Peckedhen

Just take care that she doesn't get the thread tangles around her toes - it can stop the blood supply and cause terrible problems.

Great minds think alike Wayne77

I think that its a good idea to give her toys. Pigeons are sociable and, as you have discovered, inquisitive creatures; in the absence of others to interact with her, the toys will interest her and may help to stop her becoming bored and lonely. You could try putting a mirror in with her.

Looking great, how long ago did you pair? I paired 12 days ago and only two pairs have laid....I guess the cold weather isn't helping matters.

Going into a school as a vistor should be OK and you should not need CBR clearance but if you intend to keep going in, say weekly, then you will need it. I think that it is great to get youngsters interested at a young age. Pigeon racing can be tied in with the curriculum in many ways: Geography- flight paths, Maths-distances, velocities, weights, ++cost of feed, numbers produced breeding etc. etc, History- pigeons in wars, Science - life cycle of, looking after animals, what living things need, RE - Noah...... Oh, I could go on and on.....yes, you guessed, I used to be a teacher!! ;D ;D Well done you, good luck. Sue

OK - smaller than racing pigeons - happy now?

:-/ Are you collecting white pigeons? You joined today and already you are claiming two white birds here?? :-/ Oh, and welcome to the forum.

Is it your bird Lee? :-/

Hi Billy, I hope that 2009 brings a big improvement in your health. Why not treat yourself to a little laptop and get someone who knows how to set it up wireless for you - then you can stay in touch on the forum. Sue

You can buy the bird netting by the linear metre - google fruit netting. Probably not a fine enough mesh for covering louvres Josh. I bought some galvanised mesh from B&Q to cover mine after I read mice can get through a 1/4" gap.

Yes, worked fine. Just make sure the holes in the netting are fairly small - I don't know if your friend has garden fantails? Mine are considerably smaller than my pigeons; they easily squeeze through the bars in a nest box.

Mine was fruit netting from garden centre. You could have had it but, unfortunately, the mice got to it last winter and chewed it to bits. :-/

Happy New Year to all. Let's hope that 2009 is a healthy year for us all. Sue

Hi Dawn and welcome to the site. It is indeed a lovely story, Miss Willis was very lucky that you found her. Sue

When they are young, before they can fly, I put them out on the landing board one at a time. They hate being out on their own, they can see the others in the loft and they drop straight in. After a birds done it three times, I consider it trap trained. Obviously you need to watch and keep an eye out for predators.

Happy Birthday Jack.

Scroll down Ted, its on the right of your screen, under the Google ads.

C'mon bird man of meath, what do you intend to do with the eggs?

Does the OP mean to put them back under the hen that laid them? Will they sit on the eggs though if they are taken away so long? Would they know they are theirs? :-/

Sorry to read you're not in the best of health Ted. Hope that you make a speedy recovery and have no need to sell your birds. Sue

;D ;D ;D

Never heard of Peace and Goodwill to all men, Asha?? Sue

Merry Christmas one and all. Sue

Ooh, it's a hard choice....each and every egg hatching is a delight but, it is also a thrill to have them arrive back when I have taken them away from home. The downside for me is waiting for them to come back, I am 'on pins' till each and every one is safely back in the loft.

I would get her in a crate on the top of the loft for sveral days so she gets a good look all around. I'd teach her to trap by pushing her through three times then wait till she's paired and on eggs before you let her out. You may still loose her though, is it a risk you want to take? You are unlikely to be ever able to race her even if you manage to break her.