I.F. INTERVIEW REPORT FOR CHAMPION FLYERS of CHAMPION BIRDS

James Dellasio --Cris Peaman--  James Walker

1. Tell us a little about yourself?

I am a retired Jersey City Firefighter.  I presently work for a mason contractor.  I was President of the Toms River Club twice. I am currently the 3rd Vice President of the I.F. and also the 'lost bird' coordinator.

2. Do you think your position is a good one as far as combine races are 
concerned? how big is combine, club?

My combine loft position (C.J.C) is not a very good one because my location is too far south.. The Central Jersey Combine, is the largest in the United States. The Toms River Triangle Club has 27 members and about 20 shippers.

3. Do you have an original family of pigeons? 

My family of birds are called "Jersey Blues". 

4. What type of birds do you now fly, big, med., small strain?

My preference is a medium size bird with good conformation.

5. Can you give us a little history on your Champion bird, Champion Loft?

I have been racing at this loft since 1973, after a 10 year hiatus.  I flew 
my first race in 1949 in Jersey City, NJ.

6.  Story on parents, brother, sister  that breed or flew good for you?

My original birds were the Rotondo Bricoux, Cadilic Blues and Frank Lore  Sions. I have added several strains since.   I bred winners from all of  the above.

7.   Do you race imports?

I do not race imports.

8.   How big is your old bird team? How big is young bird team?

My old bird team consists of about 40 birds, whereas my young bird team consists of about 50 birds.

9.   Do you use a system?  For young birds. Old birds? which ever applies.  Explain  your system? How many hrs. of light per day do your birds get?  From what time to what time is light used? When do you go on natural light?  How do your birds molt as old birds if you were on a young bird system? How do you feel about people using different systems  to compete with?  Explain how you would prepare a team of birds to go into a 300 mile fut. race.? Please do a Sunday to Sunday preparation schedule.  Explain how you would prepare a team of birds for shipping to a 400 mile O.B. race? 
Please do a day by day preparation Sunday to Sunday.

I did try the different systems (light-dark), but I find the natural system works best for me.  Let's face it, people will use different systems that work for them.  I do not mind flying against them as longas its legal. However, loft location better than yours will have the edge over you.  Serious flyers will move to the best location in the combine to win the prizes.  The preparation of a team of birds for a 300 mile fut. race requires a game plan and training tosses in good weather and concentrating on keeping the birds healthy by a good sound, common sense program.  I usually medicate early in the week using the global 4 in one mix.  Old birds require a game plan also with training, conditioning, motivation and health in mind.  I fly natural and mate up in February.

9A. Do you cut flights, pull tail feathers, do you have your birds finished with body molt when races start , or are you a natural flyer if so when do you start to breed?

I do not cut flights or tail feathers.  Some birds finish the body molt earlier than others.  Most are finished by the 4th race.  Being a natural flyer, I breed mid-February. 

10. Do you fly to the perch? Do you fly widowhood? separated sexes ,just hens? or natural, explain your method in old birds and young birds. 

In old birds, they fly to the nest on eggs only.  In young birds, they fly to the perch.

11. Describe you loft? is there air flow in loft , fans, etc.

My flying loft is 8'x16', two compartments with a feeding room and a desk to write up the entry forms.  The air flow is good with vents on the bottom and 4" openings the length of the roof line.  I do use a heat fan in the winter on the floor to avoid dampness in rainy weather.  My breeding loft has two compartments, also with good air flow.

12  Describe how you feed? Hopper, or individual seed?  In the nest box or on the floor? after a flight around the loft or is it when they return from training ? is there a set time in the morning or at evening? which mixture do you use?

I Hopper feed after each flight and training toss.  I feed at 7-8am and 5-6pm.  I use European mix all year long.

13. How do you train your birds single toss in  a flock or on the training truck? do you time your birds from training and if so give us example. How often do you train and at what distances?

I train mostly on the 'training truck', 50-100 miles, 3-4 times per week.  I also toss the birds when time permits, 20-30 miles.  I do not single toss.  I train in small groups of 10 birds.

14. Do you have any regular training schedule  To take the birds down the road or do you loft fly regularly explain what you do? 

I like to train on the truck, 4 times a week and loft fly everyday. I keep the birds hungry for fast trapping but never starved.  There is always feed for them after every training toss or flight around the lofts.  I never have a bad trapper using this system.

15.Is there any kind of health program you follow regularly? If so explain it to us. how do you medicate and for what reason?

I use a preventative medicated health program to control cocci, canker respiratory and worms.  A four in one mix is used from Globel Supply only when racing, starting Monday to Wednesday. Thursday to Saturday, they get clear water with a tablespoon of clorox per gallon.  They also get vitamins three times per week, homey on Monday and garlic cloves in the water on Wednesday.  All birds are wormed once a month.  All youngsters are vaccinated for p.m.v. and for pox. After young bird season and before breeding, all birds are inoculated for p.m.v. and paratyphoid.

16.How often do you race your champion bird, how about the rest of the team.

I pick birds that look in condition for that week.  I will repeat birds that clocked in the previous race.  A bird that is never ready is a cull.

17. Do you believe in bird  entry limits, Do you believe inclocking limits? How do you select your breeding pairs? Have you any advice for new flyers? Have you any advice for advanced Flyers? 

The C.J.C has a 15 bird limit.  This seems to work out fine with most flyers.  I personally would like to see an 8-10 bird limit.  Less birds in the loft improves health and lowers feed costs.  I believe there would be fewer lost birds because you would pick the best conditioned birds for that week.  Clocking limits depend on how the birds arrive at the loft.  I like to select pairs for breeding suited to each other like balance, eye sign, left to right tail and best to best in performance.  My advice to new flyers is to look for a successful flyer (a mentor).  Learn from him, don't be afraid to ask question and read up on the sport.

18. Is there a flyer, breeder or book that has helped you become a better pigeon flyer. do you have any kind of goals in the sport? Compose a list of awards your have received  club, combine and national awards if any.

My greatest respect is for all the champion pigeon flyers that I have known throughout the years that I have been flying birds.  These flyers have the knowledge and the bloodlines to win races year after year and stay on top.  It is an honor for me to know these great champions of the sport.  I have won numerous awards including club average speeds both old and young birds, overall average speeds, High Point Loft many  times, and also won many best in show awards and club champion award.  I have over 80 first place wins, Little All American award, I.F. Hall of Fame award and I.F. Champion Loft.  I also had the only day bird on a 400 mile race with east wind and rain.  'Jersey Girl' was awarded the I.F. Hall of Fame that year, winning several diplomas.

19. If you had the opportunity to change something in the pigeon game what would it be? How would you make the change to it.

I would do away with the mob flyers, playing the numbers game.  These flyers will do anything to get the edge over you.  Most sporting events have equal numbers of players, why not the pigeon game.  I would work with the I.F. to have this rule passed, but home rule prevails.

20. If you have a list of good books or video tape please recommend some.

Joe Rotondo's book has helped many flyers.  Most videos are good but too long to watch.