father or grandfather who had pigeons. This knowledge is valuable. We should as soon as possible start to collect this data and to obtain name and before this knowledge is lost completely. starting in a concerted action and request from the "Marketing", and the RegVs Rven broken down on the clubs could happen.
we would have these names and addresses so we could specifically reach out to these people, and create a base of information on pigeon racing and the possibilities of its use of this hobby, where applicable, interest. This could be invitations for families and interested parties within the framework of "open days" at operation sites or breeders. This could be a personal his address by local farmers, this could be sending an information and image brochure, which serves as an appetizer and provided with contact addresses is his. This could be the concrete application of "final race parties" at One-Loft Races. This is very much with which we bring our people back in touch with our hobby. And it would certainly not miss its effect, the spark is back on the odd skip! We just need to finally begin.
lighthouse projects
We live in the media age. If we want to use the media for us, we have to offer interesting things, so to speak Lighthouses that shine out the theme pigeon racing far beyond the reach of our own contacts. One possible example: A high-level bets (with national honor connected) One-Loft-Race, also on the external will (as it were by anyone) was adopted, and is the career and final race prepared for television.
course this is just one idea of many possibilities. If you look at the thought of opening that the curiosity, the people who passed by often show our hobby when they walk by our shock, or watch our Auflässe during training, apply to many people, and that this interest be quite interesting to media can arrive safely reached more good ideas.
homework
course, it is important that we do our homework first. First, then, as already said that we take the bad carrots from the stand, and take our structural problems in attack. Second, we facilitate the potential buyers and new starters directly with ready solutions to enter as much as possible (see "starter package" in the conceptual part 2). So do not the second before the first step, just start running and advertising, and those interested but then let alone with our problems . Such a thing would even be counterproductive.
Summary
The written in my last blog things may appear to some readers too far away from today's reality, or simply not feasible. I am aware that I as a relative "new breed", the not so very long had insights into the current structures and mechanisms of the pigeon sport in Germany, a little "out of" arguing and come to my conclusions.
Still, I think that this particular view from outside, without the many years can lead (for some often disillusioning) Tagesgeschaft experience in the clubs, and RVen RegVs to good approaches because not every new idea immediately produces a negative association and defensive reaction.
I would like to summarize the main idea at this point again:
first The ultimate goal for which everything else is must be based, sustainable production of new varieties
second Pigeons are so fascinating that they make almost addicted. That is a huge opportunity for us!
third Prolonged dispute among breeders on Auflässe, travel directions, travel plans are a current major problem. The key to defusing this situation lies in the strengthening of the personal responsibility of the individual breeder.
4th The free choice of RV, and a recognition of price flight results that are achieved with different operators would defuse many points of contention, and would create an incentive to attractive offers from various competing RVen. This enhances the attractiveness of the sport as a whole.
5th A third of younger breeders have time problems with the weekly pressure of having to participate in the journey to achieve the main competitions. Coating results in all Meisterschaftsmodi, down to zip-level should be introduced so that farmers without problems can sometimes expose a weekend.
6th The cost of your own cabbage lead in RVen and TGs to harmful for the sport battle for the traveling shots. A separation of the transport of the pigeons from the other tasks of the RVen and a national summary of the transports could free the RVen from the need to see the breeders in the first place only as a source of income for hardly yet to be funded Kabi. A transport organization could approach various weekly Auflassorte in the requested directions. By making optimal use of transport capacity, transport costs shares for each breeder would be reduced drastically.
7th The existing system of incentives for large pigeon stocks, which by the championships with scores such as "X best pigeons" set is hurt, the pigeon sport enormous, since small stocks are equivalent to fewer opportunities. Thus, if the starting investment for the new breed of very high if he wants to be competitive. Also, space, support costs and running costs increase with the size of the stock. While small stocks have similar opportunities, it would have new breed much easier. All Meisterschaftsmodi must therefore be redesigned so that small stocks have similar opportunities. (In their own right: With a travel team of up to 48 mature animals benefit from the current incentive systems, and have yet to a change!)
8th A further reduction of the starting threshold for developing new varieties can be Ingenieur by a starter package, in which a favorable impact of functioning, along with checklists, information and guides for the new beginning offered. Likewise, a lower pool used equipment for beginners to start investing.
9th To attract new breeders, we must actively engage in marketing its own behalf. We must not stay longer passive. A central body to coordinate marketing activities and control them. These include, collection of addresses of potential buyers, providing information leaflets, Creation of a "starter package", starting from concerted actions ...
10th With the help of flagship projects to stimulate the interest of the media and so promote (more or less subtle) for the pigeon sport.
pigeon racing in Germany. Institutional Strategy (Part 2) 
The interviews (see analysis section 1) have shown that conflict and lack of sociability are counted among breeders of the main problems for the pigeon sport. The main causes of the unrest between the breeders are issues that have to do directly with the tour events: the direction of travel decisions, Auflassentscheidungen, discussions of the advantages and disadvantages of geographical location and on travel plans.
are Naturally, this very conflict-pregnant "theme, but the question remains: Can you help here by structural changes to avoid conflicts?
I am of the opinion: Absolutely! The magic word is responsibility.
more responsibility A typical breeder who sends in the current structures his pigeons in a RV is subject to many constraints: First, the Association and the RegV given by Meisterschaftsmodi without coating results and finally the RV by their travel plan that weekly flights will be held, what distances these flights must have, and will be sent in the direction the pigeons.
Second, the breeder can reach almost every major championship only if he participates every week at flights this RV. Therefore, a breeder is still not truly free in his decision to put his pigeons on a competition flight, or not, because he risks in most championships losing the fruits of the season. For this important reason, feel the farmers forced the stronger / betrayed / damaged when flights do not run optimally.
If there is a very tough flight, although for this weekend before, not the ideal weather was reported, the Auflassleiter Guilt. Blows a very strong west wind, which the breeders in the west of RegV leaves little chance, the great flight Stupid community debt. Takes a 200 km Mitwindflug bankruptcy only 4 minutes, are too many of these stupid short tours itinerary. is drawn out of the bankruptcy case of a 600km flight over two hours, or possibly stay in this particular animals, are too many long tours itinerary. If the needed 600 just on a hot weekend, the fixed date in the itinerary debt. Moreover, the association is of course always to be found among these culprits! There are enough reasons to dispute a season.
could
Two important paradigm shift here contribute significantly to defusing the conflict:
1) Every breeder shall send to each RV (every club) its environment, where it wants. If desired, simultaneously in several RVen on a weekend. For all championships across the RV level (club level) should the breeder all-won results of all air shows in the standings bring satisfying to defining minimum requirements for growers count and maximum geographical extent of the price list the area (see below).
2) There must be at the major championships at all levels results in the string modes, so that today's force, each week a Flights to participate must cease to exist, remains .
now has the individual breeder to choose whether he wants to suspend one or the other flight eventually, since it the weather on the weekend, some feel uncomfortable. Is he still, it's his decision and his responsibility. His attack against the Auflassleitung will have to be mild, because he is conscious of its responsibility. And if he stinks, then it sends containing even a few flights with another club.
not Like a breeder of the travel plan of their own RV, so he can create himself through the use of flights from other clubs "your" itinerary. He can make as a travel program for its Pigeons define that his taste is closest. Who wants to do without 600 sent on that same weekend, the 400 neighbor-RV who like to send more than 600 km, seeks just a few such flights together around him. Anyone with south-east is not satisfied, just for a flight operators, the Southwest offers.
The consequences of this paradigm shift can be imagined from the perspective of the current system out may be difficult, but one thing is immediately apparent: The far greater autonomy of each breeder for his personal travel itinerary would some of these central points of conflict defused be. Finally, through the direct competition among different RVen and clubs to each other to try all of these suppliers to be more attractive than those published in their neighborhood. Whether through internal Meisterschaftsmodi attractive, whether through a more pleasant environment, such as barbecue and beer bar.
Here some things are possible. Providers with good "benefits" are gaining participants, the worse lose participants and do exercise more, or they disappear from the scene.
By attractive internal championships of the respective organizers try to bind the individual breeders regularly in itself. Increasing the attractiveness of the offer would be overall result. And that could be beneficial for the development of the pigeon sport. To the critics critics may argue that in some parts of Germany today is hardly possible to provide a single zip on the legs, and that therefore there is hardly to the discussed options will come. Now available in all areas where farmers leave today already at the end of the season, the RV and move to a neighboring zip, obviously existed choices. If in some areas, but currently there is no choice, that does not preclude the growth of options would, if here would come the "free choice". Forced paralyzes and freedom arouses unexpected powers, this is nothing new. And when left still remain areas in which no choice possibilities, then so be it. Against the low density breeding in these areas can not approach directly accomplish something here and be a cure! This fact may not be a pretext for a stop.
Another objection might be that would eventually collapse under the "competitive pressure" single RVen altogether because they may also lose their last breeder. If it then so then this RV was not attractive enough. It makes no sustainable Sense of an unattractive RV by constraints keep alive artificially. Breeders who are dissatisfied then hear just completely on the pigeon racing, but not preserved these "unattractive" RV.
a "breakdown" of an RV for cost reasons, would also take place not when (as in "Institutional Strategy Part 1") proposes to hold the RVen not own Kabi more, but book only Kabi capacity with a comprehensive transportation organization.
Additional positive effects addition to the reduction of disputes by strengthening the freedom of choice and the responsibility of each individual breeder and increase the attractiveness of the offer would offer these two paradigm shift additional positive effects, the other previously mentioned current problems of the deaf sport would defuse.
Above all, here is the enormous flexibility mentioned, which would thus become a breeder. It could for example expose even two weekends in order to take a vacation with the family and then make up two necessary results for the 400 RegV middle distance championship in one weekend at two events. A major obstacle especially for the younger breeders might be eliminated. Finally, roughly 1/3tel of the surveyed farmers problems with the scheduling constraints of today's travel system!
also animal welfare could likely be accommodated, if the individual farmers freely than hitherto on a bet the animals decides, depending on the weather or the form of animals, and the distances he would expect his pigeons, because he just knows best.
The "collective shipments" of the parent organization of transport, it would also become a geordeteren Auflassgeschehen on the weekends than it is today. For example, a transfer to Würzburg pigeons of clubs from Munster to take up casting. Some use it as a 150km flight, other than 300km flight. But ultimately, is behind the various price lists of individual providers, a common conveyance, which would be easy to coordinate with the other Sammelauflässen the weekend and is due to the increased pigeons number good training and selection criteria to the pigeons, although the price list of the individual operator after any Breeders only a few hundred animals / includes dozens.
restrictions It is clear that must be defined in such a system of freedom but standards for the validity of price lists. It should particularly defined limits of the maximum geographic extent of a price list be because a very large price list area would otherwise be too sensitive to weather and the results would therefore very distorted (see the article "Location and wind" in the blog).
It should be noted here that the present situation, will be made in the approval of price lists only to minimum numbers and pigeon breeder's figures are too high approval limits very counterproductive. For by breeders in poor areas, the breeder of a large area to be forced into a price list, which is then justified by its own weather dependent sports can hardly be. One limitation of the "geographic expansion" of a price list from a sporting View, a higher priority than the minimum number or minimum pigeon breeder number .
In addition, it is so that both the RegVs, and the Association would retain the definition of single parent championships important driving force in the hand, despite all the freedoms of the breeder. Thus, for example, by championship conditions in which counted for various clubs on the same day only as different flights would if they had different Auflassorte, uncontrolled and specifically any "double" of a flight can be prevented by a Auflassort through the use of different providers. Could also be set for example by a mode for an all-around championship an incentive to continue to feed all possible distances.
Nevertheless more freedom of choice and personal responsibility for the breeders would be a key to conflict avoidance, scheduling flexibility and increase the attractiveness of the flights on offer, and thus an important step towards the preservation of the pigeon sport .
pigeon racing in Germany. Institutional Strategy (Part 1) 
In recent years much has changed in the German pigeon racing. There have been redesigned districts and county boards to regional associations, and there were championship conditions and minimum conditions of flights almost on a yearly basis discussed and changed. But it has to me seems that all these changes have been aimed at preserving the sport of pigeon racing in Germany from further decay, but were detailed solutions to any detailed issues.
The oldest bird on our shock is currently 17 years old, and when I look at it as, I get sad. could be because it makes me very thoughtful that youngsters will I grow 2009 if they reach his age, probably still experience the end of the pigeon sport in Germany if we do not address the fundamental problems quickly and effectively!
All future measures must be subordinated to an existential goal: sustainable attract new members to the pigeon racing .
For if it once is not enough members for the travel business, then the mode of the German Cup, the minimum size of price lists, the question of whether there will find a carrier pigeon exhibition in Dortmund and Kassel was or how high the association contribution may be, .. . unnecessary. The analysis (see Part 2) has shown that such a membership situation is inevitable, if not practically non-controlled immediately. For the traditional route through which the pigeon fanciers to pigeon breeders were, namely, the "father to son," works for decades no longer, and a collection of varieties of the group finds more than 40 years instead of almost, even though just had this age group the best conditions: family planning and career is in the bag, often already acquired property and finances are not so tense, as in a 20-30 year-olds.
, the analysis also demonstrated that there are huge obstacles for someone who wants to do with our wonderful hobby:
- very high running costs, but especially very high start-up costs for new start
- Strong unrest and frequent quarrels among the farmers
- Organizational problems the weekly duty to price flights
cost reduction to the breeder page Most of the costs incurred on the side of the breeder is directly dependent on the number of kept pigeons: the cost of the food, extra feed, vaccinations, treatments, the necessary size of the strike ...
a sustainable cost reductions on the part of farmers is therefore accessible only via a reduction in stock size, which is necessary for the effective performance of the pigeon sport, .
is often mentioned here as a counter argument, but everyone that much one way or could be as little pigeons, as he wants, and should expose the breeders there any compulsion. This is my own opinion of course! But it will see that there are currently almost a compulsion to large stocks! All championships, where the X best birds / female / age ... of a shock to obtain the championships include, give breeders with large herds of a systematic advantage, this is out of question. And they make up almost all of the majority of breeders relevant Championships (especially the typical RV Meisterschaftsmodi).
If I start to pigeon racing, I would have chances to Championships or I could also breed pigeons. I address myself to a winter population of only 40 pigeons, now I know almost immediately, so that I may be very difficult, if anything can be RV-master, as long as there get the top 5 birds of a blow in the standings. For there will also compete farmers who bring their own already 40 widower at the start.
for pigeons with high numbers in the price list shows a finer grading of AS-points so that an attractive price lists with large numbers of pigeons top breeders, since there are four top prices often higher scores can be collected. The "Olympics formula" to calculate the points for participation entitled to Olympics, favored large pigeon numbers. Thus have we summarize
currently in Germany without doubt a strong incentive to place large numbers doves, pigeons and large numbers gathered in price lists. I personally am over large pigeon numbers on a flight, it gives me a little more the feeling of having to compete against large competitors. But we must not forget that the large number of pigeons determines the competition, but the underlying number of breeders. Because if for example, 20 farmers are represented in a Preislise, there are 20 competitors, no matter whether any breeder set in section 10 or 30 pigeons pigeons added. However, see the Price list of 600 pigeons from optically better than the price list of 200 pigeons.
by these thinkers, we need to get away without fail! not the number of pigeons in Germany will secure our future, but the number of breeders in Germany. cost reduction on the part of the breeder says always reduce the size of the stock necessary to success! Critics love, I know what you're thinking, but about money basket, I will later comment was left of me, fail to take it! In order to reduce
the hurdle for developing new varieties and to as many breeders the successful execution of our existing Hobbies enable financially in the future, must urgently at all levels existing incentive system for large stocks of pigeons and their systematic CEDAW be narrowed Championships. In all Championships must also traveling with 10 pigeon breeders similar opportunities for the achievement of each championship, have pigeon breeders like traveling with 100! I personally think this paradigm shift for the core of a successful strategy for the future!
also allows a smaller inventory and a lot more people on their land for a (short) beat build. For here today to restrict a local Development plans, have become smaller land parcels and the current judgments dramatically in relation to the exercise of stock sizes to intolerable possibilities of a pigeon sport. And to these changes (especially in urban areas) of pigeon racing and today, does not respond.
Let's remember at this point but also one about how "great" the stocks of most growers in the '50s and '60s were when the pigeon sport experienced a huge boom?
cost reduction on the part of RVen In connection with a discussion of pigeon numbers reflex repeatedly cited the basket of money as an argument. It has now internalized by the breeders so strong that pigeons less mean on a flight a higher basket of money they conclude, that fact is to be equated with higher travel costs per year. Let me be very clear: that 's stupid! WHICH IS NOT SO CLEARLY!
Travel costs are a breeder or less its share of the travel costs of his RV. These costs are mainly a RV of fixed factors (such as depreciation of the cabbage, insurance, driver ,...) from Entgeld. And the most important non-fixed costs depend on the driving distance of the cabbage. There is no cost of RV, fall with an increasing number of pigeons were transported! A high number of transporting pigeons never lowers the cost of a RV! Rather, the costs increase by even , as by a higher weight consumed the cabin more fuel, it will need more food, cleaning takes longer for a flight, they need more boards, increase the vehicle could wear, ...
All costs of RV must be worn by members of an RV. This means the amount of the share of a single breeder in the cost of RV depends primarily on the number of farmers into an RV, not the number of pigeons . This Breeders to put more pigeons, a higher share of these costs take the money basket was introduced as an allocation of costs per pigeon. So, if all breeders send fewer pigeons would change the worst case, this allocation formula, but not the average costs of the breeder.
I hope it has arrived at last and the last reader of these lines, for that time and again by leaders in the RVen, RegVs and the Association cited "basket money financing" argument when it comes to the highest possible pigeon numbers argue , makes me almost despair, as there is any logic bar!
When the Distribution of the costs of an RV also continue to make NOW LIKE that farmers with larger herds have a larger share of the cost is zip, nothing in the way. Alternative to a deaf-related basket money could, however, the number of issued association rings, the size of the winter stock or other criteria are used. Here imagination is called for, but not stubborn clinging to old practices that are a fundamental renewal in the way!
It is up already become clear: the largest single cost of an RV is created by our own Kabi. I do not want to know how many of the disputes among farmers, between and within RVen RegVs it is due to the RVen try somehow reinzubekommen the costs of their own Kabi. As farmers who switch to an RV assets (monetary system objects), there are travel plans to the existence question for RVen.
The trip cost shares of the breeders to the cost of RVen have already been several hundred € / year. To reduce costs to the breeders page is therefore imperative to reduce costs on the side of RVen. In the medium term, the development of membership in the RVen anyway not allow more that RVen also each maintain their own Kabi. The sooner we realize this and find a cheaper form of organization the better it is for the pigeon sport.
In many other countries (eg Netherlands, Belgium, Austria), we find good examples of how to do it a lot cheaper: the transportation of pigeons is organized and funded across. The RVen (clubs) are there a summary of their pigeon breeders used together, but they are no longer a collection of breeders who have to finance their own mandatory Kabi. Would
of an overarching organization Kabi transport capacity made available, and different RVen would book a transportation contingent in that organization would have several advantages. The Transport organization can make several in a RVen Kabi for a much better utilization of the cabbage. And this is the key to cost reduction is: Maximum use of cabbage!
dignity in addition to such a transport organization as Solidarity Pact of all breeders in a region or even the best understood throughout Germany, could mean transportation costs to be everywhere the same. This could contribute to the self-accelerating decline of transport costs by exploding pigeon sport in breeding poor areas receive.
would also travel through similar in the different RVen the "War of the members," currently taking place between some RVen (see different Honorable court on § 10 of the Articles of Association to stop).
a disadvantage, some readers are sure to cite the loss of cherished independence in the above procedure. But first, those of self RVen is already no longer can survive very long, and the formation of larger transport communities interpret the above development even today already. Second, this independence has led to today auflässt any RV behind another bush. Cruising swarms are always (as in this travel year noted particularly painful) was responsible for very serious flight paths. There was even an extra Association Commission established to stem this proliferation of Auflässen and Auflassorten and coordinate. A step in the above direction would help so several problems simultaneously, to decrease. Further cost reduction for beginners Not only the running costs, but especially the start-up costs for new starters today are problematic. If we do our homework, so it is appealing again to start with a small doves stands as well so it is still real chances for championships, we can facilitate the launch of a new breed down significantly by an additional launch costs can reduce.
Possible support are here:
1) collection of working order, second-hand equipment ascertaining numerical and impact within a regional association, which is then provided new breeding cost / free of charge for a fresh start is available. Because, unfortunately, always strikes are resolved and sports fans are dying, will decrease the amount of this used equipment tend to take place. In particular, potential new varieties with low funding (and this need not always be young people only!) Could thus be a start much easier. The central collection of the "Parks for used equipment" for newcomers to our sport has the advantage that there is an existing permanent focal point on this issue. This service on potential new variety can then also apply accordingly and make public. Would be the image to start with the pigeon sport, would work against very expensive, effective!
2) could be for a small winter population of 40 pigeons as surely a kind of "PEOPLE'S SHOCK 'construct. This could be produced cheaply especially if the association as a parent organization that blow in the form of a starter package (for example, along with checklists and tools, such as building applications, permits and drawings for an information brochure with basic knowledge about the successful exercise of the pigeon sport) applies and "marketed" . For thus could be deducted correspondingly large quantities. But it is important that these "people's strike" must make a successful and growing travel. All the necessary elements for the effective performance of the pigeon sport must be represented in shock. And he must be flexible openable (because small) are . One round of very experienced top breeders and impact manufacturers you should definitely develop a very good concept!
With such people, so refer the necessary investment in the first blow would be possible low turn out. And through accompanying measures, such as help with planning and approval of the shock and about basic rights like the attitude of the pigeons could, the initial hurdle for new breeding stock to be reduced drastically!
pigeon racing in Germany. Analysis (Part 2) In the previous part I discussed the results of a survey that asked about the biggest obstacles to the pigeon sport. Two important aspects of this survey, I Moeche again highlight detail. First, almost 41% of the high costs reported in the performance of the pigeon sport, the other nearly 51% referred to the age structure as a major obstacle.
If the Pigeon racing (too) expensive? Almost always, when talking about the pigeon sport in this day and age, is also referred to the "high cost" to help us make this hobby. In order not simply to repeat Oftgenanntes but to try to quantify the situation so that appropriate approaches can be identified for change, I asked more detailed.
give How much do we really pigeon breeder for a year like this for our pigeons? Since the stocks are very different and also vary strongly seasonal, was asked about the spending, which could per pigeon, which overwinters, is currently paid. Since a large part today's cost items actually held the proportion of derAnzahl pigeons depends (basket funds, food, products, injections, rings should ,...), electronic rings allow the result of approximate indicator of the actual monthly cost of our hobby.
If we assume an average herd size of 80 animals in the winter type, about 20% of farmers not more than 100 € per month (1200 € / year) as the running costs of their pigeons. 100, - € per month is roughly equivalent to a 700 km trip by car, or a pack of cigarettes every two days. pigeon racing, even in a cost-reduced version is not free, but safe for the majority of the population currently affordable. It is also found that it is basically made possible to meet with a small amount realtiv the running costs of our hobby.
The fact that 80% of respondents spend significantly more (roughly 45%, even more than double) for our hobby monthly shows also that there is still a willingness to pay exists under the existing breeders for their hobby, the part well above the minimum of roughly 100, - € per month is out. Comparing the current operating costs for the pigeon racing with the cost of other hobbies (such as skiing, Tennis, surfing, a more expensive car or ,....), one considers the prices, the pigeons on average achieved in auctions, it is clear that costs are in the discussion about the future of our hobby certainly relevant. The running costs can not be objectively considered the main reason for the current and his misery-emerging members.
secure the current discussion about a possible increase in the association dues to 23,50 € per year, of course, if the cause was negligence of those responsible for this are (what I can afford but no appeal, and that not even want to). But is this discussion on € 23.50 in the face of what farmers actually spend per year for their pigeons, laughable. A fortiori, then even more serious consequences are discussed, such as "you do not need a dressing," or "you'll be tuned by the pigeon sport." Causes for the latter are certainly deeper than being grounded in additional € 23.50!
Still, researchers in economics have shown that losing money hurts twice more to get than money makes you happy. The subjective effect of costs to member development, particularly through the last bit, "the last straw for a breeder brings, "must not be underestimated.
This also shows a further survey, in which it was explicitly asked whether the respondents pigeon racing can still afford.
coarse 1/10th of all respondents answered here "barely apply" or "no longer apply." coarse 1/3tel the breeder said they can only raise the money with restrictions (collectively, so roughly 44%, a validity confirmation of the number of over 41% in the first part . described survey)
So there is no doubt Even when in the operating expenses of the individual breeder is not currently very critical area, must include a concept for the future approaches to the systemic reduction of the running costs of the pigeon sport!
addition the running costs come in addition to a potential new breed indeed substantial capital costs of about 3,000-10,000, - € to which they are to invest primarily for strokes, stroke facilities Konstatierequipment and pigeons. This MUST Einstiegsshürde by a future concept can also be reduced, otherwise the acquisition of new breeders actually fail because of the relatively high initial cost of our hobby!
And last not least, the cost situation of RVen an already acute critical issue. By huge decline in live many members RVen currently only individual from the substance or private patrons. A collapse of these structures is necessary today even at large purchases (such as a new Kabi) barely avoid yet. A future approach must therefore also promote financially sustainable structures to ensure affordable in the future to organize small units of the pigeon racing . As we were pigeon breeder? with a consideration of the age structure of the members present always the consequent, the expected dramatic decline in membership in the next commit years to see. When talking about this strong loss of members, must be spoken in the same course on ways of recruiting. And especially in answering this question it is very important to understand first of all, as the current members are actually come to pigeon racing.
If we look at how long today's pigeon fanciers have their own shock and independently travel is clear that all breeders are grossly 2/3tel before 20 Age found for pigeon racing. They are thus likely to become the family home, which already existed pigeons. have an age beyond 40 years however, only roughly 6% of new start with the pigeon sport. This result is to be described in the context of today's age structure in the RVen just as devastating!
As we see today in almost any RV more than a young farmers under 20 years and very few under 40, and were as yet virtually never won more than 40 years for our hobby, as this survey shows mean these figures do not less, than that our hobby in around 20 (maximum 30) years is completely gone . For the still remaining potentially 1000-2000 breeders can not distribute Germany races or target more of the same!
who currently accessible nor the opinion is that the pigeon sport in Germany will change though in the future, we will probably go a little further, but need that he will still continue to exist, must understand that this is not so.
is the pigeon racing will cease to exist if we lose out new ways to establish the new members beyond the traditional "from father to son" also , as does this traditional method of recruitment not been around 20 years. These are facts! to create new members and the most favorable conditions for developing new varieties MUST therefore be central elements of a future concept, where everything else is subordinate.
Is there hope? But there are even very legitimate hope of winning future for our hobby breeder. First was the result of the poll "Would you start again with racing pigeons?" That roughly 85% of respondents would start in the future of this hobby.
This value is classified as very high, as already specified above roughly 44%, to suffer the costs, and in each case roughly 50% too much controversy and too little seen socializing in the breeders! The explanation for this high value of this survey provides the same with: Pigeons do almost "addicted"! About 36% of respondents said they regard a re-start would be skeptical, but that they would probably not get rid of the pigeons.
In another survey of farmers who had already once quit racing pigeons were asked when they started again with the pigeons, showed a very similar course as in the poll after the age of onset, offset only just a few years. This shows who once had pigeons begins generally after 5 to 10 years on it. Such breaks in the Breeders life are not unusual, since roughly 60% of all respondents (77 out of 132) responded to the survey, which of course only to those breeders taught, which had already interrupted the hobby again.
A future concept should thus review the recruitment in people who previously had contact with include doves, because there a particularly fertile ground for the idea, to keep racing pigeons exist. And the number of these and other persons who would be possibly attached to the pigeon sport, not just low is indicated, then a further survey very clearly.
When asked how many people know that those who could move realistically to pigeon racing, although grossly 2/3tel responded with "anyone". But 1/3tel knew one to three persons of this kind
For these figures, a potential of roughly 70 to 100 potential new variety would respondents! An enormous value. Even if one considers that perhaps the older breeders generation (which participated in the survey represents only strong) would know fewer people, and had some respondents may one and the same person in mind and we therefore share the value referred to thus, for example by three would, however, would result in an already well-known potential of roughly 6500 potential obtained by the appropriate member of acquisitions policies to it (again) could motivate them to breed pigeons.
In , there is always a hidden potential that we have not seen PERMIT, and would be felt only if we actively look for new breeders.
It is the enormous charm of the creature pigeon that can save us! On top of that love of animals has always sells. Even today, the purchasing power significantly higher than during the boom of the pigeon sport. In addition, the Home Ownership rate (in / on rental property is rarely possible Pigeon Pose) is higher than it was then, and the amount of leisure time has decreased in recent decades also more likely to take place. It should therefore be seen objectively possible to reverse the decline. So bad are the conditions at least not for that.
basic requirement is that the future is shaped active, and we look pigeon breeders do not paralyzed in the line and give us in our otherwise foreseeable fate.
concrete ideas as possible parts of a future concept, I would try to develop in the next few posts.
shows the red curve, the percentage of animals, a feature showing visible when we consider a single recessive allele. If for example 50% of all animals carry this allele in itself, probably 25% of all animals of this allele present homozygous and thus show the corresponding property. Only when more than 70% frequency of this allele in the stock shows at least half of all animals that property. 
