pjc

She still called Foxy or have you changed her name?

she is very playfull, and quick around the garden. Loves a fuss and attention. p.s your mailbox is full Chris

its not fair to ask Gail to provide information on the location. If you need more information then you should contact DEFRA as you could even be in a restriction area!

so what your saying is Mr Burnside has transfered a bird to you that you do own or have in your loft?

we know what the rules are IB but as we can see and know not all birds are vaccinated and never will be. I suspect less vaccinate now than did within the first couple of years the vaccination became compulsary but the numbers of cases are published anualy but the numbers remain constant. 100% vaccination will not irradicate pmv, how are you going to vaccinate ferrals etc?

good luck

only a few, it'll be full in an hour!

i didn't start the thread as a witch hunt but to get a honest picture of what is going on! There are members on here who don't race, keep fancy breeds although if they show they are governed by the same rules and just have birds as pets so i wouldn't expect everyone to say yes. What is interesting is the number that only do the race team!

those that have flu vaccine still get flu! And how long will it take before immunity is built up against the vaccination?

you should know it full of orders!

we know what the "code of practice" says but as we can see by the pole over a quater that do vaccinate only do the race team either because they believe it has no benefit or can cause long term problems. Look at how long we have had vaccination! There are still approx the same number of reported cases each year and why is it only now that research is being carried out?

you saving that special hen for me! ;)

it will soon be time to offload "surplus to requirements" but they won't all be bad, there will be some genuine birds from genuine fanciers wanting to make room for younger stock but there will be a lot of rubbish. Do your homework before buying older stock is the best advice!

suposed to be Newbury but its now been put back to Sunday due to forecast!

does anybody working at the BHW keep pigeons?

what are you feeding them?

Sorry to hear the sad news, I recall reading the help and support you both and other members gave Billy which i'm sure he realy appreciated. Good luck to you all and I hope Duncan persues his wish to race. Phil

There are many though that feel the vaccination was forced upon us and no research has ever been carried out in regards to the effects it may have on the pigeons long term health, reproduction etc etc

This again highlights a problem and the lack of action by the RPRA etc, When there was an AI break out near Banbury birds were still being raced within the restricted area with members being shown in the BHW holding there section pigeons. Also a prominent national flyer had a pigeon in 2 overseas results a week apart, where was the 7 day rule? The RPRA as normal put there head in the sand and took no action!

I suspect it is fiction, DEFRA are not realy intersted in us which is why they drag there feet when bird flu is around etc, we are irritation to them!

I'm not asking people to openly say yes they do or no they don't but am interested to know by anonymus poll how many do actualy vaccinate for PMV?

I think it is out of control, why?, well as we've said how many report it?, how many say they vaccinate, produce forms etc but don't actualy jab them? and how many lofts are there around that don't race, keep fancy birds as pets, dovecotes etc that have never even heard of vaccination?

It wouldn't make any difference because fanciers will still not report a problem and if the problem is as previlent as it appears DEFRA would stop racing.

forecast doesn't look good for us all weekend.

I agree with you Bob, some members will not send if they have a problem others will still send the birds they think are healthy but may be carriers and spread these problems. Very few will put there hands up, let other members in the club know they have a problem, close the loft down and get to the bottom of the problem. How many members of your club have sent 50 bird one week and 10 the next when normally they would send the team week in week out, do they know they have a problem in the loft? Some just have to keep chaseing tickets and averages with no consideration for either there birds or others. There will always be people who don't know a healthy pigeon from a sick pigeon also to contend with!