Novice

I would think great grandchildren based on the prices on their web sales but you might be lucky.

Thank goodness you Lanarkshire lads are on this site. You certainly know how to entertain

Clearly the thieves knew what they were after. Really sad.

Buy some pigeon food and allow it to steep for a few hours in hot water to soften it. Before feeding it to the bird take it to body temperature. Hold the bird in one hane at the same time opening it's beak with the same hand. Shove the feed over it's throat. It will swallow it if hungry. If you have no pigeon feed. Household dried peas will do meantime. If you cannot hold the bird and open it's beak with one hand then you need someone to assist you. Hope this helps.

Good point Chris--to get back on track I would suggest the reason for major losses is always multiple but I would point out that I read on here last week that the moon was in a particular phase and appeared pretty low in the sky. It was clearly visible on Saturday. I know there are those who have no faith in the sun and moon discussion but it might be worth considering when we propose a race program just in case it is relevant. I onec visited a prominent fancier who had ionisers running constantly in his loft. I asked if he thought they helped. He said he had no idea but for all they cost to run he was not going to switch them off. Cover all possibilities then we may do better.

I have a friend from from Southern England who said one of his best seasons was when he trained his birds in winter after they have completed the moult. There are mild days when this can be done in winter and the bonus is that BOP are less active than in summer. It is not something I would choose to do but your circumstances are exceptional.

Once again I have read the text. My impression is as always that the system is only useful when birds have returned home and the device is connected to a P.C. It does not transmit. I also note that the battery life is 4-4.5 hours. Not much good for birds which take a wrong turning. I don't want to put a dampener on what is a reasonable suggestion but these are my views based on what I have read. Many months ago I considered buying one of these systems but when I did my homework I considered it would not do what I wanted from it and shelved the idea.

For those of you who have access to it there is an article in Natural Winning Ways Number 24 pages 35 to 41 which discusses Orientation Ability. It is well worth a read.

As far as I am aware they do not transmit. I appreciate these are available and have been used to track migratory birds but as far as I am aware they are not generally available.

That technology is not available at the moment as far as I know. If it were then it would be ideal. At the moment such a race is outwith our capeabilities. Note----I have just had mail from a friend in Witney in Oxfordshire saying the weather there at the moment is ideal for pigeon racing.

I may be wrong here but I was of the opinion that the technology associated with the present pigeon GPS system is crude. The bird must home to have the system interfaced with a PC. to tell which route it has taken. The system does not transmit a signal. That's not what we are interested in----we are interested in the pigeons which fail to return so what would be the point in such a race.

It certainly looks like a race of 2 parts today.

According to the lib line there is a pigeon in Newmains Lindsay and Henderson at 17:39

Surely not with a 10:00 liberation

This thread obviously started as a wind up and the bait has been taken. Especially when posted on a Friday night. The only problem with the introduction of ets is the fact that the rings are not sold through a union and registered against a loft. That would prevent removal of rings for reuse and also help control racing of strays. It would also ensure that some of the profits were returned to the fancier.

Ayrshire---slight mist but looking good for later today

weather definately improving. Wind still westerly but less severe than earlier this week

A high cocci count is normally caused by something else which brings the bird down and from then the cocci take over.

Too many hangers-on making a right good living from the Sun City race for me to compete.

This is an interesting thread

I have read this book years ago. It is interesting and was written by Major Neilson Hutton. Most of his experience was with the army pigeon service. It is doubtful if he won a race. If you really want to read old articles which are second to none then read the Alf Baker book which I think is called " my methods, My birds" A class fancier who won against thousands of birds. Enjoy your pigeons and above all enjoy the learning curve.

Closely related birds on Elimar now

I have a pigeon in my loft bred 2009. His parents were selected from a stud by Brian May and sent to friends of his in Scotland. I bought the bird at a breeder buyer sale because I liked his type. He was my most consistent youngster (although it was short programme) with one first and one second prize (beaten by a loft mate) from 5 races entered. If he continues the good work next year I may start to believe.

I could be wrong but I don't think the secretary updates the web site.

I believe the White family won 2 Nationals, I believe as stated Scotch King and Scotch Queen. Neither were barless. I believe Matt White wrote an article on breeding barless pigeons at one point---I remember reading it. As pointed out earlier on this thread the best person to contact may be Ian Noble (SHU President) who was gifted the entire stock when Matt died. Whether or not he has preserved the family I am not sure.