hepste

By the way, has anyone really properly defined young bird sickness. It's like an 80 year old going to the GP, with a sore ANYTHING, and the GP classifying it as old person's sickness. A lot of treatments for YBS, are merely boosts to the immune system, which fights off any disease. My own view is that it is a form of paratyphoid that has not been properly diagnosed to date, and therefore proper treatment is unavailable. All we can do is ensure that at times of stress, the immune system of the pigeon is properly served by the fancier.

I could be wrong, but I think some of you chaps could be barking up the wrong tree! MY information is that paratyphoid bacteria and e coli like alkaline (lime) conditions which actually favour multiplication, and is something you should avoid at all costs, even to the extent of not using it as a floor dressing. It IS alkaline conditions that bacteria don't like, though you have to be careful not to do too much damage to all the good guys.

PJC is correct. This is a definete sign of paratyphoid/salmonella, and could easily result in the demise of this bird if not treated soon.

If the green fluid has a pungent unpleasant smell, it could be a condition known as sour crop. It can be treated if you wish.

Debbie, I understand that calcium (contained in grit and minerals) negates the positive effects of antibiotics. I understand that dimetridazole is an antibiotic, so you would be correct in having concerns.

Hi Dave, there are ways to reduce the risks, but not eradicate the problem, you'll have to do the same as the rest of us, and live with it. For what it's worth, here are a few ideas; 1. Computer disks hung in the garden 2. Mirrors to reflect hawk's own image - they don't like their own species. 3. Let the birds out at different times, so the hawk is uncertain of prey availability times. It can't hang about all day when it may have hungry chicks to feed. 4. It is said that birds with white rumps offer confusion to an attacking bird of prey, this is a quite predominant colouring in pigeons. 5. Some birds of prey locate targets from a height, then move in from a distance at a lower level. Try not to leave the birds out scratching around for too long or if you do try to stay with them. Hawks are shy of humans, (although increasingly less so). 6. Don't underestimate the role of wild birds, they nearly all have their own early warning signals which the pigeons soon recognise. 7. Don't let less agile pigeons out, ie stock birds, tired racers, injured birds etc. The hawk is a master at picking out the more vulnerable bird. 8. The hawk will often hunt straight after rain, cos'. a) It hasn't been able to hunt itself, and It knows many of the wild birds need to come out and feed, and that feathers may be drenched, making them easier targets. 9. If you are going to use dummy eagle owls, make sure you take them in when you're birds aren't out, and keep moving it's location in the garden It is a fact that some of your birds will fall victim, but it's a great sport and worth some of the heartaches.

Apathy!

I've been very happy with my Blake's loft. I think you have to accept that some additional waterproofing is neccessary with any loft, to make it watertight, especially on the corners, and is not neccessarily due to poor workmanship. Driving rain is very difficult to keep out of any wooden structure. I find a couple of tubes of waterproof external silicone a great help.

David, I did one season's convoying, and never experienced anything of this nature. I suggest that maybe some damage had been sustained previously, perhaps a minor hairline fracture, which then gave way during normal exercise or as a result of a small bump with another bird.

Can somebody advise me of the best software package for pigeon racing records please. The more user friendly the better. I presently use the "Hodowla" package, which I acquired about 3 years ago. Some aspects of it are Ok, but not all, Thanks.

Well, you've got plenty of radical ideas Stuart. As previously stated though, you are there to carry out the wishes of the members, and it is they you would need to convince before changes can take place - that will be a job in itself! I can see you're passionate about the sport (same here), and it certainly needs a fresh approach and plenty of thrust to take us forward. I hope you decide to go ahead with an application, and good luck.

Well, life would be pretty boring if we didn't expand upon a question, or subject, and I more than appreciate the various viewpoints, which all have their place. Sometimes it can be difficult to express a view in type, that shows it to be in good humour, and a friendly suggestion rather than a direction. FREE SPEECH FOREVER! That said, thanks to Nancyview for a simple answer to a simple question! The fact is, all my other birds are paired, and down on eggs, and this cock was acquired 2 days ago. I think you may (or may not if you wish) agree, it's not worth disrupting the settled pairs at this stage. I've got the room for an exrtra pair, so why not. So, anybody got a spare hen?

Does anyone have a quality sprint hen available for stock purposes, preferably backed up by a good racing career? No pieds, whites, mealys or reds thanks. Nothing older than 04. I have a recently acquired quality cock that is deserving of a good mate, and I'm one hen short!

I tell you what, some of you boys know your pigeons. Yes, Quinlan's bird did get RPRA Ace bird 2006. He bought it back for £800. Interestingly the nest mate to this pigeon achieved 22nd in the Europa Classic final race. Many thanks to everyone for their input.

I acquired some of his birds at a sale. Reasonably impressed so thought I'd like to give some direct younbirds a go dependant on price.

I think that your observations are spot on. At the end of the day, a pedigree is only as good as the integrity of the person who completes it. I rarely buy from someone I don't know, or someone I haven't met (and made my own judgement). Even so, who's to say that unless the bird purchased has been reared in a single flight environment, there always has to be some doubt in respect of the sire. I think that too many fanciers when buying pigeons take too much for granted, and on trust. I would bet my last penny that on more than one occassion a pedigree for an expensive pigeon does not properly reflect parentage.

Hi to all. Does anyone have info on Luc va Hoecke pigeons, ie the man, the birds, and what is a reasonable price to pay for direct youngsters.

Hi Stuart, I'm interested in the Gabys/Janssens/BJs, inc. birds off Etampes& German. When will 2nd round be ready please? 12 Y/Bs required.