MsPigeon

I have cats and they usually mind there own business. But they do look at the birds and appear as though they may be stalking them from time to time. Like Bruno says, I think there always is the possibility of them reverting to their killing nature. I just always yell and hiss at them if I see them stalking them. And like someone else mentioned I have had to take a cat or two on a 30 mile toss, near some dairy farm or likely place for good home in barn. Thats because they learned to trap and kill. I have not tried this, but I always heard that if you take kittens in the loft and put them near a sitting cock that will give them a good wing slapping, like Linda did her dog, it is suppose to help train them to leave the pigeons alone. But I think your always taking a chance and just need to keep an eye on your cats and get rid of the ones that don't work out. Carol

They banned smokeing in ALL public places in Washington state.

I agree, leave them, but would add you could put the youngsters on the floor.

;DHAPPY BIRTHDAY FRANK ;D HAVE A GOOD ONE, JUST ONE, NOT TWO OR THREE ;D :K)

Four in our club, two are 13, one is 11, and one is about 8. the important thing is that they have their parents involvement, or they won't be able to stick with it. Thre of these Jr members have a parent or grandparent in the club the other just has a very supportive father that brings him to all the meetings etc.

It is on the syringe. 1cc is about the same as 1ml. The vet told me they are so close to the same that you could use cc and ml interchangeably.

Is this creosote you use the same stuff they use to treat wood, like fence posts, the part you put in the ground? If it is they have banned it here where I live, WA, USA. Can't even buy it anymore. Not sure I would want my pigeon breathing it, it smells pretty strong even after years in the ground! I know I think it sure smells! :-/

Live and learn as they say. All these experiences will teach you and others here something. Thanks for shareing. I must say that having individual breeding pens take much if not all these problems away. Best to band them when it is snug to get on Snowy, then you don't have to worry. Yours in the sport and better days! Carol

Great! Idea Astro!

Would this type work for checking pigeon droppings and throat swabs? I think about 100x is the most used magnification for this. I think probably the normal microscope w/light is all I need too Ray. What brand is yours and what magnifications do you use the most?

Hi Dave, We start racing in mid April too. But I will start training as soon as I can as nice days are few and far between here. So if it's a nice day and I have time, I will start soon with road training. As for my critters, I just mean my pets, critters being a nick name for creatures I guess. I have 4 dogs, 5 cats, 6 goats and their 7 new kids, 13 head of cattle, 1 turtle, tropical fish, ball python snake, canaries, geese, peacocks, guineas, chickens, ducks, and last but NOT least pigeons. I think thats all... Carol ;D

I have never used droppers either. I have used the flagging method as well. Linda does flagging replace any road training in your system? e.g. You don't have to road train as much? Funny about the red shirt ;D

I always thought that a bent keel was caused from a poor nest, not enough nesting material and the keel, as Bruno said is soft catilage and becomes bent from being pressed against flat bottom of nest. ???? Also heard it can be hereditary. ???

Good Luck Linda, Can't imagine you nervous about talking pigeons! Your so outgoing and a GREAT credit to the sport. I also joined the USA Forum, give it a try, there aren't many on it yet. http://www.exit201.com/racing/pigeons/index.php? Carol

I will send a bird! Carol

When does your OB season begin and when will you begin training?

I have been wanting a microscope for years and YEARS and looked at them and then didn't get one and looked again l. Now I'm looking again prompted by the advice and excellent help from the book "The Flying Vet's Pigeon Health & Management" by Dr Colin Walker. It says in his book that an iluminated one with a 10x eyepiece and 4x, 10x, and 40x lenses is sufficient. Anyone else have any advice, suggestions or remarks about this.

Geez Slugmonkey, you must have pigeons coming out your ears. I thought you already had several lofts and 100's of birds. : ;D Now there in your garage too! ;D ;D

Too strong on the wing before they are first let out, overfed before letting out, and usually scared off or lured away by passing flock, anyone or combination of are the cause in my experience.

Just wanted to mention that I have tried a couple tips from this thread this year while rearing and REALLY like the results I'm having. One is Purina Green label Pigeon Pellets. It took some time to get the breeders to eat them but when they started pumping to their babies it helped and the babies look wonderful and of good flesh and feather. The other thing I tried was the milk in their water. I started off using it in some of my individual breeding pens after they hatched but found that to be too big of waste as they needed chaged daily and there are 25 pens. But I use it in the water in the YB loft after they are weaned. They seem to really like it and I have to fill it twice a day as they prefer it to the plain water. The YB's are all very healthy and growing nice and no set backs at weaning time.

WOW ! Johnnysfarm, it's been a very long time since I've seen you here. I often wonder how it is going for you and your family. Have you started racing yet? Did you race YB's last year?

I prefer popcorn type over dent corn. Dent corn has an open end that tends to grow unnoticable mold that is bad for the pigeon. Popcorn has a closed end and is not as likly to grow any molds there. The pigeon also seem to prefer the smaller size, especially YB's.

It's hell when everyone knows your a year older huh? HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

I have one of those type too Snowy, always the last to be caught. Coincidently it's what I call a seagal splash, similar to Westy's penguin.