Peckedhen

Yeah, that's fine if your loft is in the back garden but not so easily done if the loft is some distance away.

Interesting photos Roamer 1. Are these your birds?

Only if it has a whiskey added - but I now that someone's going to say that's the way to ruin a good drink!! ;D ;D

Advertisement in BHW but there are none left now.

It may have been coincidence, but yesterday I put multi vit in the water and it never froze, whereas it had on previous nights. :-/

Thanks Beautyhomer. Maybe nexr year.

Does anyone know if the show at Clitheroe Auction is still on this weekend albeit with no birds? :-/

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Nice one!

What a beautiful bird. Snowy, you could try contacting the National Pigeon Assocation: http://www.zyworld.com/NPA/ They maybe able to give you a list of breeders.

In my area there are a lot of allotments which are not being used. Many of the plots have abandoned sheds on which could easily be made into a loft, the cost for one years rental is £20. If members of a racing club could make contact with some young people - possibly through a youth club and offer to help a group of kids set up a loft or two, maybe some would get 'the bug'. Cost needn't be an issue. My neighbours wouldn't want pigeons being kept but, I have white 'doves' and so have no objections! ;D

Sorry Snowy, I missed your latest photo - lovely young bird. I'll try to take one of my latest birds and post it for you to see. Peckedhen

I second Bruno's advice. I did this and have made new friends who have been very generous with their time and advice. I cannot believe what a friendly lot fanciers are. The downside is, that there are so many different ideas and opinions that it can get a bit confusing to a newbie. It goes without saying that this is a great forum for help, again, a whole bunch of very generous folk!! ;D

Are these shipping boxes different to the ones we get free from Amtrak Linda?

Thanks Paul, Will fit in loft but too far to collect. Will bear in mind though.

Please can you tell me the length of the pair and whereabouts you are ? Thanks.

I'm not racing yet but, I would be asking the winning fancier if he would breed some birds for me and if he would talk to club members of how he thinks he is achieving his success eg, system, loft management, feeds and additives etc. - (says she who knows absolutely nothing about it, but surely the winning guy wants some competition - it cant be much fun to just keep on winning!) :

Just using loft white, scrape every day but don't disinfect as I don't want to wet the loft!? :-/

Did you join the RPRA yet? In their information pack they send a great booklet - 'Racing Pigeons' by Guy Barret which explains how to go about it. I've found it more helpful than anything I've read so far. (Apart from on here of course! )

I've never noticed it getting damp but I have just kept the pot it is in topped up - I'll throw and fill in future. It smells of aniseed and they throw it all over the floor so I'm not sure how much they eat.

I have been giving my birds an unlimited amount of grit but have just read that this can result in loose droppings. How much grit should each pigeon have each day please? :-/

Glad it wasn't just me who was confused - I sent a PM to the Webmaster so I didn't appear too stupid! ;D

Yes, I do love my birds but, given that Bruno has given me plenty of sound advice in the past and having read Silverwing's post above, I think that I will stay with my decision. (Bit like deciding whether to have the kids injected with MMR! :) I do have a friend now who has offered to vaccinate my birds when he does his so, the cost is not an issue.

Never, as per Bruno's advice.

Good one Wynmore, makes me laugh every time! ;D ;D ;D ;D

Does this kill any bacteria or mould Speight? I use bird peanuts as those for human consumption are expensive. I'm having second thoughts after reading this thread. :-/