John O’Toole – Double I.S.R.F. Winner 2005

By Noel Winston 

I was asked the other day how big the Irish South Road Fed was and for the life of me I didn’t really know the answer but as it happened I knew someone who did. So off I popped to the fed president Mr. Henry Byrne to ask him.  

I was a bit surprised by the answer, which is that the fed covers, an area from Dundalk in Co.Louth to Greystones in Co. Wicklow and 14 miles inland from the coast. That is approximately 73 miles by 14. There are 650+ members and 27 clubs affiliated to the fed. Birdage in old birds is an average of 7000 and in young birds the average is 8000 per race although this has risen to over 10000 on a regular basis.

A very difficult federation to win which brings me nicely to my next loft report which in on a member of one of the strongest clubs in the fed, namely John O’Toole of the Finglas RPC.

John has been racing pigeons in the Finglas Club since 1972 when the club was located at the Tolka Cottages. Over the years he flew very well and was always a consistent flyer, winning more than his share. He stopped racing for a time but returned in 2002.  

The following year he was again back to his old self and had a very good year but in 2004 due to unfortunate circumstances he could not race. Not to be outdone he was back with a bang in 2005, topping the fed twice and winning 1st and 3rd Best Young Bird in the fed. He was also 5th in the Top 50 Fed Points, 6th in the Overalls points, 6th in the Young Bird points, 6th in the Young Birds Top 50 points, and 10th in the Top 50 Old Birds Points. His two fed wins came in young birds with 1st fed Pilmore Beach (1) with 319 members sending 7746 birds and again 1st fed from Pilmore Beach with 354 members sending 6789 birds. Altogether he scored 36 times in the fed, which includes taking 15th, 19th, 23rd, 26th, 73rd, 79th, 94th and 99th in the same Open Barleycove Young Birds when 232 sent 2765 birds. 

In his club he scored 7 first positions with one in old birds and three in young birds. He took seven 2nd and 6 x 3rd positions as well not to mention the rest of his positions. All this flying against without question some of the best fanciers in the fed. I could go on detailing his results but John being John he asked me just to write a small article. 

His birds come from a variety of sources but in the main are Janseens, Soontjen and Houben birds.

He crosses all his strains when breeding. He obtained some of his birds from auctions and others from top lofts.

He races both widowhood and natural and keeps about ten pairs of stock birds, which are paired in February with the rest of the birds. He breeds about 60 young birds per year.

Feeding for the Stock birds is a good breeding mix with maize and he will only treat them if advised to following testing of the droppings. Apple cider vinegar is used every day and on Wednesday they get multivitamins.

Like his stock birds the racers are paired in February and some will rear young.

Both the hens and cocks rear the young to weaning age but they are not allowed sit a 2nd round.

Training for the old birds starts two weeks before the first race and they are trained once per day from 20 miles. And they are not flown around the house. Training is continued right through the season. Feeding consists of a standard mix through out the week and they are fed once per day as much as they want. Like the stock they have cider vinegar every day and multivitamins once per week. Again he only treats his birds when advised to do so.

His young birds are weaned at 28 days and are placed straight on to the darkness system from 5pm to 9am each day. They are not allowed out until they are strong on the wing although they have the use of a large aviary so they get a good view of their surroundings before release. They are fed twice a day with a light feed in the morning and as much as they want in the evening. They are trained twice per day starting at 12 miles where they have 10 tosses, building up to 30 miles which they stay at for the rest of the season. They are fed a good young bird mix with some peanuts used on occasion. They are allowed to pair but are not allowed to rear young. All the young birds must race the program with the exception of Talbenny were only some are sent.

 As you can see once again the system is kept simple but John feels that you must keep to a daily routine. The birds are fed, trained etc at the same times each day and soon become accustomed to the routine. Chopping and changing feeding/ training times upset the birds and prevents them from performing their best. After that its good food and a happy loft and the birds will reward you for your effort.

When I called on John to do this report I thought it would take an hour or so but we spent less time talking about the report and more time talking about times past and some of the great characters who have graced our sport over the years. I personally had a very enjoyable afternoon and learned a thing or too as well.

My thanks to John and his good wife for their hospitality and for allowing me to write this report.

Noel Winston

E-Mail: dublin_view@iolfree.ie