Rooster J. Cogburn

You probably wouldn't be as stressed

One of my old school pals stays up in Aberdeen,hes studying journalism up there.He was told to give an interesting and factual report on an underground sport.So he chose doo racing .He asked me to give him some background on the sport in Scotland and then asked for my personal experiences and successes so far and most importantly WHY I do it.I got a bit carried away and sent him a few thousand words This was the intro I gave him on why people keep them "I have yet to find a more interesting and fascinating hobby than pigeon racing. It’s a sport of indescribable highs and extreme lows. It’s a sport of uncertainty. There are no rights and wrongs. Everyone has their theories and ideals but pigeon racing is and will always remain a mystery and a past time that throws up surprises on regular basis. In the right company I could have a pigeon conversation hours long. There are fanciers who enjoy having pigeons around them watching them coming home from races and are delighted if they get a certificate or a poke at the pools now and again. I respect them as much as I respect the crack fanciers who dominate federations and win 1st prizes well into double figures year in year out. The people I have no time for are the ones who expect to win without the necessary preparation then sit back and decry those better than them and accuse them of all sorts. There are no real secrets to success in pigeon racing the more you put in the more you will get out"

A few smashers. I like 8 and 6

Mess about with the doos today.Theres egg shells in the hut this morning-someday to be hatching youngsters *shakes head*.Times like this make you realise why a lot of the old boys didn't pair until St.Patricks day. My pals just home from the Shetlands for a week or two so a few of us will head out tonight

Good 2 or 3 inches of snow here in Avonbrig

Some of yer theorists would maybe have you believe they'll not be too hot come yer June/July classics in later life due to their wing moult(they'll be early moulters). Don't know if this is true or not

Aye heard a lot of good fliers say they can tell what yearlings were darkness babies by the feathering

Aye you'll ken yersel if you want to be competetive with youngsters you've probably got to do darkness or light.Mines are too latebred for the light system,another minor drawback is the huts dinnae have power I've a nice wee end that can comfortably hold 24 doos.Was thinking about setting this up for darkness and the rest I'll keep natural. Not been on it since 2005 so we'll see how it goes.

Aye it should be interesting to here what folk have to say on it. I cannae really make up my mind if there any worst or not for it.Thats the thing about it as well once you've done it you cannae undarken them.Theres no way of knowing if the individual doo would have been any better had it been a natural youngster. Suppose its down to how you treat them.If they are half starved and leathered when they're young yur asking for trouble later on,as you would be with natural babies under the same management

Whats your thoughts on young pigeons raced on the darkness?? How do they fare as yearlings and old birds in comparison to natural young birds?

Really enjoyed that.Showing the sport in a positive light anyway. Noticed they were racing quite a few irish and english pigeons.Couldn't get a note of the numbers in time.I want to find whos doos Vinnie Torres and Mike Tyson are racing good balance between his history and the doo game-keep the neutrals interested. We'll probably find out more about the Don Kings years as the series goes on.Think Don was the beginning of the end,just viewed him as a cash cow.Made him plenty money mind you but he didn't have the guidance he had in the early stage of his career.

top class so far. this could be excellant

The Scheemaecker grit is the best there is imo Give them charcoal and shells as well as the usual pickstones etc.

Got 20 in the nest just now in the stock end.They're all within 3 days of each other and are coming along nicely.A few fancy coloured yins this year There was a pair of eggs didn't hatch One of my favourite cocks as well *shakes head*.Hes a bit of a mare when it comes to sitting his turn and its not been the warmest.Given him and his hen something to feed though and hes calmed down a bit.Will see how hes goin come the next pair of eggs,may have to float them. As for the racers-the first of the eggs from my yearlings I've picked to breed from are due to hatch this weekend,some weather for it. The 2 year olds laid on the 5th and the 6th so they've still a bit to go.

Good stuff George

Mr Pigeonbasics happy birthday

Wisnae all anti Arsenal.Barca had a strong shout for a first half penalty. They were deserving winners. as much as I like Arsenal they've got the makings of a class outfit but are still a bit off it. As for Van Persie's red and not hearing the whistle.Do you really think he would have had a hack at it with his weaker foot in that ammount of space had he thought the ball was still in play??

Put a pinch of baking soda in yer mix.When the middle bubble bursts its time to flip it.

thats what she said Nah the cock was funny to watch,even after the hen had laid the first egg he kept coming with stalks and would sit them on top of her Yip can see how that could happen,will keep an eye on it

aye they could maybe give the hut a paint while they're at it

Use that photobucket site It took me a while to get a photo up the first time I tried but used that photo bucket and it seemed to work

A nest a pair of my favourite yearlings have been wokring on http://s1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa430/LewisMcCalley/?action=view&current=DSC00309.jpg

I meant it could be some folks doing a bit of "training" to get the skies a bit clearer before actual training kicks off

Surely too early to be tossing your race team?? could be folk "training"

[Jock and Tam are awaiting their arrivals on a Saturday] Jock:Hard race the day,they're well late.Ye wonder where they get tae sometimes Tam:Aye its certainly nae picnic fur them