Shipping Pigeons by Air Cargo
June 2024 — Delta's Air Cargo program has pigeon-friendly requirements for carrying pigeons in cargo and allow up to 70lbs in weight for one large "kennel" (or wooden boxes attached together). Delta Cargo stopped flying pets, including birds, using their express DASH service. This is not a big impact on your travel except to know you must now be at the cargo facility three hours in advance of the flight departure and the connecting flight must allow for two hours between flights. The rates seem relatively the same ($175 one way average under 70 lbs). There may be other airlines such as Alaska that allow pigeons as check-in for a flat fee; however, they require a health certificate by a vet within 10 days of the flight. Delta does not require a health certificate if you accept responsibility for shipping healthy birds and waive Delta from liability for water/feeding during flight.
Flying Delta Cargo to Oklahoma City National in January 2025
Delta Cargo flies into the Oklahoma City (OKC) airport. The Oklahoma City Delta Cargo facility is located on 6300 AIR CARGO RD, BAY M, OKLAHOMA CITY OK 73159. The Louisville Cargo Facility is open M-F 4:30 am to 9 pm; Saturday and Sunday 8 am to 4:30 pm. When the show ends early Saturday afternoon, you can arrange a flight later that day before closing (flights can be after 4:30), or stay the night with birds in box for Sunday.
Contact Delta Cargo for airline cargo travel at 800.352.2746, extension 3, then 1. You can only reserve 13 days in advance of the day you fly, but you can call much earlier to check for flights and costs. To see details of their shipment and container requirements, go to www.deltacargo.com.
2024 - 2025 AKC Young, District and National Show Schedule
Third District Young Bird Show
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Check-in birds Friday, October 4.
Judge: David Macaluso
Location:
Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center, West Pavilion Building, 937 Phillips Lane, Louisville, Kentucky 40209
Entries: $5.25 per bird postmarked by Sept. 21, 2024. Form available on NYBS website or in AKC Sept. bulletin.
Premiums: Grand Champ $200; Best color classes between $25-50 per color. Best silver cock and hen $50 each.
Hotel: Hampton Inn Louisville-Airport, 800 Phillips Ln., Louisville, KY 40209. Phone 502.366.8100. Best rate by Oct. 1. Group NYBS.
Show Coordinator:
Bill Cunningham, phone: 270-825-3693; email: bkcun@att.net
First District Show
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Sponsored by Eastern King Club. Check-in and setup Friday afternoon Oct. 25 between 2-6pm, or NLT 9 am Saturday.
Judge: Larry Warnecke, Highland, Ill.
Location:
286 Goods Rd, Conestoga, PA. (Scott Groff's back property).
Entries: $4.50 per bird due by Oct. 14, 2024, sent to Barry Welty. Entry form in Sept. AKC bulletin or contact the show coordinator. Eastern King Club membership $10.
Show Coordinator:
Barry Welty, email: bwelty1954@gmail.com; phone: (304) 820-9254
Second District Show
December 6-7, 2024
Check-in Friday Dec. 1 by 7:30pm.
Judge: Mike Messick, Canon City, CO
Location:
Madison County Fairgrounds Expo Building, Highland, IL.
Hotel: Seasons Inn & Suites, 20 Central Blvd., Highland, IL 62249. Phone: 618.651.1100
Ask for American King Club show rates.
Entries: $4.50 per bird due Nov. 29, 2024. Form available in September AKC bulletin or request from Larry Warnecke. Join the Midwest King Club to be eligible for show premiums.
Premiums: Champion $100; $20 Best Young 8 color classes.
Show Coordinator and entries to:
Larry Warnecke, 13084 Michael Road, Highland, IL 62249; phone: 618.651.1100; email: lwarnecke58@gmail.com
Third-Fourth District Show
November 8-9, 2024
In conjunction with the Southern Classic.
Coop birds Nov. 8 between 8am-5pm.
Judge: Sandy Messick, Canon City, CO.
Location: Alexandria Mega Shelter, 8125 Hwy. 71 South, Alexandria, Louisiana.
Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites Alexandria, 6124 W. Calhoun Dr., Alexandria, LA. Phone 318.445.4449. $109 per night; ask for Southern Pigeon Club group rate.
Entry fee: $5 per bird postmarked by Nov. 1st. Late fee $6 per bird. Entry form found in AKC September bulletin.
Contact: James Stewart at 337.581.1523 for more information.
Fifth District Show
November 22-23, 2024
Arrive afternoon of Thursday, Nov. 21 to coop pigeons. In conjunction with the Pageant of Pigeons Show sponsored by Los Angeles Pigeon Club.
Judge: Darius Cireap, Ravenna, Italy
Location: San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, 14800 7th St., Victorville, CA
Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn, 12603 Mariposa Rd, Victorville, Discount Code LAPC
Entry fee: $6 per bird postmarked by October 31. Open entry form here. Entries managed by LAPC and sent to John DeCarlo Jr.
Contact: Dennis Rogers or District Director Charlie Hall
Seventh District King Show
None this year.
At Pigeons on the Prairie, Des Moines, Iowa.
Judge: N/A
Location:
Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines, Iowa. More details here
Hotel: N/A
Entry Form: N/A
Show Coordinator: Ned Wilkom, P.O. Box 136, Cavott, WI 54727.
National King Show
January 16-18, 2025
In conjunction with the NPA Grand National Pigeon Show in Oklahoma City, OK. Check-in Wednesday Jan. 15 by 6 pm.
Judge: Scott Groff, Conestoga, PA
Location: Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, Pavillion Building. Address: 3212 Wichita Walk, Oklahoma City, OK 73107.
Hotel: Best Western Plus Saddleback Inn & Conference Center, 4300 SW 3rd Street, Oklahoma City. Reserve a room using this group rate hotel link.
Airport/Shuttle service: The hotel is approx. two miles from the fairgrounds and four miles from the Will Rogers World Airport (OKC). The hotel is providing a free shuttle for both venues.
Entries: NPA members $5.50 per bird; non-members $6.50 per bird postmarked by Dec. 26, 2024. NPA Entry form here. Check their website for updates.