The following is an interview conducted with John Marles in 1995 covering topics including his background and thoughts on the racing pigeon sport.

 

 

 

 

Born:  November 1^st 1950

Home:  Scarborough, Ontario

Education: University Degree - Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) Specialist in Special Education (Exceptional Students)

Occupation: Retired Teacher

Family: My wife Pina, two sons:  Gion and Kriston 

Hobbies: Sports: Hockey, Football, Curling, Baseball

 

 

 

1. Interviewer: What attracted you into the sport?

1. Marles: When I was in Grade Four there were four boys in my class who kept pigeons. Each time that I visited with them I would invariably find myself in their backyards looking at their lofts. Watching them release these birds and then observing them return to the loft certainly hooked me. Since then I have always been fascinated with this hobby. 

 

2. Interviewer: How long have you been associated with Racing Pigeons?

2. Marles: I have been around pigeons for approximately thirty-seven years.

 

3. Interviewer: Have they influenced your life?

3. Marles: Most definitely. They have had an impact on both me and my family.

 

4. Interviewer: Have you achieved your goals in this sport?

Marles: I believe that you are constantly setting goals for yourself and then adjusting and modifying them to suit your needs, time and capabilities. One of my goals has always been to support any new members coming into the sport. Invariably most of the newcomers to the sport in Toronto end up calling me for information or advice. I feel that I have tried to fulfil this goal. I spend a lot of time in copying some of my articles and explaining the different medications and methods that are available. Unfortunately, as my wife aptly points out I am not always the best judge of character and both her and I have spent time with personalities that I feel do an injustice to the sport.

A number of people have suggested that I should write a book on the sport from my own perspectives and that may be my next goal.

 

5. Interviewer: As a peerless prognosticator, do you believe the next generation will have a sport to enjoy?

Marles: Yes, I do but, it will be different in that competition will continue to dwindle and with modern technology you will have the results as soon as your pigeon crosses the scanner. I believe this will hinder the camaraderie, so we will have to find ways to combat that.

 

6. Interviewer: What in your opinion needs changing about the sport?

Marles: I feel that a number of programmes and directives that the A.U. are sponsoring are of great benefit to the sport. Such as targeting the early retirees who may have had birds earlier in their life and now have the time and the money re-enter the sport. If we are going to sustain our numbers we must tap into this reserve. The sport must continue to change in order to remain vital. We definitely need some innovative ways of recognizing more individuals for their performances. The Best motivator that I know of is positive reinforcement whether it be business, sports or education. If we could recognize more of these individuals I believe that some of these people would remain in the game and that they would be more inclined to recruit others.

 

7. Interviewer: What keeps you in the game?

Marles: I have tried to grapple with this very question many times. There have been times when I really question the aims of some of the people in our sport. Many times, I have wondered why anyone would remain in a sport that is rife with petty jealousies, backbiting and setbacks. Many have said that for them the sport is almost like a sickness or a disease. If this is the case then… Doctor ...I think I am definitely afflicted. All kidding aside, I still enjoy watching the birds home from hundreds of miles away and I enjoy the challenge of breeding and conditioning the birds.

 

8. Interviewer: What aspect of Pigeon Racing would you like best to be recognized for?

Marles: As being a support for both the beginners and those that want to effectively affect a change in their results. Also someone who is always been an advocate and mediator for the good of the membership. 

 

9. Interviewer: What do you see as your role in the sport?

Marles: Trying to make the sport interesting and exciting for the members in our  Club, Federation and Combine.

 

10. Interviewer: Are the major organizations doing as much as we should expect?

Marles: We can always do more but, generally speaking the doers of our world are so often criticised that they eventually wear down and get out or become mired in the quagmire. When I look back over the many builders of our sport in the Toronto area there are very few who have remained over the long haul. I feel this is due to the negative attacks that they have had to endure.

 

11. Interviewer: What would you do as President of the A.U or I.F.?

Marles: First let me say that from experience (I have held the Presidency of our Club, Federation and Combine for many, many, many years) that it is not an enviable position. My hat goes off to those who sincerely keep the best interests of the sport foremost as they go forward. I would like to seek out an innovative way of sparking the interest of our youth into the sport possibly via computers/video games (adventure games) that would incorporate homing pigeons in the plot. I feel that if their interest was tapped and that they kept pigeons for even a single season then they may in the future be inclined to have that interest rekindled.

 

13. Interviewer: Do you see any new trends in the future? What will the sport be like in 50 years?

Marles: Clocking with scanners. Perhaps more races which will help to de-emphasize the single week-end race…smaller birdages in more races so that everyone will be on a more equal footing--larger futurities and single bird races to one loft.

 

14. Interviewer: What is the one thing that sticks out in your mind about your pigeons? Is there one experience that overshadows the rest?

Marles: As much as I hate to say it "The good old days" have always been a pleasant memory in my mind. Many open races in those days had well over a hundred people gathered to ship their birds. In the nineties we may have two or three races a year of this magnitude. I well remember Harold and Mary Horton who organized the Beaver Junior Club. They were tremendous supporters of the youth programme. Also my surrogate parents 'the Blackburns'. When I was growing up my parents always knew where to find me as I spent a lot of time at Frank Blackburn's house talking and observing his birds.  The above people spent a tremendous amount of time with me .

 

15. Interviewer: On a scale of one to ten, rate yourself as a breeder, and a flyer? Explain.

Marles: I have been very fortunate in that a number of birds that I have sent across the country have done well. Recently Bob Koch mentioned that one of his three latest Foundation birds came from my loft. I quickly phoned Bob to thank him for his comments because in this game you do not always hear back how your birds have done. Rick Nanez obtained some from this hen and they flew exceptionally well for him. C. Hoover had some good luck with a hen from my loft that he calls the "Canuck hen". Russ Burns won the 600 with a hen from my loft. Unfortunate a dispute put her out for the New England Open. A different bird won Hall of Fame honours for Russ. Rick Post told me that a pair of pigeons he purchased have bred over fifteen 1st place winners plus many Futurity winners. Reno Morales also mentioned that he has had a lot of success with birds that he got from me. This year in my own area there were seven race winners that I had bred for others.  These are the joys which make this hobby all worthwhile.

 

16. Interviewer: How many fliers in your club and combine?

Marles: There are 24 actual flying members in our club. We have four clubs in Toronto Federation which has 50+ members. Then in the Toronto Combine there are about 65 flyers. We also have the Up North Combine and when we join forces we have about 120 flyers.

 

17. Interviewer: Do you now, or have you ever held any offices at any level? What?

Marles: As far back as my Junior days I was the President of the Beaver Junior club. I have since that time been either President of our club, Federation or Combine each year with very few exceptions.

      

18. Interviewer:  Who is the one person in this sport that you would hold up as an example?

Marles:  The person who is innovative, helpful, humble, honest and always working for the good of the SPORT. No... this is not an extinct species. After travelling throughout North America there are many, many individuals who are working diligently for the sport.

 

19. Interviewer:  In your opinion who is the best flyer in America today? Best Breeder? Best Writer? Best Officer?

Marles:  As a teacher I have been fortunate in that I have had two - one year sabbaticals- one in 1987-88 and the other in 1992-93. In both of these years I travelled extensively. I was able to tour across Canada from Newfoundland to Vancouver, then down the west coast to Mexico across some of the mid west states then down to Texas across to Florida and then up the New England coast and back to Canada. Throughout this trip I visited many, many lofts of fanciers who would more than hold their own in Europe. In North America we have a number of fanciers who would do well in any area in Europe.

 

20. Interviewer:  Who do you consider as tops in the world in the above areas?

Marles: I have been fortunate enough to have travelled throughout England, France, Belgium and Holland. Each time I visit I meet new top fanciers. I am most interested in those who accomplish great feats with very, very few pigeons. It stands to reason that any insights and knowledge that can be gained from these smaller set-ups will complement my own situation. Also, if I am going to purchase I look for birds from these lofts because I feel that they will have more impact on my own loft.

 

21. Interviewer:  What is your favourite strain and why?

Marles:  From years of experience plus travelling in Europe I look for family lines now rather than strains. The honest European fanciers will tell you that they have used many family lines to help cultivate their own family. I try to obtain as close as possible to the key breeders (the proponent stock) as my pocket will allow. I have also pooled my resources with various friends to capitalize on a more expensive bird which will be co-owned and shared.

 

22. Interviewer:  How much influence do the magazines exert on the sport?

Marles:  I feel that they can have a very positive effect in keeping fanciers aware of new diseases, updating new medicines and different methods of successful fanciers.

 

23. Interviewer:  What is your favourite Racing Pigeon magazine?

24. Interviewer:  What would you like to see more of in the magazines?

25. Interviewer:  How many magazines do you now subscribe to?

I subscribe to all of the magazines that are available to me from England, Australia and North America. At one point I was receiving about eleven magazines on a regular basis.

 

26. Interviewer: What is your favourite top five Racing Pigeon Books in order?

27. Interviewer: How many pigeon books in your house? How often are they used?

Marles:  I currently own a very large library on the topic of racing pigeons (approximately 400-500 books/volumes). I also have a complete collection of magazines including the Pictorial, Racing Pigeon Facts, British Homing World, American Bulletins and the weekly, Australian magazine, Thoroughbred, Digest, Belgium news etc. I refer to these books on a needs basis (e.g., if a newcomer to the sport needs a beginner’s book then I can either lend him a copy or show him the title he needs and where to obtain it). For those natural flyers who are contemplating a change I might recommend Mark Gordon's book on Widowhood. Also if a caller seems to have a problem with numbers kept a good book to read is the Elite which drives home the point about fewer pigeons in a larger space equals super health.

 

28. Interviewer:  If you could be partners with someone flying today, who would it be?

Marles:   Since I have the dreaded Pigeon Breeders Lung I would love to have a partner. Currently my eldest son Gion is helping out but, he is getting older and very soon his interests will shift. As yet my youngest son Kriston is not that keen.

 

29. Interviewer:   What's the funniest story you could tell about one of your pigeons?

Marles:   A number of years ago Russ and Jan Burns from Beverly, Mass were visiting with us. On this particular week-end we had our first young bird race which is generally a clocking duel. As we settled down to watch the birds come home Russ asked me what I used for a dropper. I told him that I choose a number of birds that did not go to the race and wet their wings so that they can just make the landing board. Well......our home is on the Scarborough Bluffs and at the back of our property the Bluffs drop about two hundred feet. As soon as the first young bird was spotted in the air I had a foreboding feeling that my dropper was not going to work. As I released the first dropper (you guessed it) he headed over the Bluffs and straight down. In a rather thick Boston accent I heard the cry, "Do that again, Males…". So as not to offend any guests I promptly released the second dropper and he proceeded to follow the first one, right over the Bluffs.  By this time my guests were on the lawn, having left their chairs and I was still watching the ever increasing group of young birds that were collecting and wildly circling the loft. I now have six modenas that are all clipped and trained to do their job well.

 

31. Interviewer:  Who do you feel is more important to the success of a winning loft the man or the bird?

Marles:   Definitely....... the handler!   Having said that you do need quality birds to work with but, if those same birds are placed in an overcrowded, poorly ventilated, damp loft then they will never reach their potential. A top notch observant fancier is always correcting, adjusting, planning and generally leaves very little to chance.

 

32. Interviewer: Do you think Eye-Sign has any merit?

Marles:  As I mentioned I have a very good collection of all pigeon books and as such I have all the books on eye sign available including a hand coloured charts. Most people have read Bishop's book and when I was younger some of the older members in the club actually culled according to his chart in the book. They could all draw the different eyes and explain which eye matched each pigeon and what they were good for. As a young lad I asked for an appraisal of two latebreds that I owned. The consensus among the eye sign experts (enthusiasts) was to cull them. You guessed it..... the very next year they had promptly beaten the older members a number of times and one late bred won best yearling in the club. I own a little known book written by a Belgium named DePauww who devotes an entire section of his book to eye-sign. In this section he calls Bishop a " Rogue, crook "and then goes on to show actual photocopied letters from this British writer,' Bishop' asking DePauww to send over some Belgium pigeons that Bishop could sell in England by eye-sign.

You can tell health and form from studying each individual and the colour and richness of his eye. The eye is a quick indicator and generally will give you an insight into form. Also, if you very carefully move the cere you will be able to see if there are any problems with the third eyelid. If you see any bubbles or slight excessive moisture by the lachrymal duct (corner of the eye, tear duct) then you may have a problem with the respiratory tract.

 

33. Interviewer: Do you have any so-called secrets?   

Marles: The quick answer is that there are not any secrets. Yet we for some reason like to grasp at any new kind of ELIXIR that comes along. One day I will share some interesting stories on the topic of Magic Elixirs and top fliers who felt that this was helping them only to find out that there was very little in them. I do believe that there is still a lot of information that needs to be shared and even more experimentation the needs to take place.

 

34. Interviewer: Where did you acquire your birds?

Marles: Almost every racer and breeder in my loft can be traced back to three or four key Foundation birds. In the early 60's a very good friend by the name of Frank Blackburn gave me a family of Putmans that fly exceptionally well in both tough days and long end races. Four decades later these birds are still doing well. An example of this is the 450 mile race for young birds last year  ( entry fee $500.00 a bird ) only three birds made it home and Tom Brouwer's entry which took third was from this old family.

 

           In the late 70's and early 80's I travelled to England in the hopes of adding some new blood. I chose the Buschhaert family. I chose many, top birds all directly bred from some of the greats Pluto, Little Dark, Red Rum etc. Only one bird was chosen "Sylvan Lanky" a 1977 bird who is the sire and grandsire to over 70 1st place winners and 8 CHAMPION CERTIFICATE OF MERIT birds. In the 93' Young Bird series Sylvan Lanky was the grand sire to 5 race winners for other people and one for myself (plus countless Diploma birds). He is still alive and at 18 years old he now resides in Hammonton, New Jersey with Phil Mancuso and still looks very young.

                During a trip to Holland in 85' I was fortunate enough to purchase from a number of a small lofts with very good results. From this importation only two birds remain and both are from G. Spanjaards. I have one son from the '969' of Spanjaards (where have we seen this number before) and he is 820193 "Sylvan Producer". His bloodlines can be found in most of my loft and I am currently compiling a list of winners that he has raised. To give you some idea of his potency he has helped found over ten lofts that I know of. These are the ones I know of and just recently I heard from Rick Post of Idaho who told me that his daughter has bred 15 1st place winners a number of Futurity winners and that he is stocking all the males from her.

         I also have a son of the "713" from Spanjaards who put together 32 top prizes in a very short time. I call the son "Sylvan L'Avenir" 820189-85-H-NL and he also has bred a long list of winners plus he is the sire to Foundation pigeons in the States and Canada. One of Bob Koch's Foundation pigeons is from this cock when mated to a sister of the "Producer" cock.

        Last but, by no means least a very good friend that I grew up with has allowed me to try some of his stock each year. John and Barb Cooper (LIBERTY LOFT) of Peterborough, Ontario have one of the most formidable stock lofts that I have seen. Each year they send down a select group for me to race. This has provided me with some excellent bloodlines to test. They have flown quite well for me.

 

35. Interviewer: What do you look for in selecting a stock bird?

Marles: Results, first and foremost. I want to see a number of winners, brothers and sisters, uncles, nieces etc… a real winning family in good competition. When looking at race winners I always look for the number of lofts competing and birdage. If it is not mentioned, I usually have a good idea why. If I hear that an individual has won 9 out of ten races I want to check out the competition. Who does he/she race against, why are the figures missing etc.? What is the level of competition like if this individual is able to win that many races? Have them send you their race results and then you can draw your own conclusions. A concerned fancier will continue to investigate and ask a local fancier about the level of competition in that club.

 

36. 37. Interviewer: When do you stock a pigeon? How do you grade a bird? How large a breeding loft do you maintain? How many birds in it?

Marles: Due to having Pigeon Breeder's Lung I only have Five Pair of stock birds. In order to maximize my stock loft I will annually place young birds in friends' lofts and I will also place some of my latebreds from the stock birds in their lofts to be used the following year. This increases my chances of finding quality stock birds. They must raise winners or top Diploma birds each and every year. If any meet these criteria then I am able to recall them. In this way we both benefit. I am able to keep fewer pigeons and yet still benefit from my selected matings. The stock loft is 8 feet by 8 feet with an aviary of 8 by 8 feet. I also have a set-up for polygamous breeding away from this loft. I also implement another type of polygamous breeding with my first round of racers. First of all, I will pre-mate my flying hens to widowhood cocks but, I will not allow them to tread. Twice each day I will take the widowhood hen to another empty section where I will have a chosen stock bird ready. Usually I leave them for five to ten minutes then I replace both of them back to their own lofts. If I have chosen two hens for the one stock cock then I will place one hen in after the first is removed. This way i can get six youngsters from one stock cock and have foster parents for them at the same time. Every day I will allow the widow cock in with the hen but, I watch very carefully so they do not tread, then I separate them with the plastic front when I leave.

 

38. Interviewer: What do you feed your breeders? What brand?

Marles: I am constantly changing my feed mixture depending on what the birds are doing or not doing. During the winter 40-50% malting barley (see attached article for additional information) and 50% mix. (comprised of 30% corn ,25% variety of peas-green,white,maple,20% wheat -different varieties, 10% white milo/kaffir, 10% pellets,5% safflower and small seeds). Two to three weeks prior to mating I will change the feed so that it is 70% mix (see above) and 30% pellets. When the pairs have lain it is back to 50% barley and 50% mix. When the youngsters hatch I will go to 90% mix and 10% extra pellets added in. At this time I will give additional peas in the nest and also whole peanuts from the health food store.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39. Interviewer: Do you ever try to cure sick birds? When and Why?

Marles: The longer I am in the sport the fewer birds I try to cure. Generally speaking I will only try to cure a stock bird. I can only remember one stock bird that I have had to cure in the last twelve years. I have found that the real Good ones are never sick a day in their life and if they are off it is usually for a short duration and they come around themselves.

 

40. Interviewer: What material do you use in the nest?

Marles: I have a good supply of pine needles and I generally place a pad on the bottom of the clay nest especially in February and March.

 

41. Interviewer: How many birds do you raise? How many rounds from each pair?

Marles: I generally breed 6 to 7 rounds from my breeders. Keep in mind this may well be with three or four different mates and that most of these will be raised by pumpers. My widowers will raise one round and then their second set will be floated to pumpers. At the end of the year I will re-mate the widowers (using their current results as a focus point) and take one round of latebreds.

 

42. Interviewer: What do you look for as far as normal and healthy progression in your squeakers in the nest? When do you cull in the nest?

Marles: I am constantly checking for bright, alert and healthy young birds. Routinely, I check the navel and cloaca for these must be clean. The feet must remain clean and the droppings around the nest must be firm. Sometimes if I forget to add pickstone or minerals they may be off in the a.m. but, all must be well in the p.m. or it's my fault. If I see an unhealthy young bird (wet droppings, constantly squeaking, poorly feathered) then I will cull it immediately. I really like to see a lot of yellow down on the youngster especially around the head and neck area.

 

43.Interviewer: When are your birds paired up? Prisoners? Race Team?

 Marles: Most years I will pair the racers up 63 to 70 days before the first race. Therefore I will mate the stock birds up four weeks prior to this so that I can place the stocks first round under feeders and the second round under my fliers. Now the stock birds are going down on their third round but, they have not raised a youngster yet. This year I was all set to breed the stock birds a little earlier in order to participate in the F.V.C. race but, our temperatures of minus 30 would not allow me to spend the time in the loft.

 

44. Interviewer: What type of litter is used on the floor of the loft?

Marles: Unfortunately I suffer from Pigeon Breeders Lung and therefore I do not use any litter on the floor. I have a central vacuum system which I use as often as possible and in the summer I use the garden hose and wash the loft down. I also use an assortment of masks which range from the Racal (almost like a hockey mask), to a gas like mask, then to various lighter weight charcoal type masks. This year I am putting in a vacuum system which I can switch on before I go into the loft and this may extend the time I have in this sport.

 

45. Interviewer: Do you feed greens, salt or put anything in the water?

Marles: I try to give them greens a couple of times a week to which I sometimes place a very small sprinkling of salt. In the water I will use garlic (twice a week or more when I'm racing) , vitamins (at least once a week) and a lemon/orange (once a week).

 

46. Interviewer: Do you have a special health programme? What?

Marles: Through constant observation I try to limit the amount of medicine that I use. Please don't misunderstand me I tried one year to race holistically (without the use of any medicine) and my results were terrible. While the birds are sitting their first round I will medicate for trichomoniasis with either Emtryl or Ridzol (try to switch these if possible). My birds are vaccinated against P.M.V. and paratyphoid before the racing season. Now I will daily observe the droppings and medicate accordingly.

 

 

47. Interviewer: When do you wean squeakers?

Marles: My squeakers are generally weaned between 20-24 days. I try to feed a lot of peas and peanuts in the nest which enable them to wean earlier. I also have a weaning box where I can place the youngsters where they can eat peas and still be fed from the parents. There is also a water fountain beside them. This really works well in the summer months and I can generally place youngsters in there at about sixteen days old.

 

48. Interviewer: How do you pair your birds, do you have any trouble getting special pairs to mate? What is your method?

Marles: First of all, I determine how many pairs I am going to breed from. Then I try to determine how I can best maximise my five stock pair. All of the pairings need to be orchestrated so that the eggs from the first round of stock may be placed under feeders and their second round will be placed under the racers. I only breed from certain widowhood pairs. I usually go through many rough drafts during the winter before I finally decide. Then on nice days during the winter I will place the chosen hen beside the cock with the plastic nest front in between and see if I like the pair (do they complement each other). I will generally do this ten to twelve times throughout the winter and in this way the pairs take to each other very quickly when I finally mate them up. 

 

49. Interviewer: Any parting thoughts on the subject of breeding? When would you bring in new stock?

Marles: I try to keep an eye out for a very special bird from a flyer that is consistently at the top. I prefer not to take a chance (for health reasons) bringing in a bird from a loft that I am not familiar with. I well remember the advice that the late Emiel DeWeerdt told me when I visited with him. He said," purchase from a gentleman who has been on the very top of the sport for many, many years. From this gentleman purchase four to six latebreds. Be careful and do not buy from the shooting stars that go up and down."

 

50. Interviewer: How do you settle your youngsters?

51. Interviewer: When do you begin training?

52. Interviewer: What is your young bird race schedule?

53. Interviewer: Do you race your young birds mated or on any special systems?

54. Interviewer: What do you feed and how much and when? Could I get a brief weekly schedule?

55. Interviewer:  How many birds on your young bird team?

Marles: I have included an article on young bird racing which I trust will answer most of the above questions.

 

56. Interviewer: If you fly natural or widowhood how many birds on each team? Are you flying hens also?

Marles: I normally race 16-18 pairs of double widowers. I always advocate the racing of hens to anyone who asks because they put up some excellent performances.

 

57. Interviewer: Explain your training methods used by you. Go into some detail.

Marles: I believe that the article will point out this information.

 

58. Interviewer: Explain how you would set up your cocks for the 500? Hens for 500?

Marles: A lot depends on the year, the weather and how the birds have done in the previous races. Generally speaking 7 to 10 days before the 500 I will take both sexes of widowers out to 80 - 100 miles. (Again this depends on the day, try to pick an excellent one with head winds then you can cut down on your drive). I like them to fly about 2 hours on the wing. During the beginning of the week of the 500 I will make sure the candidates get a number of fat seeds to eat such as peanuts, safflower, sunflower, rape etc. Be careful!! Always purchase peanuts from the health food store and store them in the fridge. For the last race of the year I will allow the hen and cock together for a full day with plenty of pine needles on the floor and watch them carefully. Sometimes I allow them open loft depending on the type of day it is. If it is very hot I would suggest keeping them in during the day because it may tend to take too much out of them if the cock starts to chase the hen. This comment comes from experience. 

 

59. Interviewer: What is form and how do you know when a particular bird has it?

Marles: There are numerous signs of form such as chalk white wattles, deep coloured ( almost wet looking ) eyes, clear pink underside with rich red capillaries showing ( almost like a road map), tight gleaming feathering and immaculate clean feet and band. These are just a few signs of form. Super form comes along every once in a while. When an athlete at the Olympics walks away with two, three or four Gold medals you can safely say that he/she was in super form. I have been fortunate enough to have seen this in a number of pigeons. One example was a bird named Sylvan DeQuick which I was preparing for a 500 mile race. He had an exceptional year scoring many times in the top five in the combine. On the Thursday before the race of the 500 He was roaring around the loft in the morning and when I opened the double doors to let the widowers in I thought he had come in. This was eight o'clock in the morning and I started teaching at nine. A quick check of the birds eating in their boxes revealed that his box was empty. At eight-ten he came roaring by and kept on going. I felt that if I left him locked out that something might happen to him. (Murphy's Law) Again at eight-twenty he came streaking through the air and started to make a couple of swings. I quickly got the other widowers into another section and opened the doors. At eight twenty-five he finally came down and I was then able to close the doors quickly before he busted out. On saturday he was First Club (25 flyers), First Federation (50 Flyers) and First Combine (110 Flyers). He was in Super Form.

 

60. Interviewer: How are your birds cared for after a race? Explain your system? Again I feel this question is very important especially for beginners so use a lot of detail?

Marles: It really depends on the length of the race (time, distance) and the type of day. (very difficult to easy)

If it is a short race and the day was easy then I will proceed with a small amount (one teaspoon) of small seeds (rape seed, millet, etc) for all of the birds. I generally leave the hens with the cocks for about two to three hours but, this is not a hard and fast rule. I find that as the year progresses I start to leave them longer which tends to cut down on the hens mating. If the day is warm and sunny then I will provide a bath and give them open loft. (the race was easy) At night I will give them another teaspoon of barley, safflower, milo and wheat to which I add brewer's yeast. For a medium distance race / long race on a difficult day I may give a forced bath and take the hen away earlier if I feel they need a rest. Then I may give the hen for a few hours the next day. In the water I prepare a Gatorade like cocktail. I add a pinch of salt, sugar (honey if I have it), a cut up lemon/orange and mix it with cool water. These are just guidelines and in the final analysis you will have to work out your own timetable depending on clock-off and family responsibilities. It really comes down to trial and error and constant observation.

 

61. Interviewer: Do you force your birds to exercise? When, how much?    62. Interviewer: If you fly widowhood can you elaborate more fully on your system and methodology?      

Marles: There are basically three ways to proceed on the double widowhood. The first is by training them down the road. The second is by forcing them using a flag system and finally allowing them free exercise periods. I have tried all three over the last twenty years and I have adopted the latter idea because I want to keep the system simple. I feel that my results over the last three decades have been very consistent regardless of the system. The cocks go out for their morning exercise at six o'clock and I will drop the landing board for them for the first half hour while I clean and vacuum their section. If they are not exercising freely then I have a problem. It may well be a respiratory problem, perhaps they are fat, tired or just not in condition. I have to find out the answer and correct it quickly because there are only about 12 weeks of racing. From six thirty until seven I will give them open door and allow them to go in and out freely. If they zoom in and back out right away then I know that they are going to be close on Saturday. In the evening  if I have time) the cocks may go out again from 5 o'clock until 6 o'clock. Next the hens will go out and this is usually in the evening. If someone drops over and they live 10 to 15 miles or more away then I will give them the hens. Otherwise I will exercise the hens around the loft. At times they get stubborn and I must use a flag. Remember that I have completely closed off the sections where the cocks are and the hens can not see in.

 

 

 

63. Interviewer: After the race season, when are the birds separated?

Marles: Depending on the year I generally take one round of latebreds which will be raised by other pigeons. I will re-arrange my matings based on their performances from that year. These late breds have helped me tremendously in the past as breeders and racers.