Diamond dave

Sounds good Jas. - hope you are rewarded for your efforts - Good Luck!!!!

Stephen, No worries mate - we all do it differently. I still think that the dry minerals, (black minerals-charcoal,phospates etc) and (pink minerals - lime iron etc) are essential to breeding. Youve only got to put them in front of the birds to know how important they are. However, the use of peas and beans also makes a lot of sense and will go some way to drying up the droppings in the babies, but I believe the crux of Tonys problem is in the parents - or have i misinterpreted the thread?

Oh my god!!!- Cant even imagine how you all feel - I've read about arson attacks but your pictures really are graphic Ian. Must be devastating. The offer of some youngsters seems somewhat trivial in the light of such an event but if it helps in even the smallest way by letting these poor people know that we are thinking of them, count me in for a couple of pairs!

Stephen Steyert Sorry mate, I disagree. You are probably correct in the reason the birds have got diarrohea but I wouldnt deny my birds the minerals. The reason they may be drinking so much is because they are overdosing on the minerals - possibly because they are not in front of them at all times - when you do give them, they go mad for them. Indeed, I do believe that black minerals will help dry up the diarrohea. Tony, I would suggest that you ensure that mineral trays are never empty and once the birds have caught up with their requirements, I would expect them to ration thereselves. Just my own opinion lads - good luck!!!!

Ray I think we should all take our lead from Defra and the RPRA, let them instruct us as what to do. I'm sure they will come up with a constructive formula that will allow us to train/race even if there are some forms of control and if not, they will tell us whats best for our birds. I agree with Hyacinth, its Joe public who will jump on the band wagon and put a spanner in the works. This is where we need the powers that be (RPRA) to do the the best P.R. job possible, as we stand to lose more from this side of the threat than to the AI itself.

I still think that a vacination programme will be up and coming very quickly and I hope it can be in place by young birds.

Square Peg. I agree mate but when it comes to this country I dont think it will be eradicated for a long time without a vaccination programme - I'm only saying that I think this is the only way racing will be re-instated for this year and who knows, even next!!!!

Does anybody know how long it would take to get a vaccination programme up and running - Im sure Defra could have something in place by young bird racing.

No racing - I think a ban is inevitable despite whats in our hearts - and I think that it will be in place until a suitable vaccination programme can be implemented.

Boxes once a day - sand on the floor raked in every day and sieved once a week

Nice one jimmy The best beans for cooking are uman beans!!! Heating the corn is ok to make a cake for the birds - but use smaller seed food and use it as a treat.

I,d like a widowhood cock to sit quietly in the basket - anyone got any?

Sapper, Sorry mate- You have sent me a message - I've only just found this PM format-Ive now sent you a PM back to try to meet you in the chat room but now I cant get in there!!!! I will try again at 21.15. If not perhaps we can continue the conversation through the PM section. One way or another I hope to catch up with you in a short while!!!!!

Hi Sapper, I too am trying to develop the original Ko nipius lines - I am not familiar with Jeff Woodfield, are his Ardens derived from the Ko nipius birds? How long have you kept them? Would you consider a swap with a couple of young uns from your McDonald cock? or let me know if you have any other deal in mind. You wont be disappointed with this hen she is typical of the strain. I would try to post a picture but I am not good with the computer and havent a clue how to do it. Where abouts in the country are you Sapper?

Hi Sapper, Yes, she is still available - As I say she is a spare hen. I wanted her to go to stock but she was just too young to pair up. I dont have any room to keep her, but I wont cull her!!! She is not that late (bred late July)and I'm sure that shes good for a couple of rounds this year. As I've said, I don't necessarily want "pound notes" for her - but was hoping that some other deal could be done Have you ant ideas mate?

Sbelbin, I sympaphise with ya mate. I'm always trying to keep "her in doors" happy. She's got no interest at all. However, it's easy to get sucked too deeply into this great sport and be blind to everything else. There has to be a balance mate and when I first started I made a pact to myself that people will always be more important than the birds. Good luck with that "dream bird" mate - You might be lucky and find one of both!!!

Mike Thanks for that Mike - I was always advised not to show the hen to the yearling cocks, cos they get too woundup and I have associated this with (maybe) why yearlings are somewhat unreliable. However if giving them the hens for a longer period settles them, then it should make them more reliable. I'd love to know about your experiences with the yearling cocks when you switched to this method?

Why not try the service offered by the phantom flyer - He's brill. I'm not sure if he covers the whole of the country yet but he is a fancier himself, friendly and very helpful. He might not get to you within one or two days but he is reliable and you know the bird is going to be looked after.

Hi Mike its always interesting to compare views. May I ask how long you give them the hens prior to basketing and have you noticed this on short and long distance birds? My approach is to show the hens for the shortest period of time 30sec -2minutes. It is this principle that I have based my notes.

Has anyone noticed that the cock that tries to tread the hen before basketing is never the first bird home?

Nice to meet ya Hyacinth.

Oh and Gary, It's much nicer talkin to you now I know what you look like!!!!!!

Hi Astro How r u doin? Do you have your eye on some pigeons? Can you please explain "Cry me a dogs bone, build me a bowl so I can eat a crazy dog" ????????

Gary, I agree wth the schouwman - The sprinters are all "up front" and shaped like a wedge, with a lot of their muscalature in the shoulders. Distance birds do tend to be longer in the body - Though not always bigger, many distance birds are somewhat smaller by comparison. I'm sure you'll notice the difference when you handle one of each. I also think that a distance pigeon can win a sprint race - particularly on a hard day, and I also think a sprint/middle pigeon can win a distance race if he has the wind up his backside. But then you have the real diiiiiiiiistance birds which are a different "animal" altogether. The difference in these type pigeons is there mentality and unfortunately none of us can actually see that except in the written pedigree. What do you prefer m8 - distance or sprint?

Hi everyone Just thinking of sending to a one loft race - Do you think its better to send cocks or hens?