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SAHPA 2016 Year Book Page 27
Viv begins tossing around Anzac week, and first tosses from Outer Harbour. If the birds get
home in 40 mins or less, he moves to Pt Parham. Otherwise he returns to Outer Harbour for
another two or three tosses. All race birds do these initial tosses. Once the birds are tossing
well from the north he starts tossing east – initially Milang then Tailem Bend and Meningie.
Loft work is done to a flag – flag up they work – flag down they come down! He looks for 40
mins as a minimum. He flys his mealies and reds north and the blues and blue chequers to the
east. Occasionally birds are doubled back, but generally they fly a three week cycle. He flys
about 100 babies and 40 older birds
each year.
His race loft has been ‘made to fit’
over the years and modified and
changed to get the best racing
results. The initial loft was built
along the back fence facing south
east. To this, Viv has added lots of
extra ‘sun aviaries’ to the side of the
loft and on top of the roof of the loft.
The birds look most contented. He
has also added separate breeding
lofts to ensure plenty of race loft and
perch space. In the last year he has
added the Tipes electronic clocking
system – the best thing since sliced bread! The loft is cleaned daily.
His birds get the usual requirements of grit, pink mineral powder, and apple cider vinegar on
wet humid periods. Vitamins are provided post race.
Race birds are fed a basic mixture based on peas – generally 75% peas, 5 % wheat, 5%
safflower, 5% milo, 5% maize and in the last few years 5% barley. Race birds are always
hand fed and food is never left in the loft all day.
Breeding birds are fed 90% peas from a hopper plus other grains as and when Viv decides,
plus green feed from time to time.
Medications are basic – worming 4-6 weeks before racing and Turbosole as necessary.
Viv likes to do all his pigeon management to a timetable so that the race birds get into and
expect a routine.
His only theory about pigeons is ‘the
feet first theory’ which was advised
by Warren Moyle – first pigeon
home with feet on the landing bird is
his best bird! Other than that, he
‘likes what he likes’ for handing and
looks and hopes for the best! He
handles his birds once to twice a
week, and for race birds on
hampering night looks for buoyancy,
obvious health, bright eyes and good
clean feather.
Over the 43 years, Viv has flown as:
Viv Allan also Viv Allan and son
also Viv Allan and daughter also Viv Allan and grand daughter and hopes to add Viv Allan
and grandson or maybe Viv Allan and family to the racing record in the 2017 race season.
MOULAMEIN SIRE