Novice

I always enjoy flying my birds. I compete to win and I enjoy watching every last one return. Because of the increased hazards they now face I am even more conscious that they should not be handicapped before release due to second class accomodation. Yes I did take exception to a comment made by someone ignorant of the facts to which I referred. Similarly I hope you also have an outstanding season.

Davy, last year I became conscious that I had not treated for worms for ages. I do treat with Ivomec for external parasites which (it is claimed) is effective against certain worms (this is contrary to the view of Tom Pennicoat) who suggested the wormer must be ingested. I actually bought a wormer and when I read the bottle it said"do not treat during the moult". By this time the youngsters which are natural were moulting like champions so I never used the wormer. It is still in my basket store---so I might treat for worms this year just to use this medication before the birds start to moult.

I don't think it's a good idea to treat for anything while rearing. The young are being pumped full of medication which they do not need at unknown doses---probably more than recommended. Personally I would not treat. I would not treat young for anything unless they needed it. Before and during racing I might treat for canker. I have not treated for worms in years but might do so this year.

My recollection was you were not even at the race in question so would be unlikely to be aware of the facts. But this is neither the time or place to disuss this.

Of course the welfare of the birds is paramount but surely the race cannot be fair if birds competing in the same federation are transported to and held at a race point in different transporters. The internal temperatures can vary considerably from one to another giving some birds a distinct advantage. By the way Mungo I waved to you as you passed the traffic lights going to Tesco today but you were obviously deep in thought.

Please remember that Gillette don't make money selling razors. It's the blades they shaft you for. This is exactly the same as ETS. The Unions should dictate the price they are prepared to pay the vendor for these rings and if they don't comply then tough luck. I would be prepared to bet that the manufacturing cost is no more than 10% of the price to the fancier. They are probably all made in the same factory and we could buy direct.

Like you I was part of the survey and found it to be a bit of a chore completing the paperwork. When the project started I felt it was an exercise which had to be done to allow us to draw conclusions and decide what to do next.

Any report on any subject is always open to interpretation. Here we have the interpretation of a biased reader in favour of the RSPB. Unfortunately they failed to publish the views of the SHU. The report did several things. It proved that attacks are frequent (unfortunately the survey was outwith peak times). It proved that deterrants did not work. The fact that when a sparrowhawk was relocated it was replaced by another proved that we are at saturation point with these killers. Relocation could only be short term plan as we would soon run out of location sites. The solution to this problem now lies with the fanciers and is open to interpretation but could include rescheduling our racing and breeding programs to eliminate this vital food source when it is most needed. This would result in a further decline of the song bird population resulting in a possibly restriction on BOP numbers.

Best ask the SHU. My personal opinion would be that all chipped rings should be sold through a recognised union and registered against that fancier. However I would have expected their priced to be comdeditive as they represent the fancier and should be actively trying to keep costs down.

The link is the one you have already posted. www.homingpigeons.co.uk

You are absolutely right. We all need a challenge, something different, in the racing season to add interest. This is one of mine for this year. Win lose or draw it will add interest.

Watch this space

I have introduced 2 pair from J and A Mellor. They are just mating just now but I think they are good birds and completely different type from those I already have. I am looking forward to testing them and having some fun with this years youngsters.

Study the results in your area. See who is winning at the distance you are interested in. Tell them you are starting with racers and ask if they can sell you a few birds and perhaps some eggs from their best later in the season.

Don't even look in the nest till they are ready for ringing

What do you mean they are "like a bunch of schoolgirls" They are a bunch of schoolgirls.

Very sad it sort of puts everthing into perspective.

I thought you had been about birds for years.

Just wait till School holidays and you have all day every day to spend with the birds. Try a few motivational tricks and you will not only beat him but the rest of the club--Good luck

If the respiratory infection is Ornithosis then the drug of choice would be Doxycycline which is marketed as Ornicure but there are others.

In this week's BHW page 9 there is a recipe for a tonic which uses both at the same time. The tonic also contains Naturaline and Lugols Iodine.

Best avoid buying from him

I have visited the seller's shop and found it very interesting reading. The operation seems to be based in Spain and there are many magic potions available some are a combination of drugs which are probably illegal in this country. One is a combination of Baytril and Amoxycillin. Postage is probably less than you would pay mainland GB.

I am happy the proposal failed but I think it was initiated at SHU level. I have good reason to believe this. I think involving any union would complicate matters and solve very little. It's not a new scenario.

I have absolutely no intention of becoming involved here but I tend to think this club is not affiliated to the SHU. I also believe that both Ayrshire and Lanarkshire Feds---SHU affiliates were actually attempting to establish a procedure that the Federations actually vetted candidates before their applications could be referred to clubs. Now off back to the hut to continue with "the creation of a strain" while sitting on the fence.