Mike Lycett

Hi.. Would have to check me book, but going off memory I believe that the Gamba Tabs also control ingluvitis, whilst Gambakokzoid doesn't. Also, the fact you can drop a tablet into a particular pigeon's mouth without buggering around with the rest of the bunch means its a very useful tool to have in the cupboard. I'd certainly recommend their use. We've found them handy in the past, & I'm sure we'll find 'em handy in the future too! COME ON YOU BAGGIES ! Mike

The pigeon of Maddison's is without doubt a cracker - 24 carat gold. However, the 2005 RPRA Sprint Champion of the UK is "Scarecrow" by Donnelly Bros.. PHENOMENAL PIGEON. Same pigeon was 3rd UK Sprint champion in 2005. Wins against over 20,000 birds on all winds. WHAT A RIP SNORTER !!! Mike

Sounds like 24 carat cocci to me to be honest. Why just her and not the others? Maybe she's a bit more run down feeding the babies than the others? Maybe her immune system isn't as strong.... I'd take her away from the babies & let the cock finish them on his own. He'll be fine - he'll do it. Give her 4-5 days on her own, then Gamba Tab her Mike

One of the best partnerships of all time in the Midlands. TOP CLASS !

WE#re not confined to the loft at all Rose - I'll find out Mike

Square Peg By and large I think you're right. However, there are some distance families for love nor money just will not win at 100km irrespective of how you feed or train. By the same token, I can find you plenty of pigeons that won't handle 14 hrs on the day. They've either got it in their armoury or they haven't. Mike

Pleasure's all mine Carol ...

Rose Rest assured I'll continue Rose. I've been around the block so many times i'm lapping myself !!!

UNC can't go to Folkestone 'cos there's a race meeting on that day they wanna race Mike

I'll be buggered if i'm gonna read the Avian Flu thread - 30+ pages. I aint got the time, will, nor inclination to go wading through pages. I had information which I thought SOME people MAY find of interest, so I put it on. If it don;t suit, then don't read it - I'll sleep tonight no worries! Boing Boing Mike

Hey Bruno All I said was a pigeon in Romania had been confirmed with having H5N1. What the hell is your problem?

23 Febr 2006 (Romania) Deadly H5N1 virus confirmed in a pigeon in southeastern Romania The deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu virus was confirmed in a pigeon found in an isolated part of Constanta province in southeastern Romania. " This pigeon was found dead in a field, a few kilometres from Topraisar where bird flu was detected on February 14," the agriculture ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. The highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of the virus, which can be transmitted to humans, was first confirmed in Romania in mid-October 2005. In recent weeks, it has re-emerged in five villages in the important tourist region of Constanta on the Black Sea coast, bringing to 33 the number of Romanian villages affected by the virus since October 2005. — AFP The deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu virus was confirmed in a pigeon found in an isolated part of Constanta province in southeastern Romania. " This pigeon was found dead in a field, a few kilometres from Topraisar where bird flu was detected on February 14," the agriculture ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. The highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of the virus, which can be transmitted to humans, was first confirmed in Romania in mid-October 2005. In recent weeks, it has re-emerged in five villages in the important tourist region of Constanta on the Black Sea coast, bringing to 33 the number of Romanian villages affected by the virus since October 2005. — AFP

Bruno I aint no faint heart. I've just "been around the block". I know how the world DOES work, and how it SHOULD You've even got Ken Livingstone bleating on about pigeons and Bird Flu now!

I voted no racing

Biggest Thrill : 4 times we've sent 1 pigeon in a race and won it. Gets no better than that for me

In the past I've made youngsters drink when they were parted if I hadn't seen 'em drink. Not any more- if they haven't got the sense to sort that one out then they're on a sticky wicket

Dunno really In 2005 we sent 7 cocks to the one race against 2245 birds and had 6 of the 7 in the top 15 of the Fed - that was a good,fair race, (NE wind). The week before we were 1st,2nd Fed about 1 min 30 secs clear of 3rd Fed against 3285 birds - completely against the wind. My favourite was maybe having 9 cocks go through the door together when I was on my own timing into an STB in 3 different sections. They were 2nd, 4th, 6th, 9th etc against 9531 birds. If my brother hadn't of been on holiday they'd all have been in the top 12.

Dave Moreo ften than not we only show bowls on a Friday - especially the first 4-5 races. As the season progresses we start to use the hen - its fresh & new to them at this point & it increases the desire & motivation. In the past, we did exactly what you did - no more than 90 seconds. Nowadays, I put all the bowls in, let the cocks have them for 5 minuteso r so, then put the hens in. When all the hens are in I go in the house, have a cup of tea and write the sheet out - popping up every now and again to ensure all ok. We find by leaving the cocks longer, that they settle better & every one of them will be calling in the bowl etc.. We do watch as well though for treading activity. Last season when Houdini had his 5 week spell of 11th Fed, 2nd Fed, 1st Fed, 1st Fed and 7th Fed he only had his bowl on every occasion. I was too scared to do anything different with him! Cheers Mike

Diamond Dave To be honest, thoroughly diagree on the "treading" front. Our first birds home are always those that choose to tread on a Friday - takes the stress outo f them before basketing. We used to stop 'em treading, but found out by error that it works so we let 'em do whatever they want now. Contentment is paramount. Regards Mike

Nowt but clean food & clean water for 72 hrs prior to basketing. Too many birds are offered stuff they do'nt drink properly & this just brings on dehydration that bit faster.

Diamond Dave Best way is to not know nothing about it. Beern there, done it go the T shirt. A good bird is decided by what's in his head & what's in his heart & you can tell neither with an eye-glass Mike

Rose Indeed they did & do. That has no bearing on it at all in terms of whether it should be rolled out to the Fancy. Most Regions are against it. How do we know this? Simple, Dad & Mom go to all the region / Council meetings where its discussed ! Look at Scotland as a classic example. They've had all sorts of problems with it up there. The Letters page in the BHW has been full of it for years.

I've seen nothing from no-one yet as to why the RPRA should implement it. Progress? Undoubtedly. BUT AT WHAT COST !!!!

Will be our first go in it in 2006

MCC looking at Guernsey. Costs 62% more to go there than Picauville though. Get yer backsides ready for Portland !!!