Black Sheep
About twenty-five years ago I read an article on the Black Eagles of South Africa in an American Pigeon Journal. I have been obsessed with black racing pigeons ever since. However I was frustrated by most of the blacks I saw. Most were bred more for color or show then racing type or ability.
In 1991 I bought a black cock for $5 at a swap meet. The guy I bought him from had used him as a feeder for his fancy birds and knew nothing about his back ground. I only flew birds for my own enjoyment back then but in 1996 I joined a club and began racing. In 96 that old $5 cock bred 4 youngsters. Three of them got 300 mile diplomas in YB's and the fourth got one as a yearling.
"Ace of Spades" was a grand son of that old $5 cock. He flew 20 races in three years. With a five bird clocking limit he was in my clock 14 out of those twenty races. Placing 4th 300, 17th 300, 7th 400, 12th 400, 7th 500 on the day. Saddly, I had to put him down at the age of four due to an illness.
Still a work in progress, the Black Sheep are the result of crossing the offspring of "Ace of Spades" on Sions and taking the resulting black youngsters back to Sions. My goal is a family of blacks with the build, feather texture and spirit of a Sion that can win at any level or distance. After several generations they are taking shape. I'm now breeding them black on black. I still get a few blues and white flights out of them but the majority are black.
In 2010 I raced three black yb's. Our club only flew 3 three races 100, 100 and 150. One black 2397 placed in all three 1st 100, 4th 100 and 7th 150. Another 2374 place 2nd 150 miles. The 3rd black just placed 1st 150 as a yearling.
I'm very excited about these blacks and can't wait to test them at longer distances.
Young birds from this family when available are $100 each. See my "Sales" page for details and shipping information.
Below are some of my favorite Black Sheep.
Please excuse the poor picture. "Ace" is the foundation cock for my Black Sheep family. He was scalped as a youngster and was ugly as home made sin but he was the most consistant pigeon I've flown to date.
"1531" is the dam to "700".
"700" is the sire of "2397".
Our club only flew three YB races in 2010. "2397" placed in all three.
Copyright . Mark Kellems. All rights reserved.
