Fly_caster

Basically - the "quality" of the Pigeons throat is marked out of 10. The "best" fanciers, I believe, look for a 9 or higher for racers and an 8 or greater for stock birds. (Open to correction guys). The two items that are marked (making up the throat) are the "curtain at the back of the throat which should be correctly aligned, uniform in shape and complete with frills, just as a hanging curtain might be. Above this frill, is a slit, which should agin be perpendicular to the bottom of the frill, straight, unscarred and generally healthy looking. The perfect throat would obviously score a "10". The theory is that of the throat is not good, that the air flow to the lungs and air sacks is disrupted, and therefore the ability of the bird to breathe at a rate which is conducive to top-level flying and racing. Hope this helps. (All open to correction ) Steve

Nice gesture !

My post was in answer to the first poster and thread starter - that is not to say that I'm not absolutely delighted that you have a trade and that you use it ! Cheers, Steve

Respectful suggestion; I get the feeling that carpentry/joinery isn't your forte ? If not, get a local chippie/joiner - he'll turn it our for you just as you want, to a reasonably high standard in a few days. He'll give you a fixed price - and assuming you make no changes during the alteration - then that is what you pay. He'll also be able to advise what is possible and suggest any alternatives. Just my thoughts. Best of luck, Steve

Care to expand on that Mick..............sounds interesting !

The few degrees that a corridor takes up on the angle between the sun and say the back of the loft are rally inconsequential - anyway - a clear front roof or tiles sort that one out for all it is worth.

Best of luck !

You were the exception earlier in the thread Well done to all - nice to see the effort going in !

Hmmmmm - many missing the subtle point I fear

Another "moved on" I guess............good shot by the way !

Why ???? http://blakessheds.co.uk/PigeonLoft.aspx

Take MB's advice - send him a PM - he knows what he's talking about - I had a loft visit with him, and was gob smacked at his knowledge and approach. Hope this helps, Steve

Personally speaking, as a novice, I found it excellent for controlling my birds, particularly when cleaning out, changing water and managing birds of differing age batches. Particularly when I had the equivalent of prisoner stock as I settled youngsters before breaking them to the loft - whilst flying others out at the same time. On good days, but which are too windy to fly them, I put the birds into their compartments but open all the doors across the front of the loft - allowing a great breeze to flow through the loft. On bad days, when the loft needs to be closed up - I allow the birds into the corridor for "a change of scenery" and the challenge of holding a fresh perch. My aviary is accessed from a window in the gable end of the loft which is in the end of the corridor. I can decide what section, all or any, to have access to the aviary at any one time, again, great for orientating and settling youngsters before breaking them. Lastly, I have found the corridor great for observing my birds without being intrusive. They seem to sense when their section door is shut and seem to act normally within their section as opposed to having a weather eye on me was the section open and me in close proximity. Hope this helps, Steve

Excuse the naive question - but is there a case to be made for splitting the racing prizes/credits for young birds into Darkies and Naturals?

Great work there - keep it up - looking forward to seeing the completed product !

Well done Mick - these will be a great addition to someone's loft.

Good luck with that - let us know how you get on please !

Roland, it is impossible to make out exactly what you are saying in the above paragraph. PM me if you wish. Steve

These are super birds - saw them last Monday during my loft visit and they immediately catch the eye, told Mick that he must be mad moving these on but needs must - and he only has so much space. Steve

Funny how things happen - I had decided, with the help of fellow fanciers and mentors, to treat the birds against Canker, Worms and Cocci as a standard procedure. Many, many others do this too. I had managed to give the first two treatments, with a week between each treatment to let the birds get over their dosing before administering anything else...........these birds got sick just before the Cocci treatment. Dropping samples leaving tomorrow. Cheers for the advice and comments. Steve

Sweet Mick - we did believe you.......seriously ! HAd a great loft visit yesterday to Mick's everyone, myself and my son Caolan, great hospitality, chocolate cake, banter and some serious pigeon knowledge passed on ! Many thanks Mick ! Best, Steve

Done - Defo best option - agree that they seem to have gone too far and liable to spread it to the other birds, if not done so already, others still look good. Treating all for Cocci as a starter..............

Que ? Meant that I would bet a pound of mine to a penny of yours that it was a Kestrel.Secondly, I'd rather have a bunch of Kestrels around my loft rather than 1 Sparrowhawk.................nothing silly........chappie ! Good luck with it if it is a Sparrowhawk - they have a habit of "casing the joint" before earnestly hunting down, via ambush, their quarry. Best, Steve

Hi All, This morning those two birds just seem worse - the bird with the watery droppings has now resorted to those of the slimy green variety and the other bird just looks sorrier for itself, no neck extension whatsoever and very little interest in anything other than drinking water. All other birds seem bright, droppings are more than acceptable and they are doing as YB's normally do. Thanks for your interest everybody. Cheers, Steve

Penny to a pound it was a Kestrel ! Wish I had the same problem !!! Cheers, Steve