Leroy

Thanks Andy

someone has found this bird on another group I know. If it's yours pm me your number and I'll pass it on to the finder. Regards Lee

Good enough. Took 8 myself 19 miles. 5 back same time as me, others not long after, except one late bred hen, still waiting for. I thought she was going to be my best bird. We'll see in the morning. All the best for the season Shasha Lee

John I've sent you a new pm Lee

What's the problem with Kelso mate? Lee

I have an 11 year old Mal. At my last house, went out and fed the birds, forgot to bolt the door, wind blew it open during the day while I was at work, came back to absolute carnage. He even greeted me at the back door with a dead bird in his mouth, wagging his tail. He was left in no doubt that the birds are off limits. But here's the thing, Malamutes are such a natural and dominant breed that the instinct to kill will ALWAYS be there, it can't be bred out or knocked out of them. Mine knows when I'm there not to even acknowledge the birds, but I've watched him through the window when the birds are out, and he very slyly and subtly gets himself closer and closer to them, and I have no doubt he would kill what he could catch in a heartbeat if I didn't let him know I'd seen him! They are the best breed of dog I know, and I've been involved with the breed for almost 20 years, but they won't be treated like a Labrador or spaniel. You must always be one step ahead, and predict what they are going to do. Lee

Only just started exercising them around the loft last weekend. First race is 11th April. Feels like there's plenty of time, but it'll soon be here! Lee

At breeding mine go mental for black minerals and red grit/pick pots. Also noticed that if they don't have ready access to health grit for a while at any time of the year, when I do put it in they go mad. In conclusion they have access to all three all year round. I'm not a pigeon, only they know what they need and when so they have it all the time. Let me demonstrate with a story, I'm fairly inexperienced at pigeon racing, but the 2013 young bird season I had a dozen young birds away for a race. I have ets but always try to be there to whistle them in and when they do they trap, grab some food, grab a drink then generally have a sit down for a bit to think about what they've just been through. The old birds are different of course. Anyway, this one race, a young bird, silver hen trapped and went straight to the pick pot. Did nothing but fill up on red grit. I though it a bit strange. Over the next week all the young birds went down with young bird sickness, all except the silver hen. I believe she self medicated, intentionally or otherwise. Anyway the moral of the story for me was, as much as we might think we know what they need and when, the birds know better than we do, so why limit what they have access to. Lee

The above answers are correct they are pigeon flutes/whistles. I keep Chinese Nasal Tuft Tumbler pigeons which I believe were one of the breeds that originally flew with flutes. You can google them and see videos of them in use, the noise is haunting! Lee

Same here. Had the birds out, getting them back in with a pair on the loft roof, sparrow hawk straight at them. Hen scattered, cock took off with hawk in pursuit and took him down two gardens away. Legged it round and jumped onto the fence the sparrow hawk took off. The cock was on his back and stayed like that for a minute in shock, then stood up and flew home. Checked him over in the loft and had a tiny amount of blood on my hand but couldn't for the life of me find an injury. Lost a couple of feathers that's all. The unusual thing is that this attack came from nowhere. No clues it was happening. The SH hadn't been circling first, the garden birds were still singing and hadn't seen it, if I hadn't literally been stood watching the loft chatting to the wife I'd've lost the cock. Lesson learnt for me. Lee

Never be embarrassed to ask, we all have to learn somehow. I find it easier to ask the 'daft' questions on here rather than down at the club! There are a number of ways to sex pigeons, BUT the only foolproof way is to get fertilised eggs from two birds kept in isolation! I've kept pigeons, racers and fancies for 20 years and even now the odd one fools me. More so with the fancies than the racers. It comes with experience and watching their behaviours, you soon get to recognise cockish and henish behaviour, but don't be embarrassed about getting it wrong. Best of luck. And welcome! Lee

Thanks for that Lyndsay. I haven't bought BHW for months. Good to see it again. The adverts make me want to spend spend spend! Lee

I think there's two issues. The first is bloom from the feathers which can harm the lungs. As long as the child only has minimal contact then this shouldn't be a problem. The second is dirt and the droppings. Short of eating handfuls of excrement the BEST thing a child can do is get dirty and make contact with germs and bacteria. In modern life there are more allergies and skin conditions as a results of being kept too clean than ever before. As with everything in life...moderation and common sense are the key to success. Congrats on the baby and house move. Your mrs is more likely to take this advice from your GP rather than other pigeon men, so maybe ask the GP when the baby goes for her jabs or routine check up. All the best Lee

Welcome guys Lee

It was a pleasure to meet you both yesterday, albeit all too briefly. Would've like to stop longer and talk pigeons but as you know time was of the essence! Thanks for helping make it all a smoothly run transaction. Delboy's race birds are in beautiful condition, and the nest boxes from Muttley are absolutely perfect. Thanks again guys and All the best for Christmas and the new year. Lee

Great offer, great birds, great fancier, true gentleman. Whoever buys them won't be disappointed. Lee

Hi guys, I hope it's ok to post this on here, no objections if admin remove it. I am selling some Petron up and over deluxe boxes on ebay, and while I know most of you guys are north of the border, if anyone on here wants them or bids for them successfully, I am prepared to share the cost of fuel for collection if you'd be willing and able to bring me some widowhood boxes down at the same time. My intention is to buy some boxes from Muttley if he still has them, to replace the ones that are going. I'm in east lancashire. Hope this doesn't sound cheeky or rude, just thought it might be mutually beneficial to all concerned. Thanks Lee

I've used it for 3 years now as my loft is in a damp location. The smell does disappear quickly but my loft is a whole lot better using it than not. It goes on the floor, box perches and nest boxes. Can't compare it to other similar products as this is th only one ive used Lee

I had the same problem, but thought heaters raising the temperature would make the birds less hardy. I've had some success with the damp by opening the loft right up to increase air circulation, and by using loft whitener on the floor, perches and boxes regularly. I suppose doing what I've done AND adding the heaters would sort it right out....I'd thought of tube heaters under the floor... Lee

Message White Logan on here, he's selling a load of rollers due to hawk problems. He's down the m65 about 30 miles away. Lee

Me. But it'll be a flying visit. Doing a bit of shopping, maybe look at what fancies are for sale, then home. Lee

Sorry for your loss Peter. Don't let the 'what ifs' ruin your 15 years of memories. They just don't live long enough do they. Lee

Haha sounds like you've got your hands full! I'll message you mate, I've got a few options you might be interested in... Lee

Billy, how old's the grandson? And whereabouts are you? Lee

Hi Emily, I'm in Burnley. If you need me to collect the bird let me know. I'll do what I can to get it home or keep it safe. 07725433572 Lee