Mike’s moto

Selection by pedigree and handling is the way forward to achieve a good stock loft is Mike’s moto.
“If you don’t like a bird when you handle it, then do not buy it” . Do not have a bird in the loft only on breeding or results. This is a sport that can be very demanding but also very relaxing and calming. “I want to go in to my loft and not see “ugly ducklings” but to see pigeons that make me smile.

A super example is the G Sire to Mike’s 1st OLR first final winner “Hope”. She was the G Daughter of FROST bred by JOS THONE. Purchased at auction he was selected on breeding – being a brother to Avril, and also handling. Frost was a dark grizzle when all other Avril related birds were white grizzles, like Avril. “Frost was outstanding to handle and had everything I was looking for including a personality. Other fanciers paid double the amount Mike paid for Frost which Mike puts down to him not being white grizzle.

Even today, 20 years after Frost hatched, his name is in 100’S of top pedigrees around the world including 2nd FINAL PATTAYA INTERNATIONAL 2024.

For me, pigeons are a hobby not a business. I spend ages studying pedigrees to find multiple top prize winners for a bird I like. Of the birds I add each year (2 or 3) I will look for OLR auction birds or Brothers – sisters- children from TOP prizewinners in OLR’s.