The Rockhampton
“Rock”
This years best and fairest award
for Rockvagas is Noel the “Rock” Ballinger. At the youthful age of 60, which seems to be the new age 40s now days,
the “Rock” has found his passion once again with the Rockhampton Invitational Pigeon Association with 19 members,
after starting way back in 1975.
Over 30 years flying at his best Noel Ballinger has only missed being in the top three flyers
in Rockhampton 4 times.
In the flying career of the “Rock”, his most cherish joy over the years has been
only ever missing getting a result from one final race of the year in Rockhampton in 1996, in which Norm Milner won the Race
from Kempsey at 3:30 am in the morning on the second day, with not many birds making it home from that race.
Other special moments include winning Newcastle to Rockhampton with the first two birds in
1995 and holding the distance record of 660 miles in so they say the open era. Also
in his collection is winning the Middleton 600 mile race in 2000.
How the “Rock” won the best and fairest award in the RIPA, was winning the Club
Championship over 27 events, winning the Long Series over 10 events, winning the Breeders plate race by an hour, Winning 5
X 1st Open Races and running 3rd in the Dr Rob Marshall Series.
Noels infantry consists of 30 pairs of stockies, which the “Rock” says is too many. Race team is about 120 birds broken down to 100 youngsters and 20 two year olds. Backbone
bloodline in Noels loft are the Old Alex Barry Pigeons, Vin Blanded birds, Goodgers down from the $1900 cock and some Scrumpy
Van Loons chucked in for some speed.
An Electronic timing clock (Benz) is fitted to the flyers loft and the “Rock” used
this system with great success this year for the first time.
In the off season Noel lets his birds free loft most of the time around the loft to develop
muscle and character, most focus is on keeping the birds clean from lice (with use of Madison 50) and worms and prefers to
let birds immunity system develop.
During the Race season birds are fed from a Hopper
twice a day from feed brought from a local Produce place, which consists of Peas, wheat, Maize, Milo, Linseed, and French
white Millett. The “Rock” mixes 3 parts Milo, 1 part Peas, 2 parts
wheat, 2 parts Corn and once Racing begins at 200 miles, a handful of French white millet and Linseed are added. Additives
to which Noel uses are Iron on the feed, Vitamin A on the feed and New Zealand Manuka Honey (One Teaspoon per 2 litres of
water). The birds are let out once a day for an hour exercise. The “Rock” loft location in town is 50/50 split
in terms of position, from the North and West, Noel sits in an advantage spot, but from the South and South-West Noel is in
a disadvantage spot.
Road training starts 5 weeks before the first race at 5 kilometres and the birds usually have
9 tosses up to and including a 40-kilometre toss. Once the race season has commenced, one 40 kilometres toss is all the “Rock
gives his birds a week. Tossing is also usually around the clock, so birds develop
a better sense of direction and location. The lofts are cleaned once a day in the morning.
The “Rock” believes treating birds only when Training starts and treats for Wet Canker
(use of EMTRYL ¼ teaspoon to 2 litres every 4 weeks),
Baycock 1ml to
the litre every 4 weeks, Epsom salts after 200 miles every Sunday, and Wormer after 200 miles (birds usually given Avitrol
plus individually a week before their race). Resfite for Respiratory problems
when required.
Pairing the Stock
birds usually happens in June after the Rockhampton Show has hit town. These breeders are fed twice a day on a hopper system
like the Flyers are as well. Noel adds extra peas and safflower to his basic
mix brought from Rocky Feed and Seed. The breeding birds are usually well-bred birds that have flown to the last race point.
The breeding method usually is simply only the best birds will do, whether inbreed, cross, line bred or out of the exceptional
racing pigeons. Noel reckons that the key in getting good birds is ensuring the birds are from well proven and tried birds
from Old Fanciers.
For the new flyer
or newcomer, The “Rock” believes the key to starting out is ensuring that we don’t overcrowd our birds for
a start. Then we should concentrate on the proven Aussie Birds before trying the new Imports. Time is well spent on researching
a family of pigeon’s performances before obtaining them. Noel believes the Sport of racing Pigeons will only improve
by encouraging younger people to fly pigeons in the motto of enjoying the birds coming home and competing against good sportsmanship
minded fanciers. For the novice fancier looking to improve, Noel likes sound
body pigeons with good immunity system and few health problems and that is what Noel believes the Novice flyer should be looking
for as well. Money spent on a few real good ones is better then spending next to nothing obtaining a mob of birds with unproven
/ unknown performances. Noel also like to have the breeders and youngsters in the off-season as natural as possible to promote
good strong healthy immunity.
Also attached are four of
the “Rock” 2009 champions.
If interested
in Noel Birds , you can contact Noel on 0749282838
