Logical Tippler Flying

Jack Prescott
(Internet Published) Nov 2001

A complete kit or part of a kit of Tipplers is ruined if it fails to drop within bounds after a fly. To use the same pigeons again in a contest is almost a guarantee that the same thing will happen again. These are not words that originate from me - They are words spoken by the most successful of Tippler men over many years and I certainly believe them.

When men of Sheffield got together after a contest there was a sort of an inquest on all kinds of failures. Some men were ridiculed for making the same mistake twice, but these days failures resulting in disqualification are repeated with apparent lack of concern to the extent that they are not so ashamed that they become determined to do better in future. The operative word is "apathy" which is the most despicable of vices.

The facts are that Tipplers, which have flown lengthy times, are likely to be very nervous when approaching the loft in order to drop. In some cases they prefer to drop anywhere but on the loft top. This is why Tipplers of such nervous nature require to have the pull and encouragement from Droppers. This means that these nervous types need to be very familiar with the Droppers. This can only be achieved if the Tipplers and Droppers from very early age are caused to be intensely gregarious with each other. Long periods in the aviary together, taking baths together and developing some kind of hierarchy and confidence with each other. Otherwise to expect such nervous tipplers to respond to Droppers that they see very rarely, is asking too much.

Another observation is that Tipplers, which fly away at dropping time to go and roost elsewhere out of the general loft area, have probably gone to a place where they have been dropping at intervals all day. Only intensely mobile refereeing or really expert observation will detect these defects which one established will continue.

[Internet Published Nov 2001 at http://www.tipplers.com/jack/]