About 44 years ago my father drove me to see a fellow named Grant Willard, who raised fantails in my hometown of Port Perry, Ontario, Canada. I was only 4 years old at the time, but it was love at first sight!     I'll never forget that day and the sea of red, all around me.

I have been around pigeons all my life, as my father John and "brother" Dann Maschke raise Modenas. One of my other "brothers" and Buddy, Dan Horner, introduced me to Homers many, many years ago. Through them I was introduced to many breeds and although I appreciate the beauty of all pigeons, my breed of choice has always been the Fantail. I do raise some Homers and Frills as well, but for us, it is all about the Fantail.

I remember Dad saying "Save your money. When you have enough to build your own loft, then you can get some Fans." (I think I was 14) Well, I saved, and I saved, and when I raised enough money I built my loft and finally got some Fantails. I raised them for years, but later had to get out of them due to life circumstances.

In 2005 my wife Allison, and I talked about my getting back into the birds, but wound up doing it together. It's funny, you look at Allison...she is not your typical pigeon breeder. She's a trained makeup artist, gorgeous, and she loves the birds as much as I do. I have heard many times how lucky I am that my wife supports me in raising Fantails. Trust me, I know it's true. She truly is my best friend, and we try to do everything together. It's a good thing too, because everyone who knows me, knows I won't go anywhere or do anything without her. She even helped build one of our lofts; just she & I...it's still standing today, too...lol. Allison is also on the executive as a Director of the CCFC, with myself being the Secretary/Treasurer, and is quite active in our club as well as our own Fantails. Now we start this new website together. Our son Jordan and his beautiful wife, Tasha, will be giving us a Grandson in September (to go with the 4 grandkids we so happily gained when they married). Daddy's little Princess, Janelle, our beautiful daughter is still at home. Plus we have the dogs, Mr. Furley & Jesse, and our 18 year old cat Maxi... It's a good life!!

The idea of thepigeoncoop.ca began 3 years ago. We were talking one night about the absence of something like this in Canada. A place where any pigeon breeder could go to find birds, information, supplements, clothing, or anything 'pigeon'. After a lot of conversation and research we decided this past spring, of 2011, to make it a reality.

Our inspiration came through the great people we've met (some have already become good friends). We've watched veteran breeders of our club give their time and knowledge freely and selflessly to other breeders. One in particular, is our friend Brian Pogue. He gives freely to anyone genuinely interested in learning, without wanting anything back, and he promotes the Fantail like no other. Bobby Phillipo, Bob Pommer, Dani Falcone and Mike Boyd are a few others...ambassadors of the Fantail.  Both Allison and I want to give back to this great hobby of ours. We may not have the knowledge that Brian or the others have, yet, but we've created this venue to help others find what they're looking for. 

We hope this website will become a community for all fellow pigeon fanciers; a place to buy and sell, and share information, expertise, remedies...just plain share. We want to promote all pigeons, and the good people that breed them. This website is not just for Fantails; it is for all breeds.

This hobby we share is quite unique. These birds bring all of us so much joy. Our goal is to make this website/community a place you'll want to visit and participate in. We see a lot of new breeders at the shows, who always want information. Together we can give newcomers and all fanciers, news and anecdotes on a daily basis...we really can.
 
So, please enjoy thepigeoncoop.ca. Share your knowledge with the rest of the world, and let's make this the place for pigeon breeders around the world. Let's support every pigeon breeder out there.

To the late Grant Willard, the man who showed me my first Fantail...I thank you, Sir! It is because of you and my Father, that I become that 4 year old boy, each and every time I step into our lofts. May we all be allowed to have this much fun... Thanks Grant. Thanks Dad. Love ya...

 
Thank you, and please enjoy!

PS: To Greg, Doug and everyone at Beapartof.... Wow, thank you.... For everything!!

Jeff & Allison Foote