hannigf

Thank you Tooshy, is that a telephone number? 01698330931 ? Francy.

Hello, SU08L19068 This bird came into my loft at least a year ago. I always expected he would leave in his own good time but he has stayed. I would like to see if he can race for me so I would like to trace the owner and get some info on him and if possible transfer him if the owner does not want him back. I live in the Derry/Donegal border in Ireland and I am told this is a Scottish ring. ( I am fairly new to pigeons) Francy.

Thanks bigda I am aware of the 'Catflap' but what I want is the birds to stay in till I get there so it must be a latching device. Often when I arrive they are out and I want them in. Francy.

Hello, I am looking to find an automatic or remote LATCHING device for my loft hatch. My loft is not at my home and it is very inconvientent to have to go back to the loft each night as I work shifts. If I had a timer device where a little bolt/spring device activated on a preset timer I could set it for just after darkness each night. Is there a product out there I can use or has someone else came across this problem? Francy.

I am looking for the number of John Millar to have 6 squeakers delivered from Lancs to Ireland. Thanks, Francy.

Just starting to brighten up here in Donegal. Yesterday was lovely here and I sat outside and fed the birds some peanuts that had crushed to little bits. What a pleasure, and could feel a little heat in the sun. Feels as if SPRING has SPRUNG. Francy.

Something is eating my birds. It primarily takes the head off and eats on. He ate a full 3 week old bird who's nest was on the ground. When I left a posioned carcase it would not touch it. I left a rat trap with food in it, but it does not touch it. It seems to only go for the live bird. Most of the birds are sensible enough to get off the ground and seem OK but I can only assume that the ones on the ground are scared or transfixed at night and won't get off the ground. Would a weasel or mink eat everything or at least kill everything on one visit? I still have not ruled out a large rat but he must be very smart. The pooh left behind looks like a large rat dropping. What might it be and how might I get it or defend the loft. Francy.

I am looking for a book called 'WINNING NATURALLY' by Alf Baker. Would anyone have a copy they are finished with or which I could buy, beg, steal or borrow. Francy.

I often thought that buzzards may be a help to pigeon fanciers but was afraid to voice such a thought just in case it proved stupid. If all so called birds of prey have a fixed territory that they hunt exclusively I would rather have my area covered with buzzards. I can hear these birds from miles away with that high pitched scretch, I see them circling very close to my loft but they do not bother the pigeons. Would buzzards drive other birds of prey away from their territory? If so I would start a breeding program for them tomorrow if they would help keep away the dreaded sparrow hawk and perigrine.

I must appoligise again for my ignorance but I've saw and read articles where people say they gave their birds a bath, perhaps its on a weekly basis, perhaps when they return from a race. Do they mean they pick up the birds and dip them in water or just leave out a basin of water? Do people have their own methods and additives? Francy.???

Frank, thanks, I really do want to know what 'Wet Feeders' are. francy.

I am a novice and there is much I do not know. I am just reading a pigeon book and the interviewer asks the question 'Do you move squabs from under WET FEEDERS? I get the impression that this is a problem, but what is it? Francy. P.S For those of you who are really up to speed it is the great Brian Denney who is being interviewed. A test for everyone then; Can anyone tell me What is the title of the book?

Anto, he sounds like a really good bird. Where do you live so I can come round and try to coax him back to my loft. PS just joking, I'm sure you will get him back.

Owen, for the absolute novice give me the rough basics of the 'BULL BREEDING' concept. Francy.

Johny, I got it from our local supplier of birdfoods, lawnmowers, gardening tools etc. Francy.

As a raw recruit I read a message on wet droppings last week. I was pointed in the direction of it being coccidisos ( forgive my spelling) I went and bought a little bottle of Codix for £7 and followed the instructions ie removed all water but the treated water for 24hours. I am amazed at how quickly it worked. The droppings have firmed up considerably. The culprits were 3 new birds to my loft. Two I had given away some weeks ago to local lads starting out and another I was given as a gift. So this site is of great value to the likes of me. P.S thanks to Kev 43 for explaining how to make a new post. Francy.

Sorry for interupting, I am vey new to this game. How do I pose a question to the general audience? Could someone print the step by step method.

I bought the powdered garlic in Lidel for a few bob. Just add a little to the drinking water. I only do this because some people swear that it is good for the birds.

My experience is that allowing them to nest on the floor gives problems later. I have just had a beautiful young bird killed by the male of a pair I allowed to nest on the floor. The older bird considered the floor was his territory and the young bird did not have the sense to get away. Francy.

Strange, I am very new to keeping pigeons, I sent my first ever birds last week to our local fed for a 30/ 40 mile toss. The birds staggled home much later than my neighbours birds, but they did arrive, well nearly all. I had 3 missing at dusk and reluctantly closed the loft. Next morning I could see one bird on the roof and when I got closer I could see it was hit under the wing but not too bad. Later on a second bird arrived, and while it was eating some much needed food it was bleeding from the keel on to the floor. The third one never got home. Surprisingly a week on and they are are as lively as ever but I am restricting the two injured birds to immediate vicinity of the loft. Francy.

Hi everyone, I hope i am not totally mistaken but is the a book titled 'Road to Rome' or something like it which is on the subject of pigeons? Francy.

As a total novice please advise me. The darkness system delays the young birds losing their flights so they are in prime condition for racing in July. Is this the reason people shut out the light?

Hello all, I too am a beginner. I read somewhere about painting a 'CD' in the shape or colour of an eye to deter hawks or prediditors. Could someone give me more information?