Last week I explained how a racing pigeon auction is organised. I mentioned the importance of holding the auction in an area that pigeon fanciers can reach easily, and recommended that only a champion fancier or one with champion racing pigeons should consider an auction. I also warned against spending too much on a fancy catalogue if you only own a few good birds.
The auction catalogue normally has pictures of one or more of the best birds up for auction on the front page, as well as the viewing time and the time the bidding procedures start. The names and contact details of the auctioneer and the seller are also found on the front page.
Inside the catalogue, the foundation birds are listed first. These are the birds, alive or dead, on which the seller has based his success. Cocks are normally listed first followed by hens. These foundation birds are called “reference birds” and the catalogue gives information such as ring number, colour, sex, strain and so on for each. The names of the hens that were successfully mated are given, as well as the good-quality progeny of each bird. The key foundation bird is indicated as Ref A; Ref B is normally the direct offspring of Ref A. Another son or a grandson can be Ref C, and so on. As a footnote to each bird’s entry, the lot numbers of its offspring available on the auction are given.
After listing the foundation birds, the catalogue gives the names of birds that have been placed on auction, starting with Lot 1. This means that the same bird can be listed as a reference bird and again under its auction lot number. The race team (offspring of the foundation birds) are auctioned next, and then the newly-bred youngsters intended for racing purposes but not yet raced.
Study the auction catalogue beforehand and make your choice. Try to buy direct offspring of the foundation stock and ask the seller to recommend potential mates. Usually the seller has a click pair or two at the core of his success – try to obtain such a pair to start your stock. If you cannot afford them, consider forming a syndicate.
Make sure you follow the procedures attentively so you don’t find yourself bidding for a lot you don’t want. Bid clearly so the auctioneer can see your bidding gesture. At one auction, a fancier sitting immediately in front of me simply nodded, while I waved my sales catalogue to bid. The auctioneer didn’t see him nodding and closed the bid in my favour. The bird I purchased on behalf of a friend happened to be a Sun City Million Dollar Winner. “Noddy” was very disappointed for a long time! – Thomas Smit
Contact Thomas Smit on (011) 680 4778 or e-mail [email protected]. |fw
