Diamond dave

Is the basket still for sale mate? Can you tell me how big it is and how much you want for it? and where are you? D.D.

As a matter of interest, whats the latest people will have young birds in the nest for racing the youngbird season. D.D.

I took my entry accross on Friday (before I had even seen the BHW). They accepted my entry with nothing said about a license????? If they have not needed a license in previous years why should they need one this year? Its a fantastic set up and very well organised with the birds going through a strict quarantine regime in batches. I particularly like the way they are kept in vast aviaries during the 30 days of quarantine so the birds have the ability to obtain thier bearings. However, from a sentimental point of view, I couldnt help thinking that my 3 little pets will lose all of thier identity with so many birds in the lofts. But I,m not really worried cos they,ll they get it back when they win the final race!!!!!! D.D.

i have heard that a slightly damp eye (not necessarily watery) is a sympton that the bird is not 100%. Again, not necessarily ill but not in tip top condition to put it in the basket - anyone else know anything about this? D.D.

This is Defra - what about the French - is it clear that they will accept our birds?

A doctor can tell an awful lot about your health from your tongue. I remember it was the first thing they asked you whenever you went to the doctors - "stick out your tongue" - So why not pigeons? this theory might not tell you WHAT is wrong but I'm sure it could tell IF anything was wrong. D.D.

hi Mahon, Are your birds flying out or are they prisoner stock. I suspect they are prisoners and if so what happens is every time the cock bird tries to tread the hen the other birds will knock him off (survival of the fittest) and I strongly suspect that the eggs havent been properly fertilised. You need to make sure that the cock can run with the hen without being disturbed by the other birds on as many occasions as possible. Better luck with your next round mate. If you do as steve suggests you may just still get some younguns that you could get racing. D.D.

Hi Tammy i'm not near any of the race points but I am smack in the middle of the country near Milton Keynes if you need a line of flight report for your longer races - trouble is, depending on wind they are usually up the West or up the East. -Only too pleased to help if you wish.

Hi all, just wondered if anyone looks at the temperature before taking their birds training. We have had a couple of nice days this week but someone said to me they will wait for it to get a bit warmer before they start? D.D.

Have a look on e.bay first Paul - loads of books on there all the time - might save yerself a few bob. D.D.

Thank you all for your replies - I will let you know of any developments D.D.

Thats what we all thought Fifer, but one our members reckons that the ruling is that the birds must be vaccinated in the year that they are going to fly thus if you vacinate your birds -say in December 06 you will have to do it again in January '07. Does this make sense???? D.D.

I'm up for some of that but dont want to be involved in the breeding if that would be o.k. D.D.

Following a recent club meeting we have been told that the fed is demanding a current vacination certificate for all our birds. Some members are suggesting that we will have to vaccinate our birds twice in 12 months because the ruling is such that the birds must be vaccinated in the year that they race. Most of the members vaccinated at the start of young birds '06 so thats why twice. I guess this has come about from the AI threat but it seems extreme and I am not sure this request would be legal - anyone got any thoughts or been asked to do the same? Diamond Dave.

Any one have any theories on dirty eggs? Just had one nest out of five with dirty eggs that didnt hatch. Is it the quality of the parents -The hen is a late bred and the cock is an old timer - 9years old. Would it have made any difference if I had cleaned the eggs when they got dirty? The eggs appeared to have developed to about 75%. Diamond Dave.

Roland, I could agree with what you are saying if the cause of the problem was through wild birds or the like. It is not. What is being suggested is that someone has allowed infected carcases into this country from somewhere that is already infected. Defras so called vigilance is to be found wanting and to quote Invincible again some "idiot" has let this in through the back door. Now to my mind that would be nothing less than negligent. Mr Matthews very kindly "volounteered" to stop the movement of all such cargo to the UK. - HOW THE HELL WAS HE ALLOWED TO BRING IT INTO THIS COUNTRY IN THE FIRST PLACE FROM AN INFECTED AREA? Nothing personal Roland - just healthy debate. D.D.

Craig, Two of the vets dealing with the slaughter of the turkeys developed respiratory problems - Both were tested negative for the H5N1 virus. - Probably just had a cold but saw the opportunity to make a revelation out of it. D.D

Roland, With the greatest respect mate I have to disagree with what you are saying. Defra may well be specialists in their field but if it is proven that it has entered the country in the manner that has been suggested - you cant exactly call them strategists can you?. If (god forbid) this disease did start to affect humans and a pandemic did result from this foul up what will you say -dont blame defra they're good at what they do- they just forgot to cover the back door. I think "idiots" is a good choice of word to which I could add several more expletives to. And as for Mr. Matthews - the buck has to stop somewhere. The only thing that he can do to redeem himself now is buy all of us pigeon fanciers a new loft each !!!!!!BOOOOOOOTIFUL D.D.

Mick - that is a very good point that you have made. PigeonScout -Also note that the report suggests that wild birds were picking over the carcases in the yard - dont hold yer breath mate

"volunteered to cease any movements to and from Hungary". How noble of Mr. Matthews !!!!!!!! If he is responsible for this mess, can,t we all sue the bar steward? I'm sorry but this all too much of a coincidence. Whats more annoying is they are still pointing the finger at the humble "wild bird". - does anyone know if there has been any migration of wild birds into this country yet? Again, if he is responsible he should be made to cover all the vet bills and Defra costs. D.D.

Phantom flyer definately does dogs and most livestock or he certainly used to. D.D.

Bruno, As I said -"Its a helluva coincidence" and I am sure that Defra will be investigating but that said, if there is a connection how do you think it might have happened? D.D.

Its not intended to be a witch hunt - I got the information from a conversation on radio 5 earlier this morning - You have to admit it's a helluv a coincidence????????? D.D.

Does this mean he can officially call his lofts "The White House" D.D.

Paul, I for one would keep the best of my young birds in the hope that even if racing is stopped we may get some training in later in the year. If you recall last year we were able to do this as long as you didnt train with any other birds i.e. not a "gathering". D.D.