[Barcelona Int]

I think any race where it's not possible to get home on the day, is not a race, they're just homing.

[Barcelona Int]

There is 1 in, East section, Mr R Dove, day 3. Congrats to that pigeon a brave soul, but lately all the races are more homing than races to me. I ain't surprised, yesterday down here was blowing west/north west 20mph bright sun, with heavy down pours thrown in. I doubt if anyone down here will see a feather again in the southwest

I asked the question on the forum the other day. What do you class racing or homing. I don't see how 2 birds home from 359 sent in 3 days is racing. I'd say it's verging on cruelty. I know I'll get slagged off, but only my opinion.

[Racing Or Homing?]

What's people's opinion on what distance a pigeon is classed as racing rather than homing.

Eg 100 mile race compared to Barcelona.

[Sprint Pigeons]

Might be worth telling people where you are suituated.

Sorry, flying in to Yorkshire.

 

Go to Ryan Gadsdon small numbers big results imo he is on here as Wiley... he don't really sell pigeons as he has very little himself.

Thanks for reply, I'll try and get in touch.

[Sprint Pigeons]

Please could anybody recommend any fancier who races inland only and has created their own family. Prefreably not a mob flyer, ideally a small back garden flyer if they still exist.

Looking to get a few latebreds to breed from.

Thank you

[Natural]

Two Yearling Cocks still to come from yesterday so does not look good for them and thats a liberation site they have been to umpteen times without problems. I cannot say it was to cold yesterday as it was 9c with little wind so no chill factor in fact it was quite pleasant in the sunshine and some were home in 40 minutes.

Regarding my misdemeanor in race distances LOL I thought Roye was in Belgium so thank's Novice for enlightening me but that is where she will go if she keeps to her 40 day cycle and the Bassas leave her alone.

 

Will you break down her nest at some stage if she's not in correct cycle for her target races?

Or do you never disturb nests?

[Natural]

Well I sent 25 Hens mostly Yearlings and Late Breds to 85 miles Otterburn for their first race and had them all home.. My first timer was 8 minutes behind the Armadale winner with 700 + birds from that club. I suppose I have to be happy with the performance they put in against birds with a lot more experience. The Hen I timed first was feeding a 4 day baby so will be set up later in the year for a 400 miler. I will have the Cocks training this week and they will go into a 110 mile race for the start of their programne with the following week all into 150 miles as they should be cleaner with finishing rearing and on dummy eggs. Congratulations to all who have won this week especially the Convoyers who gave us great returns in the cold North West winds.

 

Well done on 100% returns.

The hen you'll set up for a 400 mile race, what preparation will she be given now?

How many more races and at what distances?

[Natural]

Hi Peter, enjoying reading about your methods.

Did you let cocks and hens up together on your training toss?

[Natural]

Saturday Morning and was into the loft first thing and checking droppings after Fridays cabbage and all was well so with the temp at 10c and virtually no wind I set about readying the birds for their first toss of 2016.

After basketing 41 Yearling's and Late Bred's with any flights wonky being steamed it was off to the 20 mile mark for a lib about 12.00 hrs as I have taken note off Greenlands observations that the Peri Bassas are at the nest site from 11 till 13.00. 20 birds beat me home and that was that until they started turning in singularly the rest of the afternoon and I finished up dropping one that had been well raced as a youngster. I have to say that I believe they had hit other batches heading West as quite a few came back from that direction high up and sailing down without a care in the world. To-day they were given a warm bath and a salt block to lick on and are looking the part. If the weather holds I will have them at 30 miles on Tuesday. As they are handling so well body wise I will keep them on 20% Barley 80% mix for another couple of weeks..

Changing the subject I thought the derogatory remarks regarding John Quinn's illness by a so called "human being" absolutely disgusting and he should be shunned by all..

[When To Pair Widowhood]

One way to go about it is pair up in the first couple of weeks in January. When the youngsters are 12-14 days old remove the hens along with one youngster from each nest into the young bird loft, leave a youngster with the cock to rear. 18 days before your first race repair them so they're sent to the first race sitting. Remove the hens on race day before the cocks come home, let the cocks sit the eggs till they chuck them in then, they're on w/hood from then on in The benefits of doing it like this is you get a settled loft, all laying their 2nd round of eggs normally within a day of each other. Short training tosses can be given whilst driving then trained further whilst sitting.

[When To Pair Widowhood]

One way to go about it is pair up in the first couple of weeks in January. When the youngsters are 12-14 days old remove the hens along with one youngster from each nest into the young bird loft, leave a youngster with the cock to rear. 18 days before your first race repair them so they're sent to the first race sitting. Remove the hens on race day before the cocks come home, let the cocks sit the eggs till they chuck them in then, they're on w/hood from then on in The benefits of doing it like this is you get a settled loft, all laying their 2nd round of eggs normally within a day of each other. Short training tosses can be given whilst driving then trained further whilst sitting.

 

I like the sound of your method.

Thanks

[When To Pair Widowhood]

Buy yourself a copy of The Widowhood Year by Dave Allen. Take your time over the Autumn / early Winter to read it and take it all in. This will be a great reference book for your library. By the time late Winter comes around, you'll be well fixed to have formulated your own management system. OMO.

Thanks for your advice.

I'll keep looking on Ebay & Amazon. At the moment I've seen people wanting between £45-£75 for a second hand copy.

[When To Pair Widowhood]

Hi,

I know it's a while off, and people are concentrating on young bird racing but any advice would be much appreciated.

When would people advise pairing up old birds to try to have them inform during June.

I'm planning to rear a round of babies, then split when sitting 10 days on 2nd round then put on widowhood.

I only started racing old birds in 2014 and raced them on natural. I fancy giving the widowhood system a go in 2016.

Cheers