travis

My lofts are all in one, 3 sections, YBs are directly next door to OB cocks & they are fine? Hedges & trees are near, but nearer to the OBs? If i go down the dipping route what product would you recommend?

Thanks for the replys, all input helps!

Hi All Can anyone help or offer advice please? I had noticed a few of my YBs were stamping their feet and preening fairly franticly, as if they were irritated i would say? I could not see any lice etc when I checked them over. I decided to treat with Moxedectine, believing this would deal with any internal / external parasite, and did this 10 days ago. I would say 4 /5 of them are still stamping their feet and seeming irritated, they are especially preening around the rump area about the base of the tail. They are on darkness and are in the body moult. They seem fine apart from this and have a healthy appetite and droppings are all good. I hate seeing them obviously being bothered by this, I have not dipped them? Any advice would be great, many thanks

That lib site, this race or any other race, is a bloody disgrace, a time saving decision only? Surely not in the interest of any pigeons!!!

PM'd ya mate

I got an Ecco loft last year. If I could choose again I think I would explore Parkhall or Tranter. Ecco are lovely looking lofts but after a while you look a little closer shall we say! Ive made several alterations internally and Im not a fan of the ply partitions, they feel cheap. Wooden bays are great for the birds but consider your trapping system, they are not ideally designed for ETS? JMO

Good luck with your 1st race GEO

Jai should win on his semi final song alone, but i think Ronan will win

I love these & they look great, remind me of my birds years ago. Quality John, all the best with them

Good luck with whatever way you decide to go, but I think you can't compare this year to your results last year. YB & OB racing are two worlds apart. It sounds like you are now racing an OB team of mainly yearlings, thats a hard task by anyones standards. Its hard work getting a system going for your OBs that suits you and the birds. Dont beat yourself up, it will come good im sure.

he is a *expletive removed*, a very rich, brat, *expletive removed* should have read twit

If they start to nest somewhere else i doubt they would go back to 1st nest, (might go back for 3rd nest?) Ive known some pairs to leave the 1st nest site and move to a new site when the 1st YBs are weaned away, often a pair will have 1st nest in a nest box and then move to a corner on the floor. It depends on your loft and space that you have, when you've a full OB loft the 2nd nest bowl in the box may suit better

Geo, the parents will just be looking for a site for their next nest, they will still return to the original box to look after the YBs. Depending on the size of your nest boxes some people put two nest bowls in the original box or nest bowl stands so one is on a shelf over the other. Do you put a pot of food in the nest box? It encourages the YBs to peck watching the OBs, ATB

Geo, your babes look great mate. I always read through your posts, always full of positive, its great. For your first nests of YBs they look a credit to ya, good luck with them, all the best 2011.

Hi, just my opinion I like to have babies on maple peas for a few weeks after weaning, then blend them in with a mix then move onto the mix. (VL Junior O for me, upto race prep). OBs a good mix probably by now, could get a bag of depurative to 'water' it down a bit, always a handy mix to have throughout season aswell. Hope this helps

I like to race them every week if fit and able, I think YBs thrive on routine & week on / week off throws them off? The biggest problem is knowing when to stop them, if you are full into the racing it takes a strong man to leave them at home rather than take them off down the club? If in doubt, leave em out!

If they have been out for a couple of weeks they might be ok. I was always told to get YBs flying well p.m. before letting them out AT ALL a.m. Think about it from their mind, its morning, they have all day to explore (& maybe get out of their depth?). P.m, the dusk is likely to see them have a more steady approach? Hope you see them all later, back for their tea i reckon, let us know.

Not time to worry yet, how many times have they been out?

Couple of months ago placed a nice size order, they accepted it and took my money by debit card. 2 weeks later heard nothing so i chased them, 'oh sorry half of your order is out of stock'! Well how the hell do you accept my order! Many phone calls later i get a refund. They are an established name which is why many go to them, but they do not return your favour. They dont deserve to be supported. Zero customer service. I will never order from them again.

Nah Geo, you need to get all your birds in a annual routine (yours obviously) Take a breath and get them all on an even keel, good luck fella

Hi, ive raced both, partners & single. Big Question, can you be there, with no hassle to you, on race day? Early/late lib? 2nd day birds? Are you welcome in that garden for the late arrival? Thats THE DAY ITS ALL ABOUT! If not dont do it. You will have the looking after to do at home etc. Partnerships are great for training etc, i took them training but they were cleaned when I got back! Thats the +s. The -s, they will always feel that they 'belong' to the person where they live/race? It all comes down to race day mate????? Good luck in your decisions.

Id go for Blakes mate. Ive had a loft from them before, I went elsewhere this time & paid nearly double, really not worth the difference in price. They will be at the cheaper end. Good luck with your choices.

Hi Paul Im now starting back in the sport after 7 yrs away. Im really interested as to why your initial question?? Rgds Gareth

Dicie, don't know you mate but well done, i have just read that thread from start to finish & what you have achieved is all a lot of people ever wish for, Well done, sure its well earned, enjoy

Hope you've had a few back mate? From the time of your post I wonder what time you gave your YBs their first toss. I always used to do initial 'education' with YBs late aft/evenin. Whether that be from the loft or on a toss. YBs know when its morning, in other words they know when they have all day to fly and fly............and fly?! Evening they at least know/hope to get back to roost, its nature? Later on i dont believe it matters. Let the kids out to play in the morning and they will play all day, even get out of their depth, let them out teatime and they will be home couple of hours max?! Just my thoughts mate, always used to work for me. Good luck