B.J's. DICKIE BIRD DERBY
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The sport of kings
The runners are waiting restlesly in the traps. The crowd in hushed exited expectation.
The bang of starting gun sets the crowd into a cheering frenzie as the birds leap from the traps, like the thoroughbreds they are. The crowd are on their feet, everyone urging their chosen bird to win them that elusive pot of gold. As for the birds, the first past the post will have all the adoration of the flock & be feted as a hero & champion...Almost in the blink of an eye, it's all over. The 1st,2nd, & 3rd. are led to the podium. taking their rightful place in the Dicky Bird hall of fame. The punters, a few cheering as they collect their winnings. The others either muttering about race fixing or philosophically checking out the runners for the next race.Throwing good money after bad.
THE HOW IT'S DONE BIT,
Another nice one for YouTube....I taught some of my birds this one to keep both the kids amused & the birds exercised. After a lot of experimentation I found Christmas cake made the perfect lure with normal fruit cake a good substitute. You will have to find your own birds favourite treat. Tie a lump on a light string & let your birds have just a little taste. Now by slowly pulling it along you can get your birds to follow. Keep it slow & short & gradually increase the speed. Take care to keep the speed down to a run, or the birds may be tempted to fly. I remember the kids taking these birds & the equipment to their Open Day School Fair. They made a lot of money for school funds. You will need a mini starting gate, I used plywood & the wire tray from an old gas cooker. Make an oblong box with several compartments & fit the wire tray over the front as in Grayhound Racing traps. Aim for a track length of about 1yd or 1mtr... Yours B.J.
