neila

Cheers mate ,that's a good one

That's interesting Just shows how very different ways can work

Thanks for the reply Do they roam at all in Feb and march Mine go for hour to two hours for 3 weeks or so in late may or June Then I just train 15 miles on the line of flight So they out of basket direct to loft once they are 12 weeks old for about 4 weeks It's good of you to share a method different to mine

How much flying do they do around home from March onwards and more importantly in may and June Do they run the same but earlier ?

Could I ask what is you system from April to July

Yes I agree with both of you Many do it though it's common practise in my area , my youngsters are all lmid March to late April hatched Just wondered how others manage the early teams

I am not one to have early babies due to work I find it easier to have them March weaned onwards for the lighter nights I was talking to a mate at the weekend who said all his babies will be weaned before the end of January I just wondered what methods fanciers have from weaning to the first race Do they run the same as spring babies ? Do you have to train them from April time and keep the going How do you keep them working around for the period from weaning to July even my late youngsters have enough of flying round home once they are 5 months or so old around August time

How sad a truly great fancier Rip

Very good of you to offer these

Thank you mate , I think mine are the higher strength from what I could find Cheers Neil

Hi Derek When my mother was ill the doctor said in the uk due to lack of sun we should take vit D everyday I asked what brand and he said they are all the same anyway I still take it but wondered if you recommend any particular brand or strength Thank you

Best of luck mate Hope they do you proud

Looking good Lindsay What's your plan for them training wise or are they for breeding

At one time I worked away staying away 3 nights so I got my mother to let the birds out each day and shut the trap up after a few hours I only fed a hopper of beans other than when I was going to race then fed a high carb mix with sunflower for 2 or 3 days The birds flew for hours on a unpaired system and beans ,, Come the combine races I was 3 rd then 4th then anout 20th in the 3 water races and 4th BBC in the one race I sent to It made my life a lot easier only trouble was upto 150 miles on the prep races they were about 10 mins off the pace Now we have loads of short races in my new club it wouldn't work I would be behind but if I only had interest in 250/300 miles I wouldn't hesitate to hopper feed beans and a high carb mix by hand .

more barley and easily to digest grains Vanrobaeys web site is a good one look at the casaert mix or number 29 and add more barley to that type of mix up to say 30 per cent barley Protein mot over 11 or 12 per cent and no large heavy grains

I do the opposite to a lot would do once the babies are weaned they get breed and wean for 2 weeks then I add the mix that I will keep them on which is very light first week half the breed and wean and half my tlight mix for a week then just the light mix to the end of the season No peas or beans to they are raced and then just a few on Sunday I like them to be up and away running by time there 8 to10 weeks old They fly with vigour and have no health problems like many have on this light mixture ,

Let it have big youngsters and driving the hen again let him in front out so he can see the hen . Wet him down and allow him to walk in the loft for 4 or 5 days Then have him out on a dull day but keep the hen in with the big youngsters

Best of luck with your plan

Lovely pigeon ,fantastic record takes some doing to win a fed let alone one cock breeding 5 winners

Was you flying these on a route on the east of the country on the south rd ,the same route as Ali McLeod ?

I have never tried distance birds mine are really more up to 350 miles , living on the east of the country I thought they would cover the same terrain racing to the north east in a area of top class fanciers but like Wiley it's not worked for me .

I have tried lots of unc birds here I have one hen to show for it she is a good one having bred a fed winner and lots of fed top 10 pigeons and 4 or 5 club winners with different cocks but that's not a great turn out from the amount I tried . I had 6 pairs from one of the very best lofts in that area that win out of turn every year all mine were out of the stock loft of top breeders and not cheap afterb2 years I had one hen that scored in the fed to show for it For some reason. birds I have tried from the north west of England Staffordshire ,Derbyshire up to Liverpool and Manchester the percentage of good ones is much higher Not really sure why but I have birds from this area that have hit straight away I guess luck must play some part in it

Do any members consider when buying new birds consider the terrain the birds fly in Would birds that win on the fast south road races in the south if England do the same in the North of Scotland for example Or would pigeons that win over the water into the north of England and upwards win in the south where the birds hit the water with only a few hours of daylight to cross compared to facing the French coast early in the day like the northern pigeons Even to sprint level would fast birds flying into flat area like Lincolnshire win into the Welsh valleys etc Or do you feel good birds will win anywhere

I know what you mean once the cold days kick in I will use it and when I do I put on about half the ration so they clear it then put the remaining down like you say it can go rancid I have never heard of the other product you mention I will have a google on it ,thanks mate

Mine in the main are on the last flight Changing the feed soon to 1 barley 1 dupurative 1 beans 30 grams a day for the cocks 28 grams for the hens. I have some cod liver oil that I will use twice a week for vitamin D due to the lack of sun and dark days A bit more barley on the days my water freezes up They will stay on this to February just prior to breeding Avidress in the water , and grit and mineral fresh each day What will others be feeding