Mike
O’Sullivan races with the Frankenmuth Racing Pigeon Club in Michigan. His end-of-year report on his 2013 racing
season was successful. Out of the birds
he banded and raised himself, he donated several to various functions such as a
club auction and a local 4-H member. He
had a fantastic season with the remainder.
He took six
diplomas: 1 each for a 1st, 2nd, 3rd,
and 4th place in the young bird races. He also took highest average speed
for 2013, B Young Birds series of races from 0 to 200 miles and highest average
speed for B Young Birds series of races from 0 to 550 miles. He
considered that quite an accomplishment for just starting out.
As a young teenager he
raised a few pigeons just for fun. His many
years of raising a wide variety of livestock on a small farm helped him with selection,
breeding and maintaining a healthy flock of racing pigeons.
He admits to an unusual
technique in selecting and breeding his birds. In 2012, he was given
several gift birds from other fliers in the club and bought a number at the
club auctions. He was not only looking for strong, healthy birds but took
an eye to the "Pretty Birds" and concentrated his breeding toward choosing
pairs that might produce unusual color patterns. Apparently it paid off
in his 2013 birds, and his 2014 early hatches are looking really good.
Mike received a lot of
support and encouragement from other fliers in the club. His "Pretty
Bird Loft" would often bring out some chuckles and head shaking, but all
in all, he can see a place for the splashes, grizzles, reds and silvers in
among the blue bars and checks.
A contributing factor to
Mike’s success was the AU’s Help-A-Beginner program that pairs new members with
a mentor. “The Help-A-Beginner Program is a great stepping stone to success for our
new members. It is an excellent way to
advance quicker than just doing it on your own,” says Steve Jenkins, HAB
Program Coordinator for the Eastern Half of the U.S.
Congratulations to Mike!
And to those who are
beginning the hobby and could use a little guidance, check out the HAB
program. It could make the difference
for your racing success.
