Fly_caster

Best of luck - the patience bit is boll*** ;-) If you start your own family and breed and test towards the target, there will be plenty of hurdles to negotiate along the way which will keep you at the edge of your seat LOL ATB, Steve

Could be as simple as a blocked duct. Looks like it needs an anti-biotic at this stage, other wise I would have said something like Nasaline or other decongestant. I once had a bird, not at this late stage, with something similar - commonly referred to as "Fat Eye" - google that - it might give you some insight. ATB, Steve

ATB Andy, Hope you are all better soon. Steve

Very nice indeed, wouldn't mind a hen section full of them ;-) Steve

Hi Pat, Nope, not yet, although I have plans for many birds off him to fly into here I have a 2yr old son off him here too along with two other directs (both 10yrs old too) and a further 10 from the same family - all arrived in October, most have just laid or have had their first round floated in the past week. Really looking forward to seeing what we can do with them, but in "type" terms, they are the dogs ! I'll keep you up to date, but will know nothing until after the first 3 races early next year. Cheers, Steve

Hiya, This fella here is as close as anything to a Barker you are likely to see or handle - he is a direct Alan Bullen bird, 10 years old now. Bullens stock all came from Dick Baldwin and Reuben Eastham, the base of these can be reliably traced back to the early 1900's. You can argue that, of course, there is nothing such as a "pure" family, but progress will show that there are always judicious crosses into families as they start to degenerate over long periods of time. The base of this family originally come from Jimmy Nolan and Ruben Eastham Barkers which go back to the 1900’s. These were complimented by additions from Tom Blackstone and Reuben Eastham (Directly) in 1954. (The notable birds from that family were “Chimney Jack†and grandchildren of Eastham’s “Dol hen†and “Wild Blueâ€). In 1979, the further addition of birds from Ronnie Wilson, also Reuben Eastham Barkers, was made. This included what was to become the Great Grandfather of the Bullen loft for many years, a Blue Pied son of Eastham’s 2nd Section, 98th Open Pau of the mid 70’s. These were the only pigeons brought into the family ever ! Hope this is of interest, Steve

Very nice ! Well Done - Steve

Oh No ! Where's Wales gone LOL Steve

Interesting reading here from some posters. The Barkers, via Dick Baldwin, Kenny Hogg & others (Croston Barkers) are one of the most sucessful families flying the tough France to Derry route in the NW of Ireland. (500 miles). I also know of a double Niort winner and a single Niort winner from a kit of 6 YB's given as gifts in 2009, that's 3 separate Niort winners into the NW of England within 4 years from the same kit of 6 birds. So talk about Old Strain being not worth the effort is just opinion (and unqualified at that). Barkers are known for their ability to last on tough days, great orientation skills and their longevity - amongst many other traits. I've had much more success into a difficult location with these birds than "softer" continental types such as Jan Aardens, Florizoones Etc. Hope this helps, ATB, Steve

Great article - thanks for posting. I have a cock here who is a Great Grandson of Lyrona Freckles. One of the few which produced a bird to fly Talbenny for me last year. Hoping to get that bird out to the French coast later this year - 525 miles into NW Donegal. Steve

Welcome, get involved and enjoy ! Steve

To all of you avid readers out there, right at the bottom of the article.............. Like all articles, people will pick and choose the bits that interest them and which can be incorporated into their current management regime. The rest they will dispense with. Cheers, S.

Very nice indeed - well done ! Steve

Relax ! Nobody accusing anyone of anything here at all ! Just a post with the same humour as above No offence intended at all, far from it in fact, I enjoyed the banter - as I hoped you would. I've PM's Jimmy and told him that I have retracted my bid. As I said earlier, enjoy the birds, I hope that you have great success with them. Steve

Just to accommodate your late bid ? LOL Seriously, I'm not into the hassle, and am happy to let you have them without quibble. I hope that they do you a great turn and that they bring you many cards. Cheers, Steve

If So, Jimmy would have said best offer by 21.01, simples Oh ! back ! Steve

Yes, best offer by (before) not "at" 2100 ! Cheers, Steve

On a point of clarification here lads - wouldn't bids showing at 21.00 be past the deadline of 21.00 ? To my reckoning, bids before 20.59.59 are within the time-frame shown in the first post. Thanks, Steve

Sweet

£55 please ! Thx, Steve

.

Hi, I'm going to start these off at £40.00 for the pair. Thanks, Steve

LOL - It's been a long day Bill ! Cheers, Steve

Hiya, Cracking pair of birds. Prior to making a bid,have they bred anything of note ? Thanks, Steve

Super articles tyvm - more of these would be appreciated - if possible. Cheers, Steve