Merlin

I think Alfs quite right,there is no option it appears for many,and these circumstances can change overnight,lets hope they dont.

What about Tammy and Dovescot as residents "Old Hands" on this site to answer questions for novices etc,they have a good deal of common sense,and apparent knowledge,and the most frustrating to any genuine question is to have an amount of answers availble,especially for those in need quick soloutions.

1/ i would count it from marking night 2/ Have had very good results with a day old youngster with hens especially,in overnight races,as for unused milk it possibily will cause a problem. 3/ Nesting position I find is best for both sexs in 2/3 days overnight races

Why not a concentrated effort,via the media regarding the overpopulation and protection of these predators,what ORDINARY person would donate to R.S.P.B. buy and supply/food/bird tables etc,therby creating a pick up point for sparrowhawks,show evidence of this,in conjunction with other organizations, get our act together, what woman or child could be happy at seeing a garden bird being stripped of its flesh whilst still alive,these raptors are having a detrimental effect on all birds,time to work within the confines of the existing laws,set up a fund,raise cash,film it happening professionaly,there are many private T.V.Channels available,enlighten the public,if something is not done soon,I dread to think what pigeon future holds.

Many thanks for above Jack,and if I might give one bit of advice,especially to newbies,study it,practice it,master it,and consequently help make yourself a more formidable fancier.

Happy St Patricks day to all,Sun is shining here,birds are motoring across the skies,all is well ,I look forward to Jacks input avidly,now again we have Timbarra,it was only a matter of time,looking for his 15 seconds of fame,I am not taking up the cudgel on behalf of Jack,read above,he is much more capable at this then ever I could be,rather for myself and possibily others,Timbarra let us listen and comprehend what Jack is telling us,we log on this thread for this reason,and not for your input,you have a thread,why not stay with it,and others who might wish to do so,surely you are not beyond this comprehension. Keep them coming Jack,there are those of us still capabale of learning.

Realizing one thing in life as I get older,I sleep less.

Many thanks Jason,good idea,all the best to all entrants.

Hope you have them back to morrow,myself I always encourage them to walk out around garden,approx 25-30 day old,then they spend a period of time up and down to loft roof,they seem to develop a better rapport with their immidiate enviroment,before they take off,touch wood I never have too many problems with this method.

I love the pronounced colour of all healthy birds,but would favour the Blues and Light Chegs for their colour

Rembrandt your intuition is amazing,well done,also welcome Ralph nice set up birds look very well,hope you enjoy site,good topics.good info,Enjoy.

B every selective Ben,you dont have to keep an amount,same pleasure/results can be obtained from fewer birds,with less effort required,dont let it become a chore,one point what are you doing with 28 stock birds with thirty two race birds,this seems a very bad ratio, you have one shot at your education,go for it,pigeons will always be around. Enjoy

Cant for the life of me see logic in above,our racing pigeons are really responsible for the explosion of predators on an ongoing basis,its due to our food packages /birds being presented when needed most,their breedind season/racing season,now take away or limit this scource of food, this would have an effect on raptor population,but to produce more to feed more,eventually creates even more problems.

Sportka Racing pigeons are just that,working creatures,and so can only be judged on ability shown in same,whilst breeding for same capabilities,the better the competition,the more prestigous the result,whle show racers will have a recognised standard which to judge by,typical of dog standards regarding working dog/show dog.

My own opinion of a true Champion would be,a bird that has outstanding results over a period of time,in the most prestigous races,regarding competitors and birdage,and at stock is capable/responsible of producing a good percentage of its like or better,on an ongoing basis,for a considerable number of years,this would be what I would term a true Champion,

Well done to all concerned,this is what the Pigeon Sport should be about,making frends,again well done to all concerned.i

Many thanks to you Jack,regarding what you have published so far,personally it reinforces what I practice for many years as regards my birds, and being open minded,I really look forward to any insight you wish to share regarding the birds.

And what about our Eurovision Song entry (Dustin, go on ya good thing,) most other entrants send singes etc,we send a Turkey Puppet,this has the makings of another party,you have just gotta laugh.

For myself if order had not been met at proper time(approx) I would ask for my deposit back,if not forthcoming, then and only then would I take my next step,and in this instance I would detail all correspondence,verbal or otherwise for future refrence,

Jack In your evaluating of eyes have you encounteed what I term "Owl Eyes" these for some reason gives the appearance of the eye balls of protudeing somewhat more than normal eyes,giving the appearance of a somewhat wild look,in my instances mostly it was found in small to medium type hens,I just ask this question in relation to above

Youngsters love company,this could be part of your problem,try have them out together,late evening only till they are very sure of their surrounds,with hardier young these are capable of taking younger just that bit too far in their wanderings,ideally similar ages should be flown together.

In an 8 X 4 loft/shed,if you were to build a whats termed a kit/flying box 8 ft in length and approx 3 ft high,you could with adeqyuate ventilation keep up to- 30 rollers,all on V perches,with breeding/boxs fashioned beneath,but again proper ventilation is paramount

I would definitely go with getting a dog,you have his presence on a 24/7 basis,and his deterrance is his bark,when they hear this,they have no way of knowing who else does.

Jack Would I be correct in saying The Catalyst as split gene linked, is capable of appearing in Gravel and Yellow only at random, there is no way to breed for it to introduce it.

Would agree regarding a good P.R.Firm,but still of the opinion we should clean up from within,with some of the current topical issues/antis/pros, all the Spin Doctoring in the World could not present a good image.