Christmas present from my dear wife!!

Two caps and a sweatshirt with the design....a real surprise!!

Complete list of all my current breeders for 2012.

Cocks:
1."Optimus Prime"  Foundation cock from GHC...Ace Bird
2. "699's Bet" Protege Loft Bred Super Crack and Sure Bet.
3. 875- Houben/Janssen
4. 1501- Great Racer, Ace Bird... brother to Champion OB
5. 1865- Frank Hittle Hofken/Barry Yu - Global One
6. "Sno Bro" full brother to Snow Bird Winner "Kid Cook".
7. "Gramps" GHC Winner.
8. "Best Mattens" Inbred Golden Mattens out of Imports (On Loan).
9.  5221 - Sire of winners.
10.  "3"  GFL Hollywood, Prize Fighter, Golden Mattens.
Hens:
1. "2" GFL
2. 319- Pure Koopman out of Imports
3. 2355 - Full sister to Bruce Cerone's "Hurricane"
4.  1159 - daughter of "Optimus Prime
5. 597 - Tony Soulis GHC
6. 256 Van Won Roy/ Jan Arden
7. 1105 - Money winner in Grain Belt Classic
8.  298 - Muelman/Van Riel
9. 1926 - Sister to 1501
10. 1309 - Great racer. daughter of " Optimus Prime"

2012 Breeding began today!

With the hope for some early youngsters, I put my breeders together today.  Lots of activity in the loft.

Some of my 2012 breeders

Young Bird season just finished and I'm dreaming about 2012 babies for next years team!

Hens

Cocks

Foundation Breeders

"OPTIMUS PRIME "
AU Omaha 7208
Champion OB ORPC
Sire of Ace Category birds....Club and Combine Champs
Sired by AU GHC 6445 who scored several 2nds and 3rds in the GHC
 against thousands of birds Cock and an Art Hees Verheye Hen



"699's BET"
AU Protege 4
Sire of winners to 300 miles
Sire of nest mates who were top 10 in 2011Husker Hawkeye ATO
Sired by Son of "Super crack 699" and out of a double granddaughter of "Sure Bet"



YB 2011 Season

Really enjoyed my first year of racing.  Actually managed to pretty well.  Here are the final results.

1.  3rd place average speed.   Birds flew 1284.780 miles
2.  Was 5th place Champion Loft.
3.  Had 11 birds listed on the Champion Bird report.

Several birds earned diploma's
Flew all of my birds at least 100 miles and several were in the last 300 mile race.

WON MY FIRST RACE !!!!!!

Haven't posted anything for quite a while but I entered my first race 8/20 from Manhattan Kansas, 122 miles for my birds and not only did I win the race but had the first 5 and 7th with 8 birds sent.

Nice day to fly!!

Just a few birds...trying to get better at taking flying pictures.

These guys will make up half my YB team.  So far everythings going well!!

New member of the team!

Gift baby I have high hopes for!! Very well bred from a very successful flyer!

Successful first outing for YB's

Let my babies out last week for the first time.  They all made it back in well.  The next day snow returned so this week will be back at learning to fly.

Really nice day!

The weather couldn't be nicer.  Weaned my babies this morning and seem to be doing well.  Next step will be getting them flying.  Keeping my fingers crossed.

Really been cold!!!

The temps have been below zero and wouldn't you know it....birds are laying second round eggs.  Probably froze the first ones, we'll see.  Oddly enough they all made it.

This is the new bird .

He's a Dad now.  One the color of it's Mom and the other grizzle like him.  Hope they do him proud.

New guys at 19 days old

My Loft

New addition

Attached is a copy of the pedigree of a new addition that was a gift who I hope will produce some winning flyers.

Just Beginning

Every since I was a boy, I've wanted to have pigeons.  I keep telling my wife that I'm sure she thinks I'm nuts but she has been very supportive.  I met some really helpful people in my area who have helped me along.  This fall I built what may become just the beginning of my facility.  I really enjoyed building it and am proud of my attempt.  Anyone who views this blog and has some hints or tips for the future be sure to let me know.  I'll keep everyone posted on my activity.  I currently have 6 pairs of breeders that were all gifts from club members.  From these I have 4 newly hatched youngsters that I cant wait to fly and hopefully race.