micko and jack

with the coming breeding season fast approaching I would like your thoughts on this nestboxes should they be left as they are bare plywood or should they be painted to seal the timber from mites and such likes if sealed painted or varnish if paint what type emulsion or undercoat ??? same applies to the trays for droppings under the nestbox

just to move this up the board so everyone can see it it is important so please read it and ask yourself WHY ARE THE CLUBS UNIONS FEDS AND ASSOCIATIONS NOT SPEAKING UP ?????

here boys and girls im not sure what's going on here but bird man of meath and anto are 2 great men with Photoshop well done lads but for the rest of you take it from me THERES NO SNOW IN BELFAST now come on lads stop with the fake photos the weathers always great in Gods Country

sorry guys still cant join this thread and post a photo told you all sell up and move to sunny IRELAND

I agree but maybe that's also a failing on pigeon fanciers/clubs/unions and associations not one comment supports mc canns article so maybe we could ALL keep an eye in the local press for this kind of article supporting pigeon fanciers post a thread and then WE mount a letter campaign in support of the sport just a thought for what its worth

about time someone spoke out publicly for pigeon fanciers just a pity it didn't come from one of the pigeon associations hopefully now others like the associations will sit up and take notice http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/eamon-mccann/falcons-are-ruthless-killers-of-pigeons-so-why-protect-them-14161314.html

CHAIRDE FRIENDS I would love to post a photo of our loft in the snow but the sun is shining here in Ireland all you boys and girls should think about selling up and moving over here

CHAIRDE FRIENDS I see from the threads that some of you have already paired up and some of you have birds on eggs and others have birds on chicks I hope you all have great success I was thinking about pairing up around the end of February mid March I'll see what the weathers like so heres my question as you all know we have fantails and they are an interest for jack (my grandson age 2) and myself and I'm after nice coloured birds now I have a good friend on site who is going to tell me what to pair to give me the colour but here's what I need to know if I pair all the birds at the same time and they all lay at the same time (and I know that may not happen) but lets say they do and 1 pair start to throw the colours I want and I decide next time they lay and I want to swap that pairs eggs to another pair the first pair will hopefully lay in about 10 days now if I put those eggs under another pair now that pair could have been on eggs maybe 7/15 days if they get the new eggs will the new pair know the eggs are taking to long to hatch and kick the eggs out or will they keep sitting on them until they hatch or should I stagger pairing maybe 2 pair 1 week 2 pair the next week and so on thanks mick

I came across this last night it maybe of some help to the Irish fanciers its about transport of birds and equipment from Dutch Pigeon Show / Lier market to Ireland http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/birds/858765

well well who has a sort head?? i know i know it wasn't the drink it was the Blackpool show ya ya I heard it all before a BIG disappointment birds to rich both feathered and skin types lol DUN DO BHEAL SHUT YOUR MOUTH well don't say you weren't warned I TOLD YOU !!!!! should have gone to THE DUBLIN SHOW hope you all had a great time got a bargain or at least a winner and arrived home safe micko

CHAIRDE FRIENDS I haven't been on in a while I just haven't been to well from Christmas so this is the big weekend the weekend you have all been waiting for IT'S THE BLACKPOOL WEEKEND to all who are travelling TOG BOG E TAKE IT EASY have a SAFE JOURNEY remember there will be other members there looking forward to putting a face to the name no matter if your after loft supplies or birds I hope you get a great deal and the birds are winners but if your getting birds DON'T BUY any that will be AG SIUL AR AN BOTHER WALKING ON THE ROAD they wont win races lol unfortunately I wont be there maybe next year I'm for Spain on Monday I CRAVE the sun and heat haha but you could all do me a favour TAKE LOADS AND LOADS OF PHOTOS AND POST THEM (as you all know Jack only keeps fantails so some pics of them would be nice) to each and everyone of you from Jack and myself have a great time enjoy and stay safe SLAN GO FOILL GOODBYE FOR NOW micko

talk has it and i dont know if its true or not personaly i think it is true but gangster (mick) has booked into FUNNY GIRLS

Billy we have never talked but GO GCUIRE DIA AN T-ADH ORT ! BEST OF LUCK TO YOU TOG BOG E TAKE IT EASY SLAN GO FOILL GOODBYE FOR NOW mick and grandson jack

hahaha come on now boys and girls if you want GOOD SUNNY WEATHER sell up and come to GODS COUNTRY the sun allways shines in IRELAND lol

from myself grandson jack and family to all at your ATHBHIAIN FAOI MHAISE DUIT HAPPY NEW YEAR

OMG my daddys 78 and he talks like that like A LOT of people on this thread my father remembers getting into the pictures for an old jam jar ahhhh dont worry at you time of life sure you'll get the winter fuel payment hahahah

CHAIRDE FRIENDS i'm on the lookout for a fantail hen SOLID COLOUR ONLY (NOT WHITE) a solid yellow or red would be nice if anyone hears of one going please give me a shout i got jack a back saddle the guy i got it of said i need a hen of SOLID colour to give the cock a chance to throw saddles now that maybe ole crap but i dont know just trying to cover all the bases

one of jacks birthday presents from granda looking a bit gruby from the loft i bough it from but hopefully with the new perches i put in and a few cider vinegar baths he'll clean well

guess whos 2 tomorrow the BOSSMAN the master of the loft fantail Jack and im sure you will all wish to offer JACK A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

both these photos show 3 trays on top of nestboxes what colour would you call this bird

CHAIRDE (FRIENDS) I have changed a few things in the loft split the loft 8x4 in 2 cocks one side hens the other I ripped out the perches the birds looked to me like they were getting a bit grubby I seen perches in the loft at the Belfast show and made ours to suit us 3x11/2 par with 1/4 rebates cut with the router to take the side panels 2x1 par ripped down the middle given 3/4 x 3/4 cut 2" glued and pinned to the back wall 7"off nestbox grill behind it with drawers underneath to catch the soil the drawers are made of 2x1/2 par glued and pinned to laminated flooring I went for that as apposed to 1/4 ply the laminate will be easier to clean and less of a hiding place for mites and such likes the drawer simply rest on top of the ply side dividers on top of excising nestboxes I made 3 trays again 2 x 1/2 par glued to laminated flooring the flooring joints are ALL glued also an inner frame again 2 x 1/2 par with galvanised 1/2 x 1/2 mesh on top and overhanging 2" I'm well pleased with it all so far I only finished it on Christmas eve so I'm hoping once the birds start using the bath they will clean up and the changes to the loft well fingers crossed it will help keep them looking tip top I HATE TO SEE OUR BIRDS LOOK GRUBBY

maybe we should be looking to resolve this and the ONLY people who can do this is Richard and Duncan I also feel that Stuart SHOULD have an input as far as the poll and prize goes reading through the threads I think the majority of members think (and I could be wrong ) the poll should be scrapped so what happens to the prize well its Christmas time and Christmas is a time for family and CHILDREN why not think about giving the prize to some young fancier and no I'm not talking about those members in the poll (AND IM NOT TALKING ABOUT MY JACK ) the future of the sport is in YOUNG FANCIERS I remember sending greeting to a young fancier in Scotland (I think) who in their first season was winning well young Sammy is another that comes to mind the poll was supposed to be a bit of craic (fun) I honestly don't think ANY of the members in the poll were really fussed about the prize more interested in the craic (fun) of it read down the list all the members apart from myself (and NO I never voted for myself the 1 vote) most are on giving advice birds and humour

i was looking at google last night and came across this i found it very interesting and have addded it to my favourates http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Pigeons/BRKPigeons.html

CHAIRDE FRIENDS i was on last night and to honest i was saddened to see what was happening (re DOVEScot) and in the season of good will to all MEN WOMEN AND BIRDS so i was looking through google i typed in fantail breeding and came across this and i know it will be of interest to all fanciers i cut and pasted the whole thing mick Groups meet to discuss racing pigeon and peregrine issues 27 November 2008 Stephen Harris PR Adviser E-mail: stephen.harris@rspb.org.uk The RSPB, the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group (NIRSG) and representatives of pigeon racing or show groups have met for the first time. This unusual group of collaborators has come together to try to solve the problems faced by each side. The pigeon groups are very concerned at the loss of their pigeons to peregrine falcons, while the RSPB and the NIRSG aim to protect peregrine populations. James Robinson, Conservation Manager at the RSPB is pleased the groups have met: “We recognise the strong wish of the pigeon groups to undertake their sport and protect their birds. At the same time, the peregrine falcon is a species protected by European and national law. The peregrine population in Northern Ireland has declined in recent years, and we believe this is linked to illegal persecution although no convictions have been secured. We hope that this meeting will be the first of many to consider solutions that will reduce pigeon losses, while protecting peregrine populations at the same time. We hope all groups will condemn any illegal activity.†Peter Martin of the Ulster Federation of Racing Pigeons said, “The meeting was never going to be easy, but we are pleased to have the opportunity to raise our concerns with the RSPB and the NIRSG face to face. It’s great the RSPB has said it is willing to talk about solutions like ‘hawk-eyes’ to scare peregrines and other raptors from pigeon lofts, or diversionary feeding. The problems won’t stop tomorrow, but we want to reassure our members that we are working to uphold their interests.†Marc Ruddock, Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group and Queen’s University agreed: “I’m delighted that the pigeon groups will help to collect data that will inform better research into these problems in future. We’ve also agreed to do joint press releases in future.†The meeting was hosted by Quercus at Queen’s University Belfast. The groups intend to meet again to discuss specific solutions. Notes Notes to editors For further information or to arrange an interview, contact the relevant representative below. RSPB NI Media Officer Stephen Harris stephen.harris@rspb.org.uk or 07736 477526 The pigeon groups attending the meeting were: · Local Tumblers and Tipplers representatives – Bobby Dunseith 07756 202345 · The Irish Homing Union (IHU) – Ken McConaghie kenmcconaghie38@btinternet.com or 07512 856775 · The Northern Ireland Provincial Amalgamation of Racing Pigeons (NIPA) - Fred Russell fred@niparacingpigeons.co.uk, 90351441 or 90234805 · The Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA) · The Ulster Federation of Racing Pigeons - Peter Martin flyordielofts@hotmail.co.uk or 07770 415941 Marc Ruddock, NIRSG and QUB, can be contacted on m.ruddock@qub.ac.uk or 07762 122755 Quercus is the Northern Ireland research centre for biodiversity and conservation biology. The group was established as a partnership between the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and Queen's University, Belfast.

hes lovely and i like his dress sence haha im sure like my Jack he will get ALL he wants AND MORE for Christmas lol i bet like myself granny give grandas credit card a hammering try tell roberta theres a credid crunch