peter pandy

I worked on an estate and nobody within 5 miles and that was my nearest neighbour so I obtained 5 gallon pheasant drinkers and 100 kilo hoppers and left them for 16 days, when I RETURNED EVERY THING WAS OK so dont listen to the so called fanciers who would not as much as cross the road to help you out with advice.

Did not believe I was being complicated Del especially during the moulting season as the good fanciers give differing oil bearing feed to enhance the feather quality which ordinary feed lacks. Teas and Naturaline adds dimension regarding vitamins and minerals through their ingredients as the feathers are renewed and a heavy protein mixture ensures the bird does not deplete its reserves of Animo Acids..Birds out to-day after a three day confinement saw them away running for about an hour with the exception of the older ones who were quite happy to splash about in the bath.

Tea is served 120 minutes before Dusk all year round.. Nae doughnuts just plenty Beans and Toast, with a bit of Cheese for afters.

With the moult progressing well and the differing stages in individuals with some completely bald and others a picture makes for feather gathering on every visit with the hoover, I am sure we all have different ideas at this time of year and I give mine Naturaline and Sedochil every day either in the water or on the feed with Brewers Yeast mixed in, Linseed every day and Tea on a Sunday has them to my satisfaction with lovely feathering, Baths every other day with a couple of drops of "T" Tree Oil keeps the feathers clear of lice (tip from Tiger) and plenty fresh air keeps the dust down in the loft and out of my lungs.

Back in January I decided to close off the 1" gap at the back of the loft so went and purchased expanding foam filler and with it being a windy day started from the outside, Not giving much thought as to the nest boxes on the other side I continued to empty the aerosol can but could not figure out why it was not really closing some of the gaps. On entering the loft It was a mess with foam expanding everywhere including on some of the birds. Now that stuff just does NOT come off feathers and a couple could not even open their wings resulting in me having to cut feathers away to allow them movement. All is now well as they have moulted them out and although they were incapable of any extended flight the long lay off means I have a couple of 3 year olds for next year. With a nice team of 30 July Late Breds they are starting to run when out in the morning which is something I have always encouraged and am sure its a learning curve for them, although, there are differing opinions on it. Each tae their ain EH...Oh aye,I am back on the heavier feeding again after going through my old diaries.

As a Vodaphone customer since 1987 I took out the entire package with them , Mobile, House phone and internet £28.00 which includes free 59 minute calls to any provider. So far the service has been excellent and £50 cheaper than Virgin etc.

Having regained control of my body again and finally getting a good nights sleep instead of the shakes and loss of muscle control I do believe I am finally off the Tramadol for good. My faith in the Human Race has been restored with the help given on repatriating one of my birds which ended up in Northern Ireland, liberated Northampton with the SNFC three months ago, Firstly Gregor McEvoy who reported him then contacted John Millar a truck driver who delivered him from Ireland to Mr Dalgliesh in Dumfries where our Dal2 "Stevie" went and picked him up then had his Daughter deliver him to me at Herriot Watt University car park. To you all THANK YOU. When I put him back into the loft he went straight to his old nest box and turfed out the incumbent who had moved into his territory, You honestly would not think he had been away for a couple of months.

Count a couple of us in frae oor area Del.

Sam was one of my dearest friends for many many years and to read of his passing has filled me with sadness. He along with George were responsible for many of the things we take for granted within the sport in Scotland and Sam has left a legacy we can be proud of. Until we all meet again Rest in Peace and condolences to the family.

Many thanks for the good wishes on my 71st. Wee Mary and I with the twa dugs Jack & Jill had planned to picnic at Loch Drunkie in the Trossachs however Low Cloud which is typical Scottish weather brought that to a halt and our day to-gether was abruptly abandoned in favour of a return home with immediate family for a wee shindig..

Many Happy Returns Pedro, :emoticon-0123-party: :emoticon-0123-party:

The loft has been like a burst pillow this past week with the moult seriously starting and I am now giving the birds Sedochol from Merca Systems and they have all been dipped in Ambush from the same company as I have always been off the belief that next years races are won at this time of the year. If they dont have the means with perfect feathering then you are disadvantaged, Linseed and Hormoform are also included in the high protein feed and rationing is not in the curriculum, Winter feed will be introduced at a later date to remove any excess fat and now my wee brother has joined the competition will give me the impetus to improve my lot although his ammunition is twice the size of mine, Just for those who have made previous comment lately I can reveal that he introduced a team of proven Sprint youngsters from England which revell on the Darkness system and they were the ones which returned Fed positions for him not the stock which is 500-600 milers ""Inverted Commas"". Much has been learned this year and my regret was not waiting a further year and feed which was not conjusive to distance racing in my opinion and may have been a factor in the losses incurred by not having enough in the tank, I am only stating MY opinion on past methods where most birds returned from Distance racing BUT they were fed for it through experience not what the Manufacturers of feeds want you to feed boosting their profits by cheap bulk ingredients. The old saying "if it looks good it must be good" does no longer wash with me..

Some at 65Ml, some at 85Ml, and some at 110Ml. Total losses on average about 20% But you dont lose many after that unless you keep them going when into the moult if you are silly enough to send them..

I used to train youngsters about 12 tosses out to 35 miles and still had losses come racing so gave it up and do not have any serious losses other than the ones you were PROBABLY going to lose anyway. I emphasize ""probably"" because no one can guarantee what will make it home.

On the subject of Tap Water !, When I went to work for C.J. he insisted the 40 Gallon drum be filled and agitated, leaving for 24Hrs before use, I told him that it was my usual procedure for years and he stated it was a tip he recieved from Bernard De-Weerdt on an earlier visit years ago, I have also noticed that there is a Chlorinated smell from the water we drink although friends have never noticed it and at times is stronger than normal !! Perhaps they dont associate it as other than normal. In the house all our water is filtered through a Brita Kettle which knocks out all the crap. By the way Steve well done on another great season doon there..

Pail filled, agitated and left open for 24Hrs Andy, Have done it that way since the Seventies when working in the Phamaceutical Industry where we used either Distilled water or agitated mains water.

Life this past couple of weeks have been extremely harrowing with health problems which came about when a twin double glazed window fell on my pinkie finger and I never felt a thing although it swelled up, I thought it strange until it dawned on me that the Tramadol [Opiate] pain killers I take had to be responsible !! So I have been on cold turkey since with the resulting withdrawel symptoms associated with the s/h/i/t. Sleepless nights, twitching limbs etc, but am determined never to take them again and 262 Hrs have passed since, but who's counting. To keep me occupied Wee Mary has tried to keep me busy with moving furniture around and had to include our 180 Ltr aquarium which obviously had to be emptied before moving, [it still weighed a ton] and after refilling with water I read the instructions before introducing the inmates. It surprised me that fresh tap water would probably kill the fish as the Chlorine in the water would destroy the Bacteria in the gut making them susceptable to infection.. Ringing any Bells regarding YBS.. Perhaps Fred from Mastrick club could enlighten us further ??.

Third race for wee brother and after a 24Hr Hold Over he was 1,2 plus other positions in the club and 3rd,4th Fed plus three other positions dropping 22 from his 55 away. Last Wednesday when he opened his loft the floor was awash with the dreaded YBS so that is him finished for the season and being the optimist that he is his attitude is "well it was fun while it lasted and I have not a bad team for next year". Fourth race saw 2 members sending 12 Birds !!!!!.

The late Andy Durning [Lanarkshire Race Controller] would never have liberated in such a strong wind..20 MPH was his limit for youngsters. Yesterday was gusting 25-30 MPH..

Done.

Midland held over at Tow Law.

At the end of the day I thought the scc had folded with nobody talking about it and the combine always had my priority before I left Scotland. Please be assured that it will have my support from now on only IF they go themselves.

Aye David it was in the 90's and the reason I know was because my Dark Cheq Cock flew into this guys loft along with one of his and he kept it in as he won the Combine with his one. Let it out 2 days later with a note on his leg and when I phoned him he thought it might have been a local bird. Bassa.

32 Gram = 4,5,6. last time I bought them frae Countrywide.

David, You dont have a SCC race if you are with another organisation !! In the past we had a Yearling Derby on the same day as SNFC Nantes and our 515 mile race was always 1-2 weeks after the Gold cup and when the Combine started going with the Cheshire Combine life became extremely difficult if your bird was left on its tod flying the last 200mile itself and even worse when the SNFC started going with the Midland Nat and birds were left with 300 mile to do single up. This of course is only my opinion. All I ever seem to read about is COSTS and we cannot afford to go ouselves well put the entry fee up and its solved Jings some folk on here dont mind buying a beer at £3.50 but want to fly their birds for nowt.