ACCEPTANCE AND INSPECTION OF
PIGEONS FOR COMPETITION

This document is to be displayed prominently in all Basketing Centres


The Federation's Racing Rules and the "Code of Practice for pigeon keeping and racing in Western Australia" approved under the Animal Welfare Act 2002 and the Animal Welfare (General) Regulations 2003 are very specific in the requirements that must be met before every individual pigeon is accepted for competition:

Basketing must be supervised by a member who has successfully completed the Federation's Health Steward Course. A qualified Health Steward shall examine each bird before accepting its nomination.

Every individual pigeon must meet all of the following criteria or it is to be rejected:

GOOD HEALTH:
The pigeon must be in sound health and have a level of physical fitness suitable to successfully complete the journey set for the event. Any of the following are indicative of poor health and the pigeon must be rejected:

• general lassitude
• respiratory disease indicated by wheezing, sneezing, nasal or eye discharge
• pigeon pox
• any obvious sickness

FREE FROM INJURY OR IMPAIRMENT The pigeon must not have any physical problem that is likely to diminish its ability to successfully complete the journey. Examples include:

• Injuries and scaring both old and new which are visible or felt when holding the pigeon
• Insufficient feathering which is likely to inhibit the pigeon from flying competitively
• Insufficient primary wing flights
• A pigeon presented in the eighth and one half stage of primary flight growth, irrespective whether number ten primary flight remains attached or not

NO PARASITES
All pigeons are to be examined for signs of external parasites. Any bird so infested must be rejected. Birds rejected due to a light infestation may be treated with an insecticide approved for use on pigeons and then represented. Any pigeon with a heavy external parasite infestation is to be refused entry absolutely and not represented again at that basketing session.

All basketing centres are required to have an ample supply of an insecticide approved for use on pigeons available at all times.

FREE FROM SIGNS OF NEGLECT
No pigeon presented in a soiled and generally dishevelled condition is to be accepted.

DRUG FREE
Any pigeon apparently under the influence of any performance-enhancing drug is to be rejected and the flyer reported to the Federation.

Failure to comply with these requirements will be taken very seriously by the Federation and could result in disciplinary action. Prosecution by the authorities could result in a fine of up to $50,000 AND imprisonment for up to five years.


Issued in April 2003 by the Board of Control
Independent Racing Pigeon Federation (Inc)