Jonnyboy1

Thanks for that Yeboah Take care, John

Thanks Redcheqhen, I hadn't seen that thread yet. As far as I can tell we're not permitted to race, group train or show pigeons at the moment but I don't think we've been advised to keep the birds locked in yet. This is of course different for poultry keepers who have been advised to keep their livestock permanently housed for now, as far as I can see. I think pigeon men will benefit from the increased biosecurity until this H5N8 event has passed but until SHU or the Government tell us to keep our birds inside I think we are permitted to loft fly the birds for now? Warm regards, John

Good afternoon all, Thanks for your response Kyleakin but I'm not sure that Racing Pigeon fanciers have been told to definitively keep their birds in yet. The guidance, as far as I have read it, appears to relate to Poultry and Pigeons bred for meat. I think racing pigeons are still allowed to fly around the loft? The statutory requirement to report '5 dead birds' also seems to relate to wild birds? The last 2 winters I have had about 7 or more young birds go down to 'Young Bird Sickness' in the Autumn/Early Winter and I have not reported it officially as Racing Pigeons are well known to naturally succumb to an unnerving 'cull' of birds with weaker constitutions in Autumn/Winter. My personal thoughts are that the birds who come through Winter have enhanced immunity. I also feel that as Racing Pigeon Fanciers routinely treat for Canker, Coccidiosis, Worms, Lice and PMV that Racing Pigeons are probably low to very low risk of passing on diseases to other avian species. My question is should I be keeping the birds locked in? Has there been any recent official guidance for Scotland about this? I'm a District Nurse and currently trying to help finish off the routine vaccinations for Influenza in our patients before awaiting the expected pressures of the vaccination schedule for COVID 19. We need clear guidance on whether to lock our pigeons in. I don't favour this approach for the obvious reasons that keeping livestock in restricted housing, unless we are able to 'up the ante' in terms of cleaning/sterilisation, is likely to concentrate transmission of disease. In my personal experience I am less inclined to spend time cleaning in the colder weather unless there is an obvious issue - e.g. YB Sickness Can anyone clarify if we should be locking up our pigeons in Scotland? Kind regards, John

Hi All, Have been reading a few documents tonight that you may find interesting: 1) Scottish Goverment - Avian Influenza Protection measures (11/11/2020) https://www.gov.scot/news/avian-influenza-protection-measures-1/ 2) Scottish Government - Avian influenza (bird flu): how to spot and report the disease (11/11/2020) https://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu/ and 3) Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Rapid risk assessment on incursion of H5N8 HPAI into housed or not housed poultry flocks and captive birds (09/11/2020) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/934683/rapid-risk-assessment-on-incursion-of-HPAI-H5N8-201109.pdf 4) Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Risk assessment on the likelihood of spread of H5N8 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza associated with racing pigeons (Published March 2017) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/599998/qra-avian-flu-racing-pigeons.pdf My question for this evening is are we being expected to keep the pigeons locked up just now? Any advice or feedback will be gratefully received. Warm regards, John

That's all the birds gone to 2 fanciers in Fife. Warm regards, Jonnyboy1

3 Roland Janssens (2 cocks (2019) and a hen (2020)) - all Grandchildren of Champion Rode Bingo (Pedigrees available). 2 Frans Zwols based and one unknown pedigree (well bred). Feel free to PM me for more details. Regards, John

Thanks. Sorted. John Druggan

Hi, This YB came into my loft last evening and again this evening. If you can let me know the owner I would be grateful. Regards, John

I've spoken to Kenny and he's arranging to collect this pigeon. Regards, John

Thanks. I'll give them a call tomorrow. Take care, John

Had been hanging around my garden all week before coming into loft last evening and again this evening. Very thin so assume must have been lost a wee while. Has eaten well last 2 days and seems to be in good order. If anyone can tell me how to get in touch with the owner I would be very obliged. Regards, John

SU20P871 as the title says is the ring number. As the text says the other number is the rubber race ring ???????????????????????

Came into my loft last evening and again this evening. Life ring on (L) leg, white race rubber ring on ® leg number 8147. Reported to SHU last evening - no response yet. If anyone knows who bird belongs to can you let me know. Regards, John

Thanks for getting back to me and explaining. Understand now. Sorted. Regards, John

The Bird belongs to McCormick and Hughes from Uddingston. I spoke to Mr McCormick this morning. Cheers, John