peter pandy

Andy can you play LA VITA NUOVA ta.

Travelled in a sykorsky once in 1986 and did not feel comfortable with that mode of transport. In 1988 I was asked to report to Aberdeen as soon as possible as a chopper had went down carrying workers in from a rig. I did not really fancy rig work as there is no where to go if something seriously goes wrong but was assured the rig I would be going to was as safe as houses as it was an established one. I still knocked it back and their but for the grace of god I remained at home. Oh yes the name of the rig I was to go to Piper Alpha.

Put it on as usual when basketing it works.

They say that bad luck comes in three's !!. Saturday my worst race ever - Sunday was bitten by sons dog - Monday Man Utd beaten. LOL

I have 7 from 16 only 5 on the day from Appleby 113 miles racing with the Midland Fed on Saturday. This race has turned out for me to be the worst race for returns I have ever experienced in 55 years. The answer to me lies in the fact I was refusing to train them due to the barometer reading 982 for the past 3 weeks and temperature never above 9 degrees at 100 ft above sea level. The long range forecast a week ago to-day was for the wind to continue from the N.E. into the foreseeable future which prompted me to give the 34 bird race team 1 toss at 25 miles last Wednesday with 2 missing. It was with amazement on awakening Saturday morning that there was SNOW covering the Ochil Hills at 300 ft so had to assume the same for the Southerland Uplands " Beatock Etc ". I can only congratulate those in Scotia with excellent returns but unfortunately I presume their will be a few like me.

Have used straw as deep litter since the 70s. Advantages - The birds love to lie on it especially when the sun shines into the bedding, They pick and scrape it about eating dry droppings which are full of prebiotics, It creates warmth and helps dissapate moisture in the air and they have never encountered any disease due to what I believe is a stronger immunity build up. Disadvantage - Takes me a couple of hours to clear and change the straw after the moult once a year.

As I posted earlier D.E.F.R.A. would only test for PMV and give the all clear.

Half yis havnae goat a "scoobie doo". [clue]

If DEFRA is involved I sincerely hope they have changed their methods as I have experienced involvement with them when birds were going down like flies they only and I repeat only tested for PMV as they were not concerned in finding out what the cause was. My own feeling was that Baytril injected by a previous manager had killed the immune system and left them totally defenceless.

Thank-you one and all for your added opinions however as Da12 asked "did I not see the birds being attacked"? On many occasions YES on others NO. You have to understand the loft location was 1000 ft above sea level so cloud level was on occasion only a hundred to 150 ft above, Perigrene would skim in and out of cloud making it extremely difficult to spot and for the birds to ascertain if danger was present. On occasions when their was no cloud cover the perigrene was so high you would be very lucky to have your eye focused to its height and distance due to it being only a dot in your vision. I personally have had to dismiss the heat theory due to birds racing on really warm summer days but never panting on arriving home nor do I believe its respitory,canker or any other ailment, however I respect your opinions and beliefs as this is what knowledge is all about.

Did anyone read the article in the daily newspaper that putting ant powder down for ants is killing the small bird population that eats the ants says the RSPB. thats the next thing to be banned no doubt.

The answer to your problems is in your medicine cabinet "Germoline New Skin Liquid Plaster"

I had never seen this problem till I went to work for C.J.Williams in the Cotswolds. Loft 1. The birds would execise for no more than 5 minutes and I assumed it was possibly unfit birds however handling told me differently and I booked an appointment with Garry Spavin taking a basket of the worst offenders for his perusal and tests. All proved negative so I decided to keep them flying for an extra 5 minutes per day whilst I fired off a shotgun at every attempt to land on the loft. The gaping stopped after the 1 hour of excercise was reached say a fortnight of forced flying and the problem never recurred mind you I had the shotgun with me at all times to ensure the 1 hour excercise was reached and maintained. I had to assume that it was respiratory and I had cured it. Loft 2. Last week I put a folding down chair in the loft and a bird managed to put 1 foot between the chair legs and was trapped upset down for a couple of hours. When I released it it started gaping for 2 days solid which brought me to the conclusion that gaping is stress. Back to Loft 1. It never occurred to me that we were plagued with Sparrowhawk,Peregrine and Goshawk making the birds stressful on every occasion they were out excercising and with the forced excercise gave them the confidence to stay in the air. The shotgun certainly played its part. Whether I am right or wrong confidence not medicine is the cure !!.

Stress !! Will give my conclusion shortly.

AYE

" SPOT ON "

No you ya dumplin me and the mrs fur *expletive removed* sake

Andy I owe you one, Got a kiss and a cuddle "could be in for a treat to-night" LOL

Perhaps I have been a little scarce with information so will rectify ! Loft 1. Birds out every day during winter months and flying no longer than 5 minutes before landing and gaping ! Loft 2. One bird in loft gaping !. Different lofts and environments. By the way every reply so far was what I had assumed to be the problem.

Could someone please do PLEASE STAY by "The Crying Shame". The Mrs would be obliged.

What causes pigeons to gasp as if they are trying to breath with their mouths agape and throats trembling ???. I would be obliged for theories before giving my opinion on an experience.

A horse weighs 1/2 ton = 17 thousand 920 ounces. Pigeon weighs 15 oz therefore dosage is 1 thousand 195th of the dosage for a horse. Simple aint it. " NOT "

Wednesday and Thursday I had 8 not wanting to come in till almost dark which was unusual however I noticed the K.P. index was double the normal and there could be the problem. ?

If the bean has a hole the weevil is out. The weevil lays an egg when the bean is growing in the field and eats its way out hence the hole.

The perfect film to help us in our war against RSPB.