Sun City Loft Reports SANPO report -Sun City 2009 | 14 January 2009
Revised on 16 January 2009
REPORT from SANPO
Re Sun City Loft
The delegation of Alan Jordaan, Chris Prinsloo and Willie Venter, which was appointed by SANPO to attend and monitor the Sun City Loft, visited the lofts on Saturday, 10 January 2009 when the final “Hotspot” race was flown from a distance of 383 km.
On arrival at the lofts two other SANPO members were also visiting, viz. A B van Vuuren and Ferdie Lubbe. These gentlemen were accordingly invited to supplement the three aforementioned delegates in their appointed task.
The “Hotspot” Race
A total of 3459 birds were released at 05:45. Generally the prediction along the route was for rain and, in fact, the whole of Gauteng, North West Province and Free State was predicted to have a 60% chance of rain.
The first birds were clocked at 11:11. Two birds arrived initially, but were soon joined by a group of about 30 birds. Thereafter the birds arrived back in batches on average of about 20 birds. There came a period where there was a lapse of pigeons arriving and this obviously indicated that the birds had encountered rain along the way. This was further substantiated by the delegation when they were invited to visit the loft and handle some of the birds. It was clear to all that the birds had encountered rain as feathering was still damp and the wattle somewhat pink.
When the delegation finally left the premises at approximately 13:30 there were over a 1000 pigeons back.
By the end of Saturday approximately 2650 birds had returned. The delegation was satisfied, taking into consideration the rain and humidity, that the returns were very good.
Lofts
In their inspection of the birds and the lofts the delegation was unanimous that the lofts were spotless and no fault could be found with the birds.
The feathering and general health of the birds could not be criticized. The birds are in excellent health and there is no reason that the main race at the end of January should not be very successful.
Having inspected the birds and the lofts the delegation was then shown the medical records by Mr Corrie Naude, the chief trainer, in regard to the treatment of the birds. They had been treated for paramyxo, pox and all other basic pigeon diseases such as canker, coccidiosis, etc. There was also clearance from the State Veterinarian indicating that all birds had passed through the quarantine.
Mr Naude showed the delegation the microscope which was coupled to a video screen and was used on a regular basis to monitor the health of the birds. This pathological screening helped detect any common disease or illness which could then immediately be dealt with.
Training
After the quarantine period all birds' wings were soaped and the birds, in their own time, as the soap disappeared through bathing, took to the air and after training around the loft for a month were slowly taken onto the road. Once the distance of 80 km was reached tossing took place every day from that distance, except Saturdays when there were either “hotspots” or longer tosses. Sunday was a rest day.
It is evident that this tossing method has again been successful and it is apparent that the pigeons are ready for the big race ahead.
Conclusion
Overall the delegation is satisfied that the loft has been very well run and that the professionalism of the Sun City team remains intact and the standard excellent.
ALAN JORDAAN/WILLIE VENTER/CHRIS PRINSLOO
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