Leroy

me, but it was an accident, the mouse slipped....

PM sent

hi grizzler - sending you a PM in a minute

That has got me thinking! I know Darwin experimented with breeding different fancy breeds together to see how many generations it took to revert back to a wild type, and it was something like 8 generations, but until your post I had not thought about that in relation to racing ability. That does make alot of sense. BUT surely we dont know how much racing ability a wild rock dove has, and whether countless domestic generations have moved us away from the racing ability which we now seek, so the more we inbreed the further away we get from the ability - could explain how more and more birds get lost each year...just a thought...

cameras no problem mate thanks. As for the prices and set up I was very impressed I must admit, but being a new starter I dont have a lot to compare it to. All I can say is that Gary is man who sounds like he knows his stuff, talks alot of sense and was very patient with me and my questions.

went to see Gary Spavin today as he was the nearest to me so I could visit him with the birds which made it quicker to find out if there was anything wrong. Whilst the diagnosis isn't good for the sick YB, Gary has put my mind at ease as far as the others are all concerned so far. droppings have been left overnight. will update once I have spoken to him. thanks for the recommendations Lee

thanks for the replies guys and gals, have a couple of choices, will let you know how it all goes, if i dont lose the bird in the meantime!

can anyone recommend who to contact to have droppings tested and how long it normally takes to get a result please??? I am in the north west if that makes a difference Lee

think he means that under a microscope - magnification of x400 - the disease looks like small white rod like cells...

any ideas what could be wrong with one of the YBs ive recently acquired please. It is sitting fluffed up, watery droppings and will only pick at food. It's been like that for 2 days. No outward signs of illness ecept what I've already put. No vomiting, no slimey green droppings, no neck stretching or head stretching or yawning at all, just sitting fluffed up unless I go in and move it about. I thought it wasn't eating enough so last night I force fed it some corn and it is still hanging on. I have 5 others from the same place and they are all perfect. Any ideas on what it could be or what I could give it as a pick-me-up please??? Lee

I can recommend these YB's and Jimmy to anyone interested. I had 6 YB's off Jimmy this year that are my stock birds for next year. Very steady birds, that i am only going to risk flying out once i have a good set of youngsters off them all! Lee p.s. Jimmy, it turns out mine are 3 pairs so I wont need anymore....for now!

Im gutted for you mate. hopefully some if not all will work back or be reported, but if not, what can you do differently next year? and dont say not breed any!

I don't really know what to say Roland because I haven't started to race mine yet, but I have had pigeons for about 15 years and things like this happen. We couldn't give them up if we wanted to mate, you know that, no matter how dissappointed you feel right now. It's fellas like you with your experience that keep new lads like me interested and help us along, so don't go quitting yet because I get the feeling I'm gonna need you next season! Things can only get better... Lee

im in a similar position and have seen some basic lofts on R V Woodcrafts website, but i dont yet have one so cant recommend them as such! Lee

has anybody bought a loft from here or does anyone have any opinions on them please. Looking at the 8x6 loft. Cheers

thanx mate, will do, just wanted to make sure it wasnt hopeless, and i wasnt throwing my money away Lee

thanks John, Im sure it wont be a problem once the youngsters are homed but Im just concerned that whilst they're still inexperienced they'll go off with the wild ones

I know guys, all good suggestions, thanks relocation doesnt seem fair though, and there are so many it would take forever! I may have just answered my own question though, just been out, it's still light and the ferals are away to roost, so might get round it by letting YBs out just before dark, will have to time it just right though. On second thoughts, yeah, trap and relocate a few at a time... thanks guys

Need a bit of advice please peeps, we moved house about 8 weeks ago so i keep my stock birds in, but have just bought 6 latebreds. The problem is that since we moved in I've noticed that next door feed wild birds, and at different times during the day there are anywhere up to 30 feral pigeons sat on next door's roof. We live on a newish estate in a very rural area and they are definitely ferals not someone elses birds. Are there any precautions I can take when letting the YB's out for the first time, without upsetting the neighbours or scaring the YB's??? Is this destined for failure??? Lee

yes mate but it's ok, it is with a heavy heart that I found the little fella dead this morning. He was in a bad way when I picked him up. thanks anyway. will PM 67ghirl

good man good idea! Im living in burnley now mate, but parents still live in fulwood, so i could leave it there on saturday when i go round.

well done?? not at all, I've only done what I hope most other fanciers would do! As the crow flies this house was only about 300 yards from my house - it couldn't have been more convenient!!! at least 67ghirl cares about her YB's not like the other idiot I collected one for the other week, he couldnt care less about his, asked me to feed her up and lib her about 200 miles from home > > >

sorted. I have the bird in isolation now, it is very flown out, very thin and has some blood on it, but cant see an injury anywhere. Will feed it up, let us know what you want to do when the bird is ready! Lee

damn it, that wouldve been funny - just been a long day!!! ;D

no probs