The yearly National race in Victoria was my favourite race, as it was raced from 400 miles, includes the best birds from around the State and was limited to 10 birds per flier. I was not flying in 2013 due to work commitments but kept in touch with what was happening in the pigeon world through phone conversations, the internet and the pigeon journal. My main two contacts for my necessary pigeon conversation were Paul Bryant and Nick Lakiotis.

It was the afternoon of the 12^th October 2013 when I rang Nick but there was no answer so I then rang my good friend Paul Bryant to see whether he clocked in the National race from Cobar. The conversation went something like this” Hi Paul this is Andrew how did you go?” He said in a raised and excited voice “Drew I think I got a good one from what I know there are no birds that have clocked in my area.” I said “Wow Paul Good luck. Let me know how you went” He said “No worries Drew I will call you tonight”. The conversation was short and full of the drama that is pigeon racing, the greatest backyard sport in the world. I did not continue the conversation because I knew Paul was waiting for more birds and that he would call me that night to continue the conversation.

I was hopeful that Paul was competitive and did not give the conversation much more thought that afternoon. I remember looking at the trees in my backyard and the wind had sprung up and from my reckoning it had a strong westerly influence. This West wind meant that fliers along the eastern side of the Federation had a better chance of getting a high position. Paul was a long flier but did not live along the eastern side so I thought if he could get a top 10 position he would be doing well.

 So later that night I received a phone call from Paul and he said “Drew I won the Fed” I said “What do you mean?” I won the race in Greater Melbourne Fed (GMPF)”. A fast conversation ensued and I had found out that his bird had come second in the National race only one yard behind Jessie Egan and 1^st overall for the GMPF. I then asked “Was it one of your Janssens?” He quickly replied “Yes it was a hen off my Produce hen” Now Pauls’ Produce hen won her race from West Wyalong by an astonishing 84metres/minute and was subsequently stocked. I was amazed that such birds existed and even further mystified that they could in turn pass on their genetics to their progeny so quickly. After our prolonged conversation I hung up the phone and thought to myself how wonderful for Paul to be able to have such great quality birds and train them for success.

Paul standing in front of his race loft

When I asked Paul about his breeding philosophy Paul replied “Like most fliers I am continually looking for birds that will improve my results. Over the years I have tried many different strains and the only one left from the past are the Trevor Barker Red Fox Janssens. These Red Foxes have continuously clocked for me over many years and due to their success I have continually looked for more Janssens that could either improve my results or blend back to this family.”

Which line do you believe has the predominant influence in your Janssen family?

 “At the moment it would have to be the Honeysuckle line followed by the Grenville Evans birds. The Grenville birds are an amazing family and I am surprised that they can still be so competitive after all these years. Grenville is a master selector and breeder of birds”

Can you explain how you acquired your Honeysuckle family?

“The Honeysuckle's originated for me from a pair that Stevan Gazzola and I bought from John Shore. I called them the No 1 Pair and I received 4 Cocks from the pair initially. They all produced Fed birds for me and later down the track I managed to get another son from Stevan. I called him "Pied Henry". He was a Fed bird for Stevan in Young birds. It was Pied Henry that bred my Cobar Fed winner and 2nd National last year when mated to Paramount Penelope who is a nestmate to Paramount Princess who was my 1st Fed West Wyalong Produce by 84mpm.

I have now mated these Honeysuckle's back into the Grenville Evans "Braveheart" Honeysuckle's and they cross very well into the Red Fox and Marilyn Janssen's.”

Paramount Producer VHA 05 17061

So what about the other lines of Janssens?

“They are also super important as they provide vigour back to the family. Paramount Pride as an example is made up of Richard Clingan Marilyn Janssens crossed with Keith Saggers Red Fox Janssens. . Then you have a Red Fox Janssen named ‘Soapie’ that has bred 4 high federation positions in the greater Melbourne over the past 2 years. I can continue with the number of important Janssen birds in my loft but believe me they are all important and are all there for a reason

 The Red Foxes have 2 different lines. One is the original family from Keith Saggers which came from the original imports back in 1988. The last Cock off the "Trevor Barker" pair produced 4th Fed Shepparton this season as a 13yo.The original Trevor Barker pair was gifted to Trevor by Keith Saggers who told Trevor that "he needed some good pigeons to start with". This was so true with an unbelievable amount of Fed places coming from these over the years. Trevor had wanted me to have this pair and I duly collected them after his death in 1996.

The other family of Red Foxes is the top performing Geronimo line which has bred us 3rd, 4th & 14th Fed in the last 2 seasons. “

Paul’s current number 1 Red Fox Janssen that has produced 3 Federation positions in 2 years

The Trevor Barker Red Fox Janssen  VHA 01 9660  is still producing Federation birds

The Marilyn Janssen's came from Richard Clingan. I went to Richard's sale and picked out the great "Mr Marilyn" who has been my foundation Cock. Along the way I have sourced more Marilyn Janssen's and have kept them straight to put in with the Red Foxes and Honeysuckle's.

Mr Marilyn bred by Richard Clingan TAS 01 285 is still a valuable stock bird

So how do you describe your Janssen family? “Basically it is a family that is currently performing at a high level. It is a mixture of Honeysuckle, Red Fox, Grenville Evans and Marilyn Janssens that is being continually blended to give me great results in the Greater Melbourne Federation”

I heard you also had some success in the Adelaide Club with one of your birds? “Yes you are right. I sent a Janssen hen this year the same way bred as Paramount Princess that won the Produce for me and she placed for me on three occasions during the season. I will be getting her back shortly and she will be going straight into stock”.

Paramount Princess 1^st Fed West Wyalong Produce by 84mpm 

So can you tell me about the breeding of your successful birds this year?

My Fed places this year have been:

 Blue Bar Hen GMPF 12- 457, 11th Fed Shepparton, Vel:1452mpm she is off the "Paramount Producer" Braveheart Janssen cock 17061 and BB 06 5245 Janssen off "Blue Barry" 24736 & 24762 (21st Fed Carrieton VHA)

Red Cheq Pied Hen GMPF-12-5252, 4th Fed Shepparton, Vel 1126mpm- She is off Red Fox Janssen 9660 & Silver Shadow GRZ 13230 off 14445 Old Pied & Grizzethel (Granddaughter of "Grizzelda")

Blue Bar Hen HTWC 13- 47, 11th Fed Finley, Vel:1093mpm she is off the Braveheart Janssen cock 17061 and BB 06 5245 Janssen off 24736 & 24762 (21st Fed Carrieton

Meally Hen GMPF 12-382, 14th Fed West Wyalong. Vel: 1750mpm, she is off the Red Fox Janssen Cock Suth 07-1856 “Soapy” & BBH Aust 10 19604, 8th Adelaide Club from Lyndhurst  Vel: 1622, She is off the Braveheart Janssen cock 17061 and BB 06 5245 off 24736 & 24762 (21st Fed Carrieton

Blue Bar Cock GMPF-13-9867, 8th Fed Narrandera Vel:1478mpm, he is off the Blue Bar Cock 4825 Van Loon & Silver Shadow GRZ 13230 off 14445 Old Pied & Grizzethel

Blue Cheq Hen GMPF-13-9855, 2nd Fed West Wyalong 2, Vel:1593mpm, she is off Blue Cheq Cock Melb-09-406 1^st Fed Condobolin, son of Mr Marilyn and Slate Hen 2984 off 24736 & 24762 (21st Fed Carrieton. Her Dam is BBH 15997 “Paramount Penelope” nestmate to “Paramount Princess”

Blue Bar Hen GMPF-13-9825, 8th Fed Condobolin 1, Vel:1422mpm, she is off BCPC 5172 Van Loon & Slate Melb 07 2984 Marilyn, Red Fox & Honeysuckle Janssen 18th Fed Fowlers Gap and 26th Fed in the National.   

Meally Hen GMPF 12-5208, 3rd Fed Condobolin. Vel: 1295mpm, she is off the Red Fox Janssen Cock Suth 07-1856 “Soapy” & BBH Aust 10 19604, 8th Adelaide Club from Lyndhurst  Vel: 1622, She is off the Braveheart Janssen cock 17061 and BB 06 5245 Janssen off 24736 & 24762 (21st Fed Carrieton

Blue Bar Hen GMPF-13-9865, 13th Fed Narromine 1, Vel:1331mpm, she is off BCPC 5172 Van Loon & Slate Melb 07 2984 Marilyn, Red Fox & Honeysuckle Janssen 18th Fed Fowlers Gap and 26th Fed in the National.   

Blue Bar Hen GMPF 13-9890, 4th Fed & 17th National from Cobar Vel: 1274, she is off Blue Cheq Cock Melb-09-406 1^st Fed Condobolin,son of Mr Marilyn and Slate Hen 2984 off 24736 & 24762 (21st Fed Carrieton. Her Dam is BBH 15997 “Paramount Penelope” nestmate to “Paramount Princess”

Blue Bar Hen GMPF-13-9866, 1st Fed Narromine 2, Vel:1604mpm, she is off BCPC 5172 Van Loon & Slate Melb 07 2984 Marilyn, Red Fox & Honeysuckle Janssen 18th Fed Fowlers Gap and 26th Fed in the National.  

  ‘Little Suzie’ 2984 Marilyn/Red Fox Janssen dam of two 1^st Feds

You are currently running second in the GMP averages. What is the reason for your success?

“It is a combination of things really. I was previously living in Aspendale with a small set up. I now live in Somerville on acreage and even though I am not ideally positioned when there is a West wind my birds seem to be able to break at the right time to make me competitive in most of the races. Due to my larger stock loft I am also able to keep a larger number of birds which allow me to experiment more with different pairings. I am therefore able to identify my best birds much quicker and concentrate on those blood lines in my breeding program. The good birds basically pick themselves and I go from there. Over the past few years my Janssen family have achieved most of my results in my loft.

I also think it is important to have a good management system in place. This involves having a good health regime using probiotics, vitamins and antibiotics. This is something that all fanciers need to work out themselves through asking questions, experimentation and reading various literature on these subjects.

The last part of the puzzle is getting the birds race fit and motivated. Finding the right combination of loft flying and tossing is an art that all pigeon fliers are continually trying to develop. I think it is important to watch your birds continuously during the season as they will tell you whether they are in form. You do not have to continuously toss your birds to achieve success and sometimes a short toss will achieve more than a long one. The secret is knowing when to toss and how far”

Have you had any other birds that have been successful in your loft this year? 

“Yes the Van Loons seem to have some promise as I have had 2 high federation positions with them this year and just won a 1^st Federation with a Vanloon X Janssen from Narromine”

Paus latest Federation winner  1^st Federation Narromine GMPF 13 9866 Vanloon x Janssen hen

I am amazed that a family of birds that is 100 years old can be so competitive in today’s pigeon environment. Would you like to comment on this?

“Drew you are 100% correct. This family of birds has been bred in Belgium by the Janssen Brothers and shipped around the world with amazing success. If you go through most successful birds today they have an infusion of Janssen blood in them to speed them up or make them orientate faster. What I am amazed about is that the birds can be kept so pure with very few crosses and stay in front of the pack.”

So are you looking for better birds?

“Always. Like most fliers I am looking for top birds that will improve my family”

What do you look for?

“Through previous experiences I now look for birds that win continuously and in big races. I look for a family of birds that are continuously placed high in the Fed. I would rather buy 1 or 2 top birds than buy half dozen birds of lesser quality to place into stock.

Before I consider purchasing I also consider how the birds will be bred back into my own family”

Which birds might you be introducing in the future?

It depends on what is performing. I don’t necessarily want to buy straight off the imports that have not produced federation results in Australia. I would prefer to find birds that have produced high federation results in big competition and cross them back to my Janssens. As an example my current Vanloons are currently a successful cross”

So what birds are you looking at?

“I may introduce some Herman Cuesters, Bosua or Der Rau Sablon birds in the future if I think there is merit in it. But before any birds enter my stock loft these days I prefer that the birds have some of performance in their pedigrees. I only have a small stud so any birds that come into my stock loft have to be pretty good birds”

So what plans do you have for the future?

“More of the same I suppose. Like all fliers I am always trying to improve. This happens by finding better birds, improving the birds diet, better training, finding ways to motivate your birds and looking for better health supplements. Obviously I have this balance worked out this year but that doesn’t mean I have it all worked out because next year I may encounter different problems. I think this is the beauty of pigeon racing as it constantly challenges you, as soon as you think you have everything right and nature throws you a curve ball and you are back to square one.

Being a competitive flier means you must understand genetics, have an excellent loft management system and be consistent in your application of all the basics. This is why pigeon racing is indeed the best backyard hobby in the world”

 Paul holding his latest Federation winner