Blue Chequer

I think the first you will hear about your entries will be when they start the training tosses and you will see how your birds are doing. A few of us formed a syndicate and sent 7 birds last year and some did quite well in the training and Hot-spot races but failed at the final hurdle. Some of our entries hardly featured at all, biting the dust very early. Last year it was hard to imagine that almost two thirds of the entry were lost before the final race. Our only entry to return from the final race was bred by Neil Robinson (Zetland Lad) We have sent 9 this year and are hoping for better things.

I have often single reared racing birds which have had the out turned wings which usually go back to normal. However I have recently had a couple of Pomeranian Pouters single reared with one wing turned outward and very little liklihood of it returning to the normal position. Any suggestions to rectify this and or to stop it happening in the future with any single reared birds.

If the RPRA are aware that this man is running a business in catching strays they should with-hold the owners name and address, I am sure they could quote freedom of information etc. and simply tell him that the owner has been informed. then leave it to the owner to either try and get it back or just ignore the matter. At one time the SHU never informed the finder of the name and address of the owner, you just had to wait until you were contacted. (This was quite a few years ago)

The NEHU are aware that there is someone at Darlington acting as a pest control officer, they are obliged to send the owner notification of where the bird is but they are NOT advising this "bounty hunter" of the name and address of the owner. No one will get a suspension for failing to claim a bird reported by this man. He apparently purports to be employed by Darlington Council.

So they went on to win show prizes??

I believe Neil was on the approved list for Indian Fantails but would not swear to this. Perhaps the word qualified was bit strong but you have to be half decent to get on the list and be accepted by other clubs. He is now involved on the racing side but has a long history with the fancy breeds. I think his observation that you should buy your stock from an established fancier rather than an open market is sound advice for any new fancier.

Thats you put in your place Neil, especially when you are a qualified NPA judge. Obviously you know nowt about Fancy birds? I am surprised you havn't come back on this issue.

I always wing stamp my youngbirds, plus name & tel no. rings which have to come off for racing (NEHU) I had a yearling Hen in here tonight in the North East stamped up with a Blackpool number. I rang the owners and had the usual reply (do you know anyone coming over this way) makes you wonder if they are worth the phone call. I like to inform fanciers where their birds have got too and hope that they want them back.

Unfortunately RPRA rules say that averages are calculated by clocking from every race so this encourages fanciers to send when they would probably be better kept at home. Most of the clubs in the NEHU don't have averages, usually points systems which the members call averages.

I agree, we all start to early. In the 70s the UNC commenced on the middle weekend of April and finished mid Sept. for 23 races. Now we have 25 races and last year had the final race in October.(due to postponements). It's all about making more money and getting the transporters down the road, especially to the short young bird races.

Are partnerships a good thing or bad. In my experience the partnerships that work are those involving family members or between two fanciers of whom one is prepared only to take a minor role in the running of the loft. I see a succesful loft in the E.C. area has taken a new partner who himself is no stranger to the red cards, will this work? I have my doubts, everybody has different ideas and likes to do things as they have done previously, particulary when they have been at the top. If things don't go well they look for a scapegoat. You can't beat being on your own even though it involves a lot of hard work. How many partners draw up an agreement and lodge it with the Union in case of a fall out?

As a non SHU member I was under the impression that ETS was sneaked in through the back door in Scotland with influence from the suppliers. I may have been given the wrong impression? I was convinced that this was the case by the uproar that followed when it was passed. I hope I never see it in England other than for one loft races.

Enjoyed the comp. and collected my prize this week. many thanks, Big Al. or Blue Chequer. I can pick em but can't race em.

I think if you read my posting correctly I acknowledge that you don't sit in the Freaking Boozer, but point out that is what will happen in the U.K. Get off your high horse.

I have stopped using the UpNorthCombine site because of postings on this subject (and others) always someone at each others throats. Call me old fashioned if you want but if Hyacinth in the USA want's to time pigeons whilst she is sat in the boozer let her get on with it, if someone want's to know which bird was last from a trainer let them install this system for training. I don't think I will see it getting accepted by the NEHU but the way racing is going I am headed towards the Fancy Pigeons right now. Sorry Hyacinth you probably watch your birds home but this wouldn't apply to a lot of so called fanciers in the U.K.

Many thanks, I received my prize today for winning the competition in 2005, obviously our Admin were let down by some of his sponsors but nevertheless a good comp. especially when you come out top of the pile. Clearly I have a good eye for picking out the goods, I wish I could have more success with my own. Best wishes to all for the 2006 competition. Blue Cheq.

I think that the suggestion that the "oldies" don't like change is a bit naughty, i have been in pigeons for over 50 years and have been a Club & fed. sec most of that time, I have seen many changes over the years and perhaps the major one was the introduction of calculators, this invention brought about the situation where many Secretaries can't even write their own name never mind add up, gone are the days where the Secretary was the educated one who worked the velocities out longhand. I think that these changes were generally for the good but i agree with Mike that ETS will have more negatives than positives. Lets draw a line under this debate and agree to disagree. Blue Chequer.

Personally I am also against the ETS but lets not degenerate into another war of words, it will make this site as bad as another which shall remain nameless. Lets stick to pigeon racing not pigeon politics.

New from Linell about £285 I think. You should be able to pick-up a second hand one for less than £200 but you should check when they are due for service. Good luck.

Welcome to the site Chris, no connection with the late great Tommy of Brydekirk going back many years? Best regards, Allan S.

Always on the right leg upside down, easy to read for yourself and the handlers when ringing, also easier to put the left leg in the ringer with your right hand. Some members in my club if they are rung on the left leg will put the rubber on the same leg, this can be awkward when it comes to getting the rubber off to time in.

I have used the Bull system but made the mistake of using a hen which had been paired to the Cock previously, this sort of interfered with the business as he was never very interested in the other 3 hens. I don't think the sperm gets any weaker, just watch a Cock Sparrow. One thing that did come to mind recently when I was being given advice about Fancy pigeons was that the Cock only provides the jacket all the good qualities come from the Hen? worth a thought. I have an open mind on this. Blue Chequer.

Just leave them and wait and see, they should have been off by now but I find that my Pomeranians eggs seem to take longer than the racers. They could be dead in the shell, I had this happen quite a lot, many years ago and it was put down to using some bad straw for nesting. Patience is a virtue. Good luck. Blue Cheq.

Don't get the BHW now, what did it say?

Ask someone who is going on holiday to Spain to pop into the local chemists shop and buy some Flagyl for (Thrush) a quarter tablet a couple of days apart and that will sort out the Canker. Baytril is definately a big NO NO for me and I don't think it would have sorted the problem anyway.