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61 – Purebred PIGEON
Roller? Why can’t you breed for show and
air? The Flying Roller is not hard to breed;
they will breed in a cardboard box.
When I say the Flying Roller needs
a standard I do not mean a big complex
point system. Something similar to the
Flying Tippler, something simple, and
something so breeders have a guideline
to go off of. I think it is just as important
to get a standard written for the judges as
well. Without a standard, the judge just
goes by what he likes and it becomes the
luck of the draw. For example, if you get
a judge that only prefers bigger birds and
you only raise small birds, well then you’re
basically at a loss in the competition. I
feel this may discourage fanciers and turn
newer exhibitors away.
Now, I know some people are against
showing Rollers and that is fine, but there
are some fanciers who just show and do
not fly. I do both show and fly, but I do not
fly competition. For some other breeders
(myself included) it may be very difficult
to fly due to birds of prey. There was a
gentleman who resided around the corner
from me and just strictly flew Rollers.
It got to the point where he sold all his
Rollers because he could not fly anymore
due to the fact that the birds of prey were
just out of control. So, why not focus on
creating a standard for breeders who
have much difficulty flying and want to
stay with the breed? Perhaps if a written
standard had been created for how to show
Rollers he may still have his Rollers and
continue to enjoy this hobby.
I know this is just one example, but
pigeons seem to be a dying hobby and I
feel we need as many fanciers as possible.
I do not see many other 28-year-olds with
pigeons. I love breeding Flying Rollers –
they are so interesting and you can do so
many things with them.
I hope we can get a show standard
written. I am eager to continue my love
and passion for this amazing hobby that
has been sent down from generation to
generation and I want to continue with
the family tradition one day. Anybody who
has Rollers and wants to show, who does
show, or is afraid to show, I hope you bring
them out for all to see!•
Frank D’Alessandro judging Old German Owls
Below more of this Rollers
Frank D’Alessandro’s trophies and awards for his Flying Rollers