Novice

I mated a few stock pigeons early this year in order to send a team of 3 to a single loft race. I bred 15 to select 3. the remainder were allowed to exercise freely. Before I realised what was happening 6 of those I retained had vaporised. I see nothing either which appears to leave the situation open to interpretation by individual secretaries.

I lchecked the SHU constitution at 03:00 this morning and found no mention of any date. I'll check again later as I think it's rather fluid as is.

I stand corrected. I would never have thought the matter was sufficiently important to phone a friend. It won't bother me as I won't need them till April.

7th January is the SHU date unlesss I am mistaken. No volume of flannel can disguise this fact. This is to ensure that the current crop of youngsters are born in the same year as the ring they wear. I have known fanciers who had youngsters rung on 25th December with SHU rings. if you mate to have youngsters in the nest during December then you may have no rings when they are required unless sourced else where. This has happened previously when delivery to the SHU was delayed.

Scottish rings are not issued till January 7th although there are some members jwho receive special treatment.

Youngsters bred from parents mated in early December are starting to fly when Percy is most active before going to nest. You will lose quite a few during February/ March.

I think it would help but I wonder if the old birds actually bring this virus home with them as well. These old birds are immune to the virus and show no symptoms but the youngsters are vulnerable as their baby immune system deteriorates and their adult system takes over. For years now I have kept my birds as one community but this will change next year as the youngsters will be separated and managed differently from the old birds. Maybe I should have done this earlier but I do enjoy seeing a big batch in the sky.

There is a fine line between medication and supplementation. In theory top athletes only achieve what they do due to supplementation of the diet but I would suggest they are actually medicated under supervision. What I am actually saying is I agree with Stevie supplementation is positive.

Virkon produce 2 products. Virkon S and Virkon H2O. Virkon H2O is the product which was formulated for and should be used in the drinking water. The following was taken from the Virkon S Data Sheet Composition Pentapotassium bis(peroxymonosulphate) bis(sulphate) 70693-62-8 40 - 55% Sodium C10-13-alkylbenzenesulfonate 68411-30-3 10 - 12% Malic acid 6915-15-7 7 - 10% Sulphamidic acid 5329-14-6 4 - 6% Sodium toluenesulphonate 12068-03-0 1 - 5% Dipotassium peroxodisulphate 7727-21-1 <3% Dipentene 138-86-3 <0.25% Hazardous warnings : May be harmful if swallowed. May be harmful in contact with skin. Causes skin irritation. Causes serious eye damage. Harmful if inhaled. Toxic to aquatic life. Precautionary : Avoid breathing dust/ fume/ gas/ mist/ vapours/ spray Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Avoid release to the environment. Wear protective gloves. IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water. IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/ physician. Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on this label). If skin irritation occurs: Get medical advice/ attention. Take off contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. Dispose of contents/ container to an approved waste disposal plant. Given the warnings listed under Hazardous Warnings above I would question the wisdom of giving this product to pigeons in the drinking water unless under exceptional circumstances. Note I have a friend who was employed as a gamekeeper and is now unfit for work due to spraying breeding pens with this product. If someone can highlight a team of pigeons which win out of turn in strong competition then I may change my opinion.

RIP Benny a real gentleman.

You're older than me Jim so probably can recall the event much more clearly. Of course I agree any record breaking performance will always be wind assisted. It's a matter of having a pigeon at the event, in form when the conditions suit your location.

Did Roland's post answer your question? I have no idea whether the Davidson were related but I think that Lesley moved from Ayrshire to Greenock due to his employment as a bank manager.

I'm not saying I am right by the way. I am only quoting from the text written by Bobby. If you have the time I think you will find that his text is an interesting read. As I said it's online but I have the hard copy as well.

If you do a search for 100 years of Racing Pigeons into Ayrshire you will find some useful information there. I think chapter 7 is the relevant passage. The text was written and compiled by Bobby Kennedy who was friendly with Henry and , indeed I think they worked in the same factory in Irvine. The record into Ayrshire was established by "Faith which was owned by WG Davidson. Henry's timed on 3 occasions 3rd and 23rd are the only 2 positions mentioned but his 3rd which was with Lionheart was not even close to the record set by Faith. The record was then beaten by Alan Raeside's Conqueror which took just over 2 days for the journey. Note when I say record I only speak about into Ayrshire. I don't know how to paste a link from the iPad or I would have done so.

RIP Russell

I have just read an article on the MSN home page. Obviously it is human related but it does state that sufficient protein is essential to maintain a strong immune system. Perhaps Roland has a very valid point.

Agreed

I deliberately didn't name names. I believe the guy was also buying knitwear in the borders. At the time of the visit I had just introduced Brasspenning pigeons from Louella. He immediately recognised as Janssens. He went on to explain that he had 30 direct from Arendonk. When we left the loft I asked if they would like anything to eat or drink. They declined. When I asked if they would like to use the toilet their faces lit up. They had all been standing there with their legs crossed and wouldn't ask to use the loo.

I have no idea how many winners he has produced over the years but the information i quoted is factual. I know he has sold pigeons to many countries in the world. I know I had a visit from a Japanese fancier who was in the area on business and Henry sold him a few on that occasion. I wouldn't part with any pigeons on that occasion but Henrys friend who accompanied the party advised me to sell and charge plenty as the Japanese guy was loaded. The party which included an interpreter left me heading for Blantyre.

No Al but I have a friend who won a single loft race with one of them this year and also the French single loft race and National last year with them. I think this is unique as my friend has not raced with a club yet. these just must be good birds. Are they suited to your location well that's another matter.

Obviously any response is based on opinion but, for me the pigeons and performances of Ronnie Williamson stand head and shoulders above anyone else in the world. None of the Europeans can compare with these birds and he flies over the tough Irish terrain.

Jim Biss had pigeons from many sources in his loft. The ones I remember were through a Supercra k chequer pied cock called Favourite. His winning pigeon descended from Lionheart was Natrix as far as I remember. Whether or not Natrix bred good birds or not I don't know. Natrix was a good pigeon. Henry Mair last raced in club races about early 70s. His best club position was 3rd. club Lancaster in 1968. I think Lionheart took about 8 days to return from 1000 miles while in the same location Conqueror raced by Alan Raeside did the trip in about 2 days. Conqueror was much less well known than Lionheart but then Alan wasn't a salesman. Conquerors velocity was 687ypm and that is the present record into Scotland from that distance.

Potassium permanganate is produced synthetically.

Sadly most of the compounds we refer to as natural were actually produced in a factory. Vitamin C is a natural product if you want to spend all day squeezing lemons. However pharmaceutical companies buy it in 25 kilo boxes. Of course I did understand exactly what you were speaking about but it's completely impractical to test everyone's pigeons every week. Most of the chemicals you are referring to require individual tests to identify them. It would be very expensive to do this. I agree wholeheartedly with comments regarding SNFC transportation and the purchase of new crates suggests they are committed to this for some years ahead.