REDCHEQHEN

Your answer isn't an obvious one - no - if I was looking after somebody elses birds I wouldn't expect to have to lug a gallon of water round with me nor would I I therefore wouldn't expect anybody looking after my birds to do that either

little red 'worms' in the water butt darting about - don't know what they're from but probably one of what you have mentioned

We have a water butt in the garden - we water the garden and hanging baskets with it - thats all its fit for - you want to see the 'creatures' swimming about in the water - the water comes off the roof and gutters - so even if they're scrupulously clean - there will still be 'undesirables' in it as wild birds aren't bothered where they drop their droppings

Do you give your birds a mixture of vitamins that only you know? Ready prepared multi-vit, but do use other preparations that I prepare myself If so do you have a specific or special way in which you prepare it? Yes but is prepared on a daily basis when I feel its required How do you prepare your birds for a race, special food/vitamin mixture, lucky charms etc? There is a bit of a routine ritual on basket day, they are fed a mix that I prepare, which can be changed to suit the race conditions, there are no ‘lucky charms’ except I did buy the OH a horseshoe for Christmas which is above the loft Do you go through any specific routine in readying the birds for flight? There is a specific routine yes On the Saturday while waiting for the bird, do you go through any routine in anticipation? Loft prepared – and lots of cups of tea drank Is there a lot of anxiety, and what do you do to calm yourself if there is? Lots of anxiety - Make a cup of tea (evil) Do you socialise with the bird, read the papers with them, talk to them, play music to them etc? Spend a lot of time with the birds, music is played nearly every day of the week, there is a mains powered radio in the loft – which is left on during the day, turned off at night, mainly so the cocks can’t hear the hens calling

Just OK ? Its glorious sunshine t-shirts and shorts weather (hehe) (evil)

its on their web site in powder form - so might be in the bigger stores

There are a few manufacturers - I use 'Natural' (Natural Granen) You get it from the corn store

I use the polythene / plastic 4 pint milk bottles - even though I'm behind the house and have an outside tap - I like the water to stand over night

You're an argumentative b*gger this morning Got out the wrong side of the bed? Take your caps lock off - and chill

http://www.pigeonnetwork.com/articles/index.cfm http://www.vpu.co.za/articles/colin_walker/index.htm

maybe people weren't using it as they should do - and discarding it after opening it - instead of using it weeks after it has been opened don't believe all you read

if unopened and within its 'use by date' there is no reason you cannot use it it hasn't been banned

You can try e-mailing the british unions to see if the bird is registered with them - they should get back to you fairly quickly by e-mail strays@rpra.org nehu@nehu.co.uk or the Belgian union nationaal@kbdb.be Give your own details: name, address and telephone number

My first race is 55 miles - but they still have several training tosses

And according to the messages - topped the Fed from Beauvais with the bird he said was going to win - that was 2007 (Consett Fed is in WDA) so that should be in last years WDA hand book

Click 'More post options' - then 'BROWSE' and look for the file on your computer - then click on it and 'add'

http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/Easicanker-pack-of-10-sachets/productinfo/EAS10/ Hyperdrug's Easicanker - is the same as Emtryl and is in foil sachets for easy dosing - one sachet to 2 litres of water - treat for 5 days (10 sachets in a pack)

Baytril is a 'last resort' medication for life threatening conditions - there are many medications on the market for canker and cocci look at: http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/Pigeon-Pharmacy/products/308/ their own brands are good and reasonably priced - also fast delivery Very poor advice b.massey

Bringing back Cancer smears for the Under 25's which hopefully will save lives IN THIS COUNTRY - and highlighted by Jade Goody RIP Jade

I paid just £14 for a 8-10 bird basket at the Natural Breeding station in Belgium last year - a lovely basket - and an absolute bargain - if you know anybody going to Belgium and I didn't buy a single bird to put in it !!

they're cheaper on e-bay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Chick-Dispatcher-Chicken-Hatching-Eggs-Incubator-N_W0QQitemZ220377021286QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Birds?hash=item220377021286&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683%7C66%3A4%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

I stand corrected (evil)

it's expensive seaweed

I don't have a selection procedure (shrug)

my house insurance covers outside structures (shed and loft)