peter pandy

Have done that in the past and she will sit and feed as normal overnight as long as the Cock knows she is about their is no problem.

I used to laugh when I worked for C.J... There was an Owl and Hawk trust station a couple of miles along the road where they bred the Bassas, and when ready for release into the wild they always let them out in the field next to the lofts where I do believe they thought they would be well fed..I used to catch them sitting on perches inside the loft complete with leg rings.. You can always tell when they have been bred in captivity as they have no fear of humans !! silly fools.

Talking to a local fancier over the drive gate this morning as the dogs had a notion of removing his foot from his leg and as he is waiting for a kidney transplant felt one operation at a time is sufficient, However I digress, The topic was ! Why are we so stupid as to start racing in the winter as it still feels like spring has not sprung and when looking at the trees they are still bereft of leaves and should we not be looking at starting racing when the weather is more acceptable. Perhaps their is a valid point here and when reflecting on "why" I came to the conclusion that at Fed AGM's all programmes are decided on National dates with nothing else being considered for discussion. The fact is that the majority of Scottish fanciers are being ruled by a minority ie, 800 Nat members and their race programme against a couple of thousand fanciers who have no notion of joining the National. When looking at the BICC Programme they have 2 Intenational and 1 National the last 2 weeks in July with an any age race in the middle of August. It is obvious the seasons are changing and perhaps we need to do the same.. All my Hens are down on eggs now so I am quite pleased at the way things are going in the loft with all laying within 4 days and peace should be the main stay untill hatching occurs. Should the weather improve and temp hits 12c I will start training the Yearlings and Latebreds which were given 2 trainers at 20 miles last October and with the birds out most days since they should be in fine fettle.. Wee Mary and I wish to thank those who sent "Good Wishes" on our Anni and power to John's scraper arm..Oor muscles have softened ower the years !!!.

Without seeing the youngster it reads like it's splayed and if so it is unrepairable. This is a common occurence with single reared chicks I am sorry to say.

Aye its been full fur days Wattie.

I had the same problem last year and after numerous phone calls recieved it 2 days before racng started from P.J.Mills

Flatter to deceive George or express admiration for swindling ? Sorry but I cannot get my head round that one..

Tae get them fit !!!! More birds are lost at 20 miles on the first toss because the wings cannot propel them due to fat and lack of muscle tone. How would you feel if you were locked in a room for 5/6 months then asked to take the dog a walk ? you would be knackered after 200 yards and looking for a bus tae tak ye hame..

Half the hens have now laid with another 12 nests being built so they could all be down to-morrow. which gives me a 4 day window if I wish to switch eggs around should any be clear. I have continued to add 20% Barley into the mix and will only change to pure mix with extra protein in 12 days time. My way of thinking is that should give the birds time to produce top quality milk to start the young off in the travel of life, Not being a nutritionalist I go with tried and tested feeding rearing methods of the past which has stood me in good stead. You cannot make a silk purse out of a pigs ear !!..

Apart from Lanarkshire is any Scottish Fed sendng more than 2,500 birds.

Agree with Derek morning and night 15-20 miles for next seven days.

Aye they certainly look the part John, Hopefully you have not encouraged Blind Pugh into your loft with his Black Spot..

Both Mary and I are very happy that we have brightened up your day after the loss of old faithful as we know what it is like to lose that which gives comfort when handling !!. AS it is our 49th wedding anniversary to-day we are hopeful of carressing our gluteus muscles or just the thought gives us both pleasure. Dream On LOL..

P.S. Being a ""Pro"" gardener I have a top of the range secateurs..

Started off with a good length John but when I tried putting them into nest bowls they went straight across and would not bend down so I tried 4 inches and it was easier. I have to say that when the birds picked up longer lengths they placed them round the bowl but at the moment I have my garden carrier full of 4s but next time we are over I will cut at your recomended length. I do know they are definately beter than any other nesting material I have used and cheaper since it costs nowt LOL.

Well I was not replaced on 4 estates so that is 30+ a year

Ran out of marsh grass for nest building so the wife and I had to go and cut more for them. I have to admit it is the first time I have used this material and find it excellent although the wife says I have to watch the shears as I nearly had her hand off when chopping it. Quite pleased the way they are going to nest and another couple down this evening and its only on the 7 day mark, Hopefully all will be down on the 10 days and will make life easier.

Corticosteroids ?? Are they not a banned substance in racing pigeons. For goodness sake if you go down that line.Will say no more.

Aye Del but his brother wont have Cocci etc to bother about..

Cider Vinegar + Garlic a couple of times per week 5mls per 1 Litre from "flytesofancy".

One of my birds ate a slug pellet and was dead the following morning. It is a pity we cannot feed them to the Bassas. ??????? Think on.!!!!!!

I have already given that a bit of thought and as yet nothing is set in stone. But my problem is that this is a young team I have introduced and wish to give them as much time as possible to bond their homing ability and love of loft. My good lady say's, at my age I must be patient and am not sure in what context she meant !!!.

If the truth be told Steve I could not wait for racing to start and like you loved every race regardless of distance. Perhaps if I had a larger loft I would have paired Yearlings early so not to miss the start but as I dont I cannot.

George, I had a phone call from Turnberry Air Traffic Control asking me if I could please refrain from flying my birds too high due to a near miss !! So I have complied with their wishes and gave the birds a rollocking with dire consequences if disobeyed. So they told me to go forth and multiply but they forgot that I am the one who pays the piper and they now fly at a more sedate pace and lower now the girlfriends are with them LOL..

Clairvoyancy Stevie ! I wish I knew what I was going to do next ?? However I am not interested in averages any more as you can waste good birds chasing a trophy, No I have a good barometer at the loft and take temp and hygrometer readings every day [ I even put them in my diary ] and with the temp under 10c I wont be training air quality rarely below 90 is still too damp and could give the birds a harder time training than I would wish at this time of the year. But good luck to those who require a lift early racing can give. The other thing I intend to do is send to the Y/B Nat with birds bred off my Yearlings and late breds when their distance is up to prove again that you dont need darkies for it. As all my birds are bred down from Long to Extreme Distance winners so it is a waiting game and although I am 70 in a couple of months I just have to hope the big man upstairs will give me the time to complete my mission.. As regards pairing up I have a notion that as we all know that birds eat more in cold weather so when rearing young in winter months they are probably overfeeding the youngsters to the extent of rearing a bunch of fatties. Yes I can see that statement will put the cat amongst the pigeons as the saying goes "Food for thought"....