PigeonDetective

Don't really know how the reacted last night.. the fireworks were on til after midnight.. But this morning I have never seen them fly so well Straight up, kitting together and wing slapping.. cant have bothered them that much!

very true.. and thunder storms are natures fireworks suppose. Cant help but be protective haha

Hopefully them being covered in the dark helps.. the closest people setting them off, seemed to have stopped now A nice downpour of torrential rain would be nice haha

I understand the kids like fireworks etc.. but my neighbours are taking the mick.. Hopefully my pidgies are not effected.. the rockets are making my girlfriend jump, so their probably petrified.. Losing patience

Are you just after racing pigeons? I keep fancy pigeons, if your just after pets for your son? I only live in Halewood.. Dunno if that sounds any good for you?

How do you find your birds cope with fireworks? My neighbours are pushing the boat out tonight, and im not too impressed.. Hope my birds are not sitting there being traunatized

Thanks for the replies.. I have a feeling one of my hens fell victim to a hawk or falcon couple of weeks ago.. she just disappeared. The area is probably ingrained in the culprits mind, because it was a successful kill.. Peregrines definitely operate in the area, But are a lot rarer I believe. I suppose ill just have to get my younger birds trapping quicker and hope for the best

Was reading an American article yesterday about BOP attacks on domestic pigeons in the states.. It claimed that goshawks have an astonishing kill rate of 90 odd %+ I was reading the article as iv been getting visits from buzzards (which I assume are too big and slow to catch a pigeon?) and What I believe to be sparrowhawks.. Luckily My birds had all got in the loft minutes before its arrival overhead yesterday.. Just got me wondering if a flock of healthy adult performance pigeons sees a sparrowhawk in good time, What would people say is the success kill rate would be? I'm afraid this is a sign of things to come and trying to work out the best time of the day to exercise my flock and avoid BOP's

They have lots of stamina, but then if you bred them with distance birds would probably expect higher losses if they lose homing ability?

I'm sure this subject has probably been touched in the past on the forum, So I apologize if im covering old ground.. And I also think a lot of folks on here will see this as a sacrilegious notion.. Just interested in whether anybody thinks an outcross to some of the performance or fancy breeds could in any way benefit a racing pigeon.. Obviously most people will see it as a step backwards in breeding terms & there is plenty of racing strains that offer outcross options.. Just wondering if anyone has had accidental matings of this kind and the results? I have heard on the grape vine of a Tippler X being half decent..

Yeh.. its a simple design.. Think its all about the angle, so they can get in, but not out

Thanks for the reply.. I was thinking aslong as there is a big enough landing board below them it should be fine

Has anybody got reviews of this product?: http://www.pigeons.co.uk/trapping-systems/anti-bolt-trapping-system.html They look like a far cheaper alternative to the sputnik.. Just wondering if anyone has experiences of them before I invest in lots of them haha

Im using chicken style drinker, but it doesn't dome over and they just use it as a perch.. ill have to buy another one anyway, my question was more out of interest really

Smart looking birds

I am providing my birds with plenty of water and changing it twice a day as it gets soiled.. I was reading on an American forum that some people have trained their birds to use rabbit water bottles that hang outside the cage.. This would definitely be hygienic, but would it work? I think it might cause fighting cos only one bird can use it at a time, but does anybody have experience of this for a small number of birds?

Thanks people

I get ya.. il get myself some fishing line then.. we got in after work today and the pigeon actually come down to see me and be fed, definitely gaining his trust.. The neighbours were moaning to me today about the cr*p on the wall from him (the pigeons a cock for the purpose of the thread haha) And with the cats knocking about, the sooner I catch him the better really.. He's wiley, il give him that! Thanks for the advice john

Thanks john.. I haven't got a basket handy, but if I gain its trust enough might be able to get it with something else.. He's on the roof of my house I think, Best place for him with the cats around here.. It might be of use if you explain 'the loop' technique if he sticks around a while longer haha

He/She is back.. It has a ring on each leg.. one red & one blue If that rings a bell to anybody?

There is a black racing pigeon hanging around my house.. My heart sunk when I saw it, because I thought my flights had escaped their loft with the high winds.. Its very dark black, with white wing tips on one side and quite big ceres.. a very handsome bird.... Tried to catch him yesterday, but he/she seems a bit wise.. Appears to have rings on both legs Fed it some maintenance food and left a bowl of water out.. Was surprised to see it again today, noticed he had some water to drink.. Had a quick check on neighbours roofs, seems to have flown now.. Hopefully it just needed to recharge its batteries and its on its way home to its owner!

Tar mate, I'll look into that

Thanks people.. Its not actually for tipplers, its for my flights, but they are similar sized to tipplers.. Was just wondering if I could get a couple without having to join a club

Does anybody know anywhere that sells rings that fit slightly smaller breed of pigeon (tipplers) than racing birds? Is it a big problem if I put normal 8mm rings on them? Most of the places that stock them seem to be in America or Australia?

Thanks for the reply.. Think it will be a matter of letting them rear some squabs then make sure there hungry when I let them out.. Cant wait to see them fly, will be nervous times tho haha