Warren,
Just got back from the loft and going through the birds again. I tend to sometimes build up unreasonable expectations in my mind, expectations which in reality can't be met. But these birds exceed any expectations I had. Yes, they are beautiful. But it is how they feel in the hand that really impresses me. The feather is outstanding, but honestly most very healthy pigeons will have good feather. What really impresses me is the balance of the birds. Balance can be evaluated by what your eye tells you as you observe the bird, but I put much more importance in what my hands tell me as I hold the bird. The hands reveal the actual balance of the bird. The skeleton structure, which can be hidden from the eye on the well feathered bird, is revealed as you run your hands along the body of the bird. I don't want too much or too little keel, length or depth. The suppleness of the muscle, the tightness of the vent, the softness of feather are best communicated by the hands. My hands like your pigeons.
I know the Ludos are known as primarily middle distance birds with the ability to win the short faster races as well. But my hands tell me these birds can handle the distance as well. In fact, the hens in particular are very similar to the hand as my old family hens were. The old family was extreme long distance birds.
Now that you've read this far, you probably figured out your bet is safe. I don't want your money, even a nifty 25% profit. I want your birds. The only concern I have at the moment is the sex of the birds. Clearly three of the eight are cocks. I know you think one of the silvers is a cock as well, and I agree it's posture indicates cock bird, but so far I haven't noticed any signs of cock-like behavior, though admittedly I have spent very little time with the birds, and today is their first day in a new loft. Plus they spent 36+ hrs in the shipping crates, so a lack of male behavior pattern can be easily explained. Then, of course there is the lack of black flecks. This is a mixed bag. I need the bird to be a cock to keep the numbers balanced, but if the bird is a hen, What a Hen!!
The yearling hen you sent, 695, is quite a specimen. She is very well muscled, almost feels like a cock in the hand. Outstanding pigeon.
The two "Duke of Earl" birds are terrific as well. I like them both very much, and I can see why you think 237x244 would be a good pairing. But as good as the race winner is, his brother 236, may be slightly the better physical specimen, with a great eye. I haven't examined this one in the sun light yet, but I suspect this bird has a great breeding eye.
227 is a stud! A beautiful bird with an attitude. Got to love him. 246 , 248, and 260 are super as well. I have always had a weakness for silvers, and these three are just outstanding. I don't quite have the band numbers and the birds set in my mind, but the smaller of the three (246?) really surprised me when I handled her. She feels larger than she looks!
Well hopefully I've communicated to you how I feel about your birds at this point, and I have hardly spent a full hour with them. Excited about all the breeding possibilities ahead.
Almost forgot, no I don't fly in the Chicago combine. Our combine is the Central Illinois Combine. Probably the widest and deepest front in the country. Nearly 200 miles wide, and 150 miles deep! Would love to fly against those Chicago guys though.
Good Night,
Bill ◄ BACK TO TESTIMONIALS
From William Meyer, Central Illinois Combine