neneland

Hi All I Have a number of unrung stock that are too good to cull, but due to the expectation of there being no racing this year, I need to make room for the youngsters. These are all Dordin based and the only reason some of them are unrung is due to my missing them as they grew so quickly. Two (one is Jan Arden), returned home after 3 days with busted legs so the rings had to be removed to save the legs. There are two red cocks and one blue cock out of my mo.1 breeding pair. The Jan Arden Cheq cock mentioned above. Another blue cock, and there are two blue pied hens that are out of the stock loft. So 7 in total which I am sure will compliment someone's team or help a starter. If you are interested please get in touch Will try upload some photos Regards Michael

First round young birds are on the wing for about an hour and half at present - the second round are being sent to the one loft races and breeder/buyer. have to say for the first time of breeding early, and very happy with progress. No breeding from the race team this year - Stock will now be separated as the young are weaned off.

Yes, but couldn't tell you how many days though as I tend to clean out twice a day, usually notice mould when I have been away and had someone feeding them for me.. Regards to everyone for the information

My pigeons devour it like its cocaine! I can use it as a trapping aid .. All I have to do is show them the yellow tub and they are at my feet... but might just give the "All in One" a go if its cheaper and does the same job

Hi guys, on the odd occasion my pigeons have had smelly droppings, and just wondered what your thoughts were. Today I have ordered some test kits for the first time to see if there is anything I am missing The birds do look in good condition. ideas?

my stock birds (9 pair) went down in December and apart from the odd cracked egg and a couple of week youngsters (outed), very happy as they are now out flying strongly looking in good health. 11 early bred and 10 2nd round for the One Lofts and breeder/buyer. The loft isn't heated and I think the cold helps them sit tighter. Also I feed in the nest box once hatched to deter them from leaving the youngsters. up and over nestboxes which might keep from getting as cold as an open fronted??

From the pedigrees I have of my Dordin based family, the only parentage I have is his sire and dam Ch. Scout - Sire: Negre Bleu Dam: Bleue 201 If I can find out anymore, I will pass on...

I have been using a GPS system to track my pigeons flights home, and I can tell you that it makes you stand up and take notice. My birds will follow roads, rail lines and rivers rather than a straight line. From Grafham Water they flew over to the A1 and followed that right up to Peterborough before breaking. It has also indicated that the birds are deliberately deviating away from high energy sources such as radar and telephone masts.... and more importantly.... Wind farms. My birds find their way to the same point every time before breaking a dog leg left towards home... Food for thought

I have sent squeakers to the first race, from memory I think 12 weeks old is as young as you can get and send with confidence. If you can get them down the road and coming well, then they are ready. In the end, the birds will tell you whether they are ready or not.

I buy 20 club rings and 20 NFC rings - but seldom fill them. I will send some to One loft races, others to the Breeder/Buyer and keep around 12/16 for myself. These will be sent with the old birds when the come back races arrive and to every young bird race plus if any are left, The NFC young bird national. I still hold that sending with the old birds helps with confidence, experience and reduces stress. JMO

I don't think it matters when you breed your youngsters, if the hawks are going to have them, they will. In the past I have bred in Feb, May and July and up until a few years ago never lost a feather, now I m lucky to end up with 25% This year is the first time pairing up in December and the youngsters are looking great, they are even alert to BOP patrolling the area. Time will tell. At this time of year, I guess they are on a form of natural darkness. They go out just after sun up for an hour and an hour before darkness. Weather permitting of course.

Glad you are still in the game, even I thought about packing in last year, to the point I sold my whole team of youngsters. I came back from a fortnight abroad to find a round of latebreds, I put rings on them and I ended up winning my first race in 40 yrs... These latebreds are looking a picture and I will give them a fair chance this year without risking them. They have not been bred from, and if all goes to plan, be raced celibate and see how they go. My problem is knowing what is best to feed....

I think we all hope we can buy something that will improve our current stock, but many of us have often gone down the road of paperwork... oh I am sure buying off stock that has done the business is a good way forward, but we are still at risk of our own luck and management. Personally, I think we need to take a leaf out of the past masters who would go and buy the actual winning birds or the parents. Just recently, I had the opportunity of purchasing birds that had flown Tarbes into Crewe and where possible, the parents. This was sadly an entire clearance sale, but having prior knowledge and doing some research paid dividends when these Dordin & Biss birds came up. I can only hope I do them justice.

For the first time in my 42yrs in the sport, I bred my 2020 youngsters in December, and I have to say I am somewhat impressed with them so far. I have a new 3 section loft with one section housing 9 pair of stock. I have not bred off any of the race team this year. In the past, I have often found later bred (end April start May) youngsters perform well and the moult doesn't effect the season. My intention, as with previous years, is to send the youngsters to the come back races towards the end of the old bird season, I find this helps reduce losses.

not a chance! mine have been locked up since end of last season, and wont be out before mid february at the earliest. i saw some out training this morning up the A1 near the M18 heading north....beggers belief!

too many fanciers breed too many youngsters every year, it is preferable to breed a few good ones. i order just the 20 rings from the NFC and i dont fill them all. the more you breed, the more you feed the hawks! dont get lulled in to trying to make up the numbers

i fully intend to pair up my NFC birds in order to have the cocks sitting 10 days and the hens chipping out... each of my birds are aimed at a specific race point, therefore, each will be paired at a different time. that said, the old birds will have its partner from the beginning of the season

not a chance of me pairing up until April... I have found the old birds hold their flights longer,and the youngsters are still in body feather, even for the NFC YB national! i dont need darkness, nor extra cost of feed for the longer period of having early breds and no stress on old birds, plus the added bonus of not worrying about the temperature .... each to their own

thx... will see if they want this poor chap back, i doubt it at this time of year...

I have just used Harkers Spot on Harka_Mectin two drops between shoulders to the skin supposedly kills all those on board... after handling my birds today, no sign of life, ermm lice lol... can only hope the inside is the same i think that, as in the equine world, you have to change your products as the parasites get used to the regular use of a product. JMO Michael

I have used iodine for ever, couple of drops in the water every 2 or 3 days and not had a case of canker (to my knowledge) in the loft. one of those things, some will dismiss it, others will be all for it... for me, it does my birds no harm... and having not had canker why stop! JMO Michael

Lost during moving lofts... I offer a reward to the return (alive) of GB10S22842 07 877 117 662 01775 766616 mjsaint67@yahoo.co.uk Regards Michael

picked up in spalding this morning cheq cock in fair good health, will feed and dose if yours, please call/text/email 01775 766616/07877117662/mjsaint67@yahoo.co.uk regards Michael

Where abouts are you?

Hi, if anyone has any 2012 Dordin youngsters ready or expected that they are willing to part with, please get in touch. 07 877 117 662 or mjsaint67@yahoo.co.uk many thx Michael Saint