Roland

One must remember too the reason why Buessart was so unpopular... He bought strong from Delbar when no one would touch his birds.

If there is such a silver lining I feel it maybe that you will have time to get a new set up going and a few youngsters to race next season. All the very best to you Jimmy, you're a true 100% gent.

First part realistic common sense... the second part real gem. That has to be in your case the number one option. Many the ole timers that add to , or replace their' stock / racers do exactly that.

And a lot of the blame now lays at Thatchers door, and quite rightly so. With her constantly pushing Privatisation, and removing, and / or lesssening 'Watch Dogs, and 'Bodies that the investors, etc. were governed by, she effectively gave them and her a freedom to do as they like with no restrictions or accountability.

Thrush is the same as Canker. About 28 different strains Known. Gets very quickly immuned to any remedy. HENCE why one should trea differently after the 2nd treatment of any.

Reckon that that is the best remedy that will work Vic... Go else where. Nothing will reduce costs as much as the 'Lose of Sales'. Mind in a cartel they are nigh all the same within pences. Have to check out the local farmers meslf too soon.

Stick a grid up on here then Dovescot. See if it is removed or accepted by Richard and co. Personally my hope, belief, that good reports will far far outweigh any not so good, let alone bad.

Jan Zyanotta from Gretton won a 250 miler with a Fantail cross. Had performed well in previous races... Had heard of such the odd time before. But of course in reality that is a bone numma. MAY indeed take up them fine offers above. Closed down two sections to store the wood and coal. Bought in bulk while I thought I could afford to ... or not not be able to later lol Still have thre sections, and a new - nigh complete - stock loft, airvery is now complete, just need the boxes placed and raised upon a firm standing. Will have 12, and four boxes over. Doubt if I'll every get 12 pairs though by a long chalk.

You know, I often like the idea of having a few fancy birds, (Feathered sort of course lol) Did do for a spell as a kid, and again when first married in 68. cat problems put paid to that... but didn't know then what I know now. As a lad, when father was racing, us brothers had Tipplers, tumblers etc. and throughly enjoyed them. But dad was adament that you couldn't do bother, nor mix the fancy one up. With only a really small garden I guess it would have been awkward to say the least. If ever I packed up racing, I'd deffinately have Fancy and tippler / rollers / tumblers etc. Toy too often with the thought of getting another set up for them. Thought of turning me work shed into a split sectional loft.... But agian I suppose it brings out the part of me that is a Pigeon lover, Keeper as to a real darn win at all cost racing man. I just love to se them peck up every day of the year in the garden. hawks, and even now sometimes cats, are a pain of course in that regard. Are whimsical thinking, wishing eh!

Any way, just how far is Stoke from you?

carefull now Dovecotes, Am thinking of nipping around Scotland again this year again shortly, just to see how the natives really strive / sorry live, and if it's true like lol Would call at yours for a wee dram, and too see who can spout the biggest lies and gain bragging rights lol.

Well mucker, look a lot like mine. Mine are only between 12 and 15 inches square. about 18 inches deep. I keep moving the nest bowl foward a inch every other day so that the nest bowl is at the front when the birds are ready to go down again. Just place another bowl then at the back.

Pigeon Tracker wrote it! I couldn't have put it better myself. I for instance had a Loan bird off Allbear. Costs and whatever meant I delivered it myself. I was standing in for a mate on a courier firm. Alan abided his time, and we got the deal done 260 miles or more EACH way. I have some birds to collect from Alan. Could have gone to - day, but it fell through last minute. My avery is done, an 1/2 day and the stock loft will be done and complete. If not possible for my mate to let me do the day when we go Bristol soon... I will pick them up myself, most likely will soon any way. Why?. Because, I grantyou I really appreciated Alan's knowledge and understanding. Have a graet but oh so too short stay with him. Indeed if another offer I made comes of, I will be seeing him and his club members. But in mean time, within the week, I shall drive over 500 miles to pick up some birds (Hopefully). Yes I can make time. Yes it will be more expensive than a courier, But I shall be more than compensated by spending a little time with another fancier. I'm not into disrespecting other couriers regardless of the merit, what I am into is getting it across to people that creating a false sense of panick amongst people is the wrong way to go. If people are to be so concerned with cross contamination then quite honestly not one of us would put a bird in a race and that's pretty much a fact. I along with a thousand others complained like hell when Amtrak got away with thier antics and now I see people constantly having a dig at couriers (some deserve it btw). If people are that concerned and so distrustful of couriers then surely they should be jumping in their own cars and getting their own birds, that way they could blame no-one else but themselves. Sorry guys but it had to be said, there are some of us out there that are working damn hard at getting it right for everyone, it will take some time and its only been 5 weeks or so and we're getting there. Work with the courier and you'll get the service we all deserve even if it takes a little longer than we all want.

Marks out of 10 please. Son have a 'Pigeon Data Base' with comments and score, good bad etc. Hope Dovescot is noting... bet he could put a 'Table' up on here. Under Couriers, where one logs their name. Company, then marks out of 10, and comments at end. Soon have a good overall view I reckon. Remember there can't be a 10.

Golly Chris, are you implying 'One Swallow makes a Summer'? Or more like from one line you draw a universe eh. Let's hear a bit more from the FIRST poster, and then ask the couriers what's what and why, and then relate to facts accordingly. Golly Taffy's just had another leg of beef!

Aren't we jumping the gun a bit here! Haven't seen a post back yet, let alone whether he is on line yet. Golly don't need much rope to hang a few on here does it! Personally I'd like the full particulars before I casted stones around.

First time I started up, had 24 given me via a fancier that was giving up. March the 10th. First race was 19th of April. Race whole program North and South. Finished up with 17. Would have been more, but he pulled his loft down a mite too early, and hadn't sttled 3 or 4. One came back every year for three years just prior to the first race.Mated, he raced through to Lerwick, and dissappeared just after till next season. Obviously had two homes....

Must make a chart here I feel. Five / six / 7 columns or so, NAME: COMPANT / BRILLIANT / GOOD TO GREAT / FAIR / POOR TO BAD / COMMENTS Can't put up the grid... Not as clever as Dovescote in this regards.

Very true... So go to the local games eh. But as for fishing, again mate next door spends over a £100 a throw to match - fish one day! Me, an ole wheel and a 8 foot cane. A few worms / spiders or a mouse if hungry. Costs, next to nowt. Catch! Every bit as good... But miss a few bites. Pigeons conditioned same chance if manager is good enough!

The main part is a 'Dry Loft'! Freshy air in costant supply and good feed. The birds first need then is the feeling of their 'Home' being safe! Then it's contentment of the birds. Need to set you're stool out as to a 'Regular' system that suits you. Remember not every bird will like your set up. Don't change anything for them.... only for you. Ones that don't take will fly off the top, or home late regularly regardless of you altering oat 'Mid season'. Reducing a perch / Nest box is far better than adding one. Most alterations best done at end of close season. Pigeons form and like, repsond to Habits. That is the simple basics. Alter them as much as you like, when chage them! Not a rocket scientist mentality needed. AT the best place to observe is when out, on the roof tops. Many spout never to allow them to do that ... Well you must instill a habit first off if any hope of doing that. Next best times are Early morn, dropping under their perch. And just before day's end under their perrch. They should be different. Tempretures, feed change droppings. Good luck.

hee he he tee te hee lol ;D ;D ;D

Best way is able is simple build the loft. Place water and a little feed in it. Fetch the new birds and let them feed. Let them out. Fetch them hungry the next day. Very quickly they will leave their old loft and come to the new one for feed etc. on own accord. Birds are only every any good if broken withi days. No matter how mant times you fetch back, let them out every three days if possible.

can't beat it....e mpty the loft and saturate it in. A month later when well dry, return the birds!

I will also say two other believes of mine. One, regardless of what distance one wishes to fly, you need good reliable DISTANCE birds for a sound foundation of any loft. Further, as I often tout, too much incest breeding, and far too many doing it without a jot of a realisation of just how it is done and why! That to me is a very real reason why the basis of 'Homing id weakened I believe.