Novice

Good luck to the new committee

I have some but my opinion tended to be that the porous nature of the clay meant that even after a good scrub it could still be harbouring nasties.

Progressive thinking to my mind.

Very interesting thread. I note that Solway intend going to the coast themselves. Have they decided on a race programme yet?

How would blue and white suit you?

41 pence I stand corrected.

I think there are 2 prices. The 40 something pence rings are for rings issued directly from the SHU office to fanciers. These have no prefix. Rings sold through the federations are, I believe, 30 pence but individual federations add a few pence to this to swell their coffers.

Almost certain Ian Noble stated 43 pence but I could be mistaken but the Ayrshire 2013 issue will be picked up tomorrow.

Ayrshire Federation secretary is picking up ours this week so no need to panic. I also believe that no prefix SHU rings are 43 pence each this year. Not a big issue but worth knowing.

I have been trying to figure out the logic and I am struggling Goodness knows what your thought pattern must be.

I had imagined them being in an old shed somewhere but goodness knows. I would have thought a fancier would have taken some hens as well. Let's hope they return soon

Rab, is there no chance that this could have been done by local boys and there is a possibility they are still in the area? By this I mean teenagers from the area between you and the canal. I know when we have had livestock stolen in the past they have been pretty local. I feel for you.

4 of us travelled through together and from what I could see the classes were well supported which was good. I would have liked more stands but at least with the show being reasonably quiet earlier there was a chance to have a discussion with stall holders without being jostled. The food was good, the company was good and generally I enjoyed my day. I did fancy a ewe which had a rather charming smile but resisted temptation.

He made a living as a clown and is now carrying on where he left off.

Great post Stevie, Correct me if I am wrong but the JKs which remain in the borders are still winning and scoring well in Nationals and are certainly up to the standard of the master. I should also add that the home of Pierre Dordin was Villa Patience.

Very Good. On a more serious note are you all aware that 24% of children born in the UK are born to immigrant parents. Do the maths! They are outbreeding us while living off us. Perhaps his wish may soon become a reality.

Well done Ellis

Well done Stevie a quality hen,

Chickens are particularly bad for mite. They infest the birds and the hut. Just need to keep treating the birds and the loft till they are gone. Are the scales on the legs of your birds raised as mite can do this to poultry?

There are so many of these about now that BOP attacks can happen on any race route it's very much a case of luck either good or bad. What we really need to consider more than any other factor is potential for clashing. I think we will all agree that for federations located in the west the potential for clashing is minimal on a westerly route.

Don't tell your neighbour but her hens would also benefit from recycled egg shells.

Brian can examine a human eye and tell a great deal about the health of an individual. He can also tell whether or not the owner of the eye has had sex recently.

Defo a case of horses for courses.

The pump, filter and uv need to be sized to the capacity of the pond. Before you buy these measure the pond capacity and any stockist will advise you what you need. Remember the fish will grow and pollute more as they do so. If you pay a little extra for a pump it will probably be more efficient than a cheap one and you save on electricity. The parameter you need to measure as your system starts up is ammonia because fish generate this and it is toxic to them. I think Bradshaws sell online and have a web site with advice. I would wait till spring of the year before stocking the pond and only with a couple of fish to start with till the filter starts working. Incidentally I hope the pond is far from the loft as the pigeons would rather drink from the pond on a Saturday than enter the loft.

Based on a conversation I had with George several years ago when he let his distance birds go I feel that he (the partnership) were lacking in motivation for National competition. George said he did not wish to keep a pigeon which would only be timed once a year when he could fill the lofts with birds which came to the front every week. They set out to establish themselves as the best against huge birdages and they certainly achieved that. Having achieved that target the emphasis may change in the future.