Diamond dave

Hi A. Hudson - where are you from?

333 to me. ( Good guess eh. - 5 miles out) What weather station do you look at mate?

At least it looks like being a bit cooler on Saturday.

I'm sending 5 cocks Tony - All experienced birds - went to Bergerac last year. If I can get on line quick enough I can let you know what time they are in to here. I reckon you will be doing another 100 miles on us. DD

Can I ask if anyone thinks it is possible for hens to "hold on" to eggs. The reason for asking is I have just re paired my widowhood cocks to get them "driving" for the last race. They have not seen their hens for some five to six weeks. They have been paired back for just 4 days and already 2 of them have laid. I was working on 6-8 days before they laid and was going to basket them on the 5th day for Tours. Is it still worth sending the cocks or have I ruined my chances? -Grateful for any response DD

That is the same method I use Kev. - I dont even let mine out in the mornings until they have been trained up to ten miles in the later evening. Glad to hear youve got some back mate . These ones will be all the better for their experience but the clever ones are the ones that came back last night - cos they've done it on thier own.

Forgot to say that this is probably more a condition if the birds have not been basket trained.

Hi Sean, Have you only been training them for 3 days, or have you been training sometime. If you have only been training them for the last three days. they will still be very nervous when you basket them, put them in the car etc. etc. which may contribute to them panting on return

Jason, Whilst I have to agree with everyone elses posts, I would just like to add that if you are training them in the east winds that we have had of late - you will knock the stuffing out of the birds!!!!!!

Incidently Pompey Mick. I also use that weather site and think it is one of the best. - I think it is designed for use by pilots. It's particularly good on the day of the race.

Red Cheq, dont take your birds training in an East wind - I wont even take my old birds in an East wind. It is debilitating for the pigeons - if you look around, you dont see many wild birds flying either. Cold or hot - they will have a hard time in it and they are bettrer off in the loft. Sure, they have to race in an East wind and they will but it will take more out of them than a nose-ender. Good luck with your training. DD

We also at Alencon with the mnfc. We are flying only 270 miles - if anyone wants to pm, I'll let you know what velocity they are doing to here. I think it will be a tricky race with East in the wind and searing temperatures - not sure if you'll get many day birds up there - what do you think? Good luck to all DD

MNFC also at Alencon. ToJimmy and any other SNFC fancier. - I'm bang in the middle of your route just south of Northampton. - I've sent 6 to Alencon and if anyone wants to pm me - I'll let you know what velocity they are doing to here - I dont expect them to very quick with an East wind forecast and searing temperatures, I got a feeling there wont be many day birds into Scotland - what do you reckon?

Just wondered if anyone can advise me if it is possible to hold up the moult in young birds not on darkness by letting them sit eggs - I believe this works with old birds so why not youngsters?

Jeez Don - do race the birds in those temps?

I would like to congratulate the MNFC on there fantastic text message service. I know there has been a few gripes on this forum about the service but I thought this weekend was exceptional. We even had a text message the night before to tell us to prepare for an early morning lib. Well done to the organisers!!!!

Yep, got all my experienced birds but dropped a couple of yearlings (am only left with one yearling now) - Can only blame myself cos I new it was gonna be a tricky East wind. - Hindsight...... a wonderful thing. I'm sure the doostalker is right about the losses but I wonder what percentage will be yearlings????

I've had it a couple of times - just thought that the site was overloaded!!!!?

ALF JONES (THE OLD WARHORSE) FLYING IN THE HARROWDEN fed - ANY ONE KNOW HIM?

MNFC at Lulworth Cove

Thank you all for your interesting comments - most helpful. Its nice to know that others birds are the same. I usually feel a little deflated when they only fly for 20 odd minutes during the week because Im sure Ill be down the list on Saturday but if you all experience the same, then I shall just have to wait for the form fairy to come and land in my loft. D.D.

I'm taking Jack Barkels advice - my younguns have just started to throw their first flight and have been ranging well - so I will start within the next week or so. - Fingers crossed for every one - the first four or five chucks is the most anxious time for me, even worse than waiting for the birds on Saturdays.

Just wondered if anyone out there flags their birds around the loft. Tonight, my birds flew for just about 30 minutes when every one elses on this forum seem to be flying for an hour. My birds are widowhood cocks and are clapping and gliding o.k. but no real prolonged flying. - Should I flag them or not?

South Northants - completely overcast - West wind about 10 -12mph

Lordy Lordy, Welcome aboard mate -Quality over quantity every time.