Leroy

well done tariq, keep us updated! Lee

try to make sure there isnt an obstruction stuck under the ring - had this once but didnt notice it in time, had to cut the ring off, swelling went down within 48hrs

Hi mate, i keep a dozen whites and a stray blue cock. no intention of racing just keep em for the sheer pleasure of keeping free flying birds! Lee

white stock hen escaped behind my back on Monday last week. Ring not transferred to me but telephone number ring on other leg white ring yellow sticker. Lee

Peggy Sue, until you indicate to the finder that he can keep the bird or until you transfer it to him, the bird remains your property, no matter how many times it returns to his loft. If he knows you own the bird and he knows you want it back, then goes ahead and keeps it for himself, he is committing theft. Collect the bird, settle it, and if it returns to his loft, ask him. If he admits it, collect it again. If he denies it - and you suspect he is lying - report him to the police, just make sure you can prove it's your bird. Theft is "dishonest appropriation of property belonging to another with an intention to permanently deprive the owner of it". As long as you can prove the bird is yours, and he denies having it, when infact he has it, the offence is committed. PM me if you need to Lee

well done David, cracking squab, looks a good few days old!!!

well done for going to the trouble of helping this lost bird. Hopefully someone more experienced will be along soon to help you with the info you need about the owner. Come on guys... Lee

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small world - i live in preston! I took this one to burnley to release it. After the above advice I might do the same again see if he decides to go this time

Dovescot - the bird was wing-stamped with a landline telephone number - said that in my first post :-/

dont know him and didnt ask his name but i assume his details will be on the transfer form???! He seems like a decent fella from speaking to him over the phone. I presume the cost of recovering one bird from such a distance, a bird that doesnt want to go home seems a bit pointless. I would want one of mine back but not everyone's the same.

Thanks Phil, but Im not sure that would work, I dont think it strayed recently as the race rubber looks very weathered and the guy didnt seem to remember losing a blue cock. Ive nothing to lose by doing it again though i suppose, and if he does come back again maybe he has earned a place here with the whites! Lee

i agree, and if it wasn't for the feeling this bird might meet an untimely end if returned to him I would've insisted. But instead I'd rather someone gave him a permanent home where he 'could' breed a winner. He's a nice bird, eats from the hand, very steady, just treated very much like an outsider by my birds!

last sunday a blue cock came into my loft with the whites and it had a race rubber on and was starving hungry. It was a 2007 bird, wing stamped, I contacted the owner from Derbyshire - I live in Lancashire - and he asked me to liberate it the following day. I looked on a map and realised that it would be closer to the home loft if I released it from where I work 30 miles from my house. I liberated it about 10am Monday morning - it was back at 8am Tues, came straight back in for a feed. I was impressed! but I am a non-racer Rang the guy tonight, he doesn't want the bird back and said he would transfer it to me. Is it likely any new starter would want this bird to start off with??? It is a sootjens 2007 cock - I doubt it has won anything but could be from good stock. Is it worth me trying to find it a permanent home where it might be some good to someone??? Lee

I can recommend these birds, i have had 4 YBs from pecked hen this year, settled very well and flying out everyday for approx 3 weeks now. Leroy

sad to hear, hopefully fond memories, but im sure he lives on in his youngsters??? Lee

if it helps, i live in preston and work in burnley so could collect the bird and deliver it on route if required???

ive heard that if the lights are activated at night the birds could fly down to drink, and if the lights go out before they fly up the birds cant get back to nests and youngsters or eggs could get chilled.

Woohoo!!! my youngsters are in their new home! Thanks Sue, it was great to meet you, and these birds are settling in for the night, cheers Lee

WOO HOO!!!!

when are they ready when when when when??????? ive not been this eager for years!!! they look great sue Lee

im not a racer but that sounds like a good idea. I personally commute 30 miles a day from central lancashire to east lancashire and would have no problems collecting or delivering on route, or being part of a larger relay

the first birds i ever bought for a dovecote were barbary doves - upon release never saw them again!

And in relation to the original topic, have decided to partition off the existing loft, the current birds have way too much room! Any views still appreciated though...

us fellas always end up paying - one way or another!!!