Roland

I have the aviaries open all the time. The hens and cock birds can see each other all the time that they are out. The showing has quieten down a lot of late. Don't think, certainly not at present any way, that any same sex are interested in each other. Mind I feel that some will be paired of in the race season and flown as such. Indeed may even slip good eggs under them, or a youngster. JMO.

Just four member alone sent nigh 300 y/b's per race last season, and many more at home to counteract so called losses. ... into a very small area. Plus others making quite a few. Some - like me 15 miles or more the wrong side of the wind, and drag find it a mite disheartening. But not really bothered. But when these flyers say that they are combatting losses! I think most are swamping and breeding culls, and maybe 'Win at Any Cost'. Quality not quantity still prevails at the distance and hard races in the Old bird season.

PIGEON HEALTH ALERT Numerous cases of an undiagnosed fatal pigeon disease are being reported in many pigeon lofts east of the Mississippi and in Europe. Literally thousands of pigeons of many different breeds have died; show breeds and racing homers among the hardest hit. It has not been detected in feral pigeons as of yet. Lofts are reporting 50-75% losses with hundreds of losses from individual breeders…as many as 800 pigeons in one case. The Schools of Veterinarian medicine at the University of Minnesota, Michigan State, and University of Pennsylvania are all currently and actively investigating the disease. Avian influenza has been ruled out, although it does appear to be viral in origin. Typically, the diagnosis has been difficult because of the potential for secondary infections. The symptoms vary widely. Some birds may appear to lose their appetite, quickly lose weight, and die within a few days. Other, apparently healthy birds with good body weight die suddenly over night. The route of transmission is unknown at this point in time. The best way to prevent the disease right now, with the relatively little information available, is to sharpen your loft management procedures, and above all, avoid contact between your pigeons and pigeons from other lofts. It is best to avoid trading, buying, selling, showing and racing pigeons until more is known about the disease. Use 10% Chlorox or Virkon S to sterilize drinkers and feeders, update your worming routines, and keep your lofts clean. Vaccination against PMV and Paratyphoid is recommended, as it may stimulate the pigeon’s immune system in the event of contact with this disease. There is no treatment available at this time, so plenty of clean food and drinking water is about the best we can do. Part of the problem incurred is the reluctance of some pigeon breeders to divulge the fact that they have a disease in their lofts. Please report any such occurrence to me or to one of the three universities and your privacy will be protected; especially if an occurrence develops in lofts west of the Mississippi, although its spread seems inevitable. The Universities are actively recruiting sick birds or birds that die suddenly for necropsy from lofts that sustain heavy losses. Please do not send in the occasional death of an individual pigeon from more common diseases. This would be of no help. They are looking for lofts with heavy losses that are unresponsive to medication; vaccinated (PMV and Paratyphoid) or not vaccinated. If anyone has flocks of feral pigeons nearby, please monitor their roosting areas to see if you can detect and obtain any losses among the wild populations. Dead birds that are sent in should not be frozen, but should be sent in a Styrofoam container with frozen water bottles to keep the carcass cool and minimize tissue damage. Jerry Cagne at Foy’s Pigeon Supplies in Pennsylvania has been hit by the disease, has as much knowledge as anyone at this point, and is writing an article for the Purebred Pigeon magazine and the NBRC Bulletin, as well as others. The Presidents of the NPA and the American Racing Pigeon Union have not come out with any statements, just yet, for fear of causing widespread over-reaction, until more is known. As was stated earlier, preventive maintenance is the best strategy at this point. Additional information will be forthcoming as it becomes available. Special thanks to Cam Datanagan for his input and for alerting us to the progression of this potential pandemic. -Cliff Ball NBRC Director at Large

A new gadget in the war against BOP: pigeons (2/25) exercising with blinking lights. Preliminary tests have shown this to be an effective method. Is like a red disc on back. Can't / aint able to put up the photo though. personally I don't think it will take of as not all would fit them, Then many would fear that it could slow them down, and would want to give any advantage to any fancier not using them.

Best all round strain has to be still the Bussearts. They will fly any distance! Of course systems of what the fanciers wants play a part.

Used to be a Big team .. A mob flyer nigh

Easier for a more accurate percentage. Round 100% or 200%

Great singer... Not my kind of music though. One who had natural Charisma and talent stage wise and blessed with a great singing voice.

Yes I.B. understood. BUT the main issue here ISN'T in regards Peregrines BUT the Bird Flu! So it should have stayed under Bird Flu. Further down the line - if branching away fro the topic, then have a sub setting etc.

Great! Thanks.

Just why is it re - moved? The very act is ridiculous? The fact is it was in regards Birds Flu. So are we to have umpteen sub heading now? Wasn't so long ago when there was a palaver about posters opening up 'Sub Headings' etc. AND quite rightly so!

A good read. There is a very good write in the BHW a short few years back .. 2004 or there bout. 'All Alone' (or was it 'Home Alone?) was the star flying as he had answered 'What Wind would you like'? Answers was 'On the Nose'. Which Home Alone' got. Also on here: http://forum.pigeonbasics.com/topic/57360-victor-hugh-robinson/

Looks good.

Good golley, remind me where they maybe playing ... so I can give them a wide berth lol Mind to be honest I couldn't under stand a wee word of what was spouted.

Yep. Any excuse and the French will stick it to us I'm afraid.

Was on a farm at 12 onwards in school times. Drove so much from them days onwards. Never took a test till aged 43, well didn't have a license mostly lol. Failed the test. Too many bad habits. Took lessons then... Instructor said ' You are a good driver, and well safe ... Now to lose and control the Bad Habits'. Said most learn them, and how to drive AFTER they have passed a test. :emoticon-0127-lipssealed:

Come on Georgie1234, he is only warming up, a bit early, to wage abuse AND excuses for poor returns / losses etc. lol :emoticon-0136-giggle: Just joshing .... I think that brigade is well equipped 24 / 7 lol.

I think it would bode well for us, if as fanciers and Poultry Keepers, took on board any come backs that might occur if we, as the U.K. were seen to be selfish and uncaring at a later date in regards of how we went about, and will be viewed in the wake of the Avian Flu.

News Update December 13, 2016 Avian Influenza in Animals Austria (HPAI H5N8) The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has reported additional cases of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza virus in the state of Vorarlberg. A total of 19 wild birds were found dead; the diagnosis was confirmed after testing by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety. Zoning has been put into place, and the source of the outbreak has been confirmed as contact with wild species. Denmark (HPAI H5N8) The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reports cases of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza virus among wild birds. A total of 22 birds of various species were found dead in 17 separate events distributed across the eastern (Zealand, n = 13) and western (South Denmark, n = 4) areas of the country. Control measures include movement control, disinfection and disinfestation, traceability, stamping out, surveillance, zoning, and official disposal of carcasses, by-products, and waste. The source of this outbreak has been reported as contact with wild species. Finland (HPAI H5N8) The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reports new cases of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza virus in the Ã…land islands and the southwestern archipelago. A total of 9 peacocks in a zoo died of the disease, and the remaining 28 birds in the group were culled to prevent further spread. Wild tufted ducks were also found to have died of the disease in the southwestern archipelago. In addition to culling, other control measures implemented include: movement control; screening; traceability; stamping out; surveillance; disinfection and disinfestation; and official disposal of carcasses, by-products, and waste. The source of this outbreak is unknown. France (HPAI H5N8) The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has reported a new case of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza virus in the department of Haute-Savoie. A wild gull was found dead at Evian on November 25, and the disease was confirmed after testing by the National Reference Laboratory. Farms in the area will be contained, have extra biosecurity enforced, and will undergo a veterinary check-up. Additional control measures include screening, disinfection and disinfestation, stamping out, and official disposal of carcasses, by-products, and waste. The source of this outbreak has been stated as contact with wild species. Germany (HPAI H5N8) The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reports additional cases of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza virus in the states of Bavaria, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Sachsen-Anhalt, and Schleswig-Holstein. A total of 60 wild coots, ducks, geese, grebes, gulls, swans, and birds of prey tested positive for the disease after being found dead. Control measures include: movement control; screening; disinfection and disinfestation; traceability; quarantine; surveillance; stamping out; zoning; control of wildlife reservoirs; and official disposal and destruction of animal carcasses, products, by-products, and waste. The source of these outbreaks is unknown. Hong Kong (HPAI H5N6) The Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department (AFCD) reports that a total of 4 fecal samples have tested positive for highly pathogenic H5N6 avian influenza virus at the Mai Po Nature Reserve. The samples were collected at a “gei waiâ€, a traditional shrimp cultivation system over a span of five days. The initial set of three samples were identified as being from northern pintails. This is the first detection of HPAI H5N6 in Hong Kong since last February. Cleaning and disinfection have taken place, and the AFCD warns people to maintain good personal hygiene and avoid contact with wild birds. Netherlands (HPAI H5N8) The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reports two outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N8) in Noord-Holland province: one in De Waal, where 5 Eurasian wigeons were found dead; the second in Durgerdam, where 1 Eurasian buzzard was found dead. Vaccination is prohibited in the Netherlands as a matter of policy. The cause of this outbreak is unknown. Romania (HPAI H5N8) The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reports that highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 has been detected for the first time in Romania. On November 23, a great cormorant was found dead in Constanta harbor, on the Black Sea in southeastern Romania. This is the same day that a mute swan was found dead 300 m away; the swan also tested positive for H5N8, but the OIE is treating these two occurrences as separate outbreaks. Control measures are in place, and include movement control inside the country, zoning, screening, official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste, and control of wildlife reservoirs. This same region has had a history of HPAI H5N1 infection. Serbia (HPAI H5N8) The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reports the first ever outbreak of highly pathogenic avian H5N8 in Serbia. Six mute swans were found dead in a natural park near Kovilj, in the Vojvodina province of northern Serbia. Control measures include surveillance within containment and/or protection zones, control of wildlife reservoirs, and zoning. Vaccination is prohibited. The cause of this outbreak is unknown. Switzerland (HPAI H5N8) The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reports two outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N8) in Switzerland. The first was in Lake Biel, near Täuffelen, canton of Bern (northwestern Switzerland), where a mute swan was found dead on November 28. The second was on December 12, in Lake Lucerne near Stansstad, canton of Nidwalden (central Switzerland) where a tufted duck was found dead. Control measures include surveillance within the containment and/or protection and zoning. Vaccination is prohibited. The cause of this outbreak is unknown. Tunisia (HPAI H5) The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reports an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 in Ichkeul Natural Park, near Bizerte Governorate in northern Tunisia. On November 24, 17 common coots and 13 Eurasian wigeons were found dead. On November 30, the laboratory of the Veterinary Research Institute in Tunis confirmed the presence of H5 virus in the samples taken on the animals. Control measures include movement control of wildlife reservoirs and surveillance within and outside of containment and/or protection zones. Vaccination is prohibited. The cause of this outbreak is unknown at this time, but is thought to have been carried over by migrating birds because Tunis is a main migratory corridor for wild birds. Avian Influenza in Poultry France (HPAI H5N8) The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reports 8 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 in southern France, in the towns of Almayrac, Monlezun, Lacapelle-Segalar, Beaumont sur l'Osse, Monbahus, Ibos, and Eauze. The outbreaks occurred on November 25 (1), December 1 (6), and December 2 (1), and all involved duck farms (except for one unspecified poultry farm). All ducks on the affected farms were destroyed, and a 3-km protection zone and a 10-km surveillance zone have been implemented around the affected farms. Other control measures include screening, disinfection/disinfestation, and traceability. The outbreak was caused by contact with wild species. Hungary (HPAI H5N8) The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reports a reocurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 in poultry in Hungary. New outbreaks were found in 24 sites in two provinces (Bacs-Kiskun n =21, and Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, n=3), and includes both commerical farms and backyard flocks. In total, 10,050 birds were killed; an additional 38,230 were destroyed. The source of the outbreak is inconclusive and control measures include movement control inside the country, disinfection/disinfestation, traceability, stamping out, official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste, surveillance within containment and/or protection zone, zoning, and vaccination is prohibited. Iran (HPAI H5N8) The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reports outbreaks of a new strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza that killed 1,148 commercial layers at 2 poultry farms in Tehran. An additional 248,834 birds were destroyed. These outbreaks were detected during ongoing avian influenza surveillance in the region. The outbreak was confirmed through laboratory testing and necropsy. Control measures include ongoing surveillance, screening, disinfection/disinfestation, quarantine, stamping out, official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste, surveillance within containment and/or protection zone, control of wildlife reservoirs, and zoning. Vaccination is prohibited and there is no treatment of affected animals. 523,000 birds in a 3km radius of the farms with negative test results were slaughtered as a preventative measure. Surveillance will begin outside the containment and protection zones. Israel (HPAI H5N8) Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 were discovered by the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry at poultry farms in Be’er Tuvia, En Zurim, and Kibbutz Revadim. All three outbreaks are in Ashkelon district in northern Israel. Two farms raised turkeys and the third raised “heavy†breeders. The Ministry is working to eradicate the virus from each site. Officials are monitoring the area. Samples from chicken coops in a 10km radius of the farms have been collected for testing and officials encourage breeders in the region to keep flocks inside. Japan (HPAI H5N8) The government of the Prefecture of Aomori has confirmed a second outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a duck farm in the city of Aomori. The new farm is located only 350 meters apart from the index farm and both are run by the same company; the first experienced mortality on November 28 (reported in the previous AI news), and the second on December 2. All 4,800 ducks have been culled at the second farm. Poland (HPAI H5N8) The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reports an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 in Deszczno, Lubuskie Province in western Poland. The outbreak occurred on December 1, when about 700 geese were found dead on a farm. The number of cases rose to 1,201 by the end of the outbreak, and the remaining 638 geese were destroyed. In addition, a 3-km protection zone and a 10-km surveillance zone were implemented around the affected farms. Other control measures include screening, disinfection/disinfestation, traceability, stamping out, and official destruction of animal products, carcasses, by-products and waste. This is the first time that the province of Lubuskie is affected, Poland had previously detected the HPAI H5N9 virus in wild birds in West Pomerania province in November. The outbreak was caused by contact with wild species. Russia (HPAI H5) Three outbreaks of HPAI H5 are reported in western Russia: two outbreaks occurred on November 23, in backyard poultry flocks in the Republic of Kalmykia; the third occurred on December 8 at a commercial poultry farm in the adjacent Astrakhan Oblast. The poultry farm "Harabalinskom" has 10 layer sheds and 4 breeder sheds. 5,100 birds have died in Unit 7 that has 54,360 layers in total. Unspecified control and preventative measures are being taken. South Korea (HPAI H5N6) The South Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs reports that as of December 8, highly pathogenic avian influenza has been found at nearly 100 farms in the country, and about 5.8 million birds have been culled at 161 farms (some of which were unaffected by AI but culled preventatively). The OIE issued a new report on December 2, detailing 6 new outbreaks that occurred on poultry farms on November 21 and 22. Control measures are in place, and include movement control inside the country, screening, disinfection / disinfestation, traceability, quarantine, surveillance outside containment and/or protection zone, stamping out, official destruction of animal products, official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste, surveillance within containment and/or protection zone, control of wildlife reservoirs, and zoning. Avian Influenza in Humans There are no human cases of Avian Influenza to report this week. Avian Influenza News Archives

Actually it is man made on purpose. The Bush junior and Rumble stilskin (his hoppo) sold their Oil shares to finance it. Further they got the senate to fork up £8 billion dollars to. then sold worthless anti dopes at $200,000 shots at a throw, Blairs government , like so many other bought colossal amounts, FOR a remedy that only slowed it down, became dormant for a short spell. The U.S.A. were took to the Helsinki courts and found guilty, and fined etc. The USA then closed every loop hole so that in future that couldn't be again. Hence why they are STILL trying to take the U.S.A to court with their follow up 'Swine Fly. Google it! Actually Bush jnr and Rumpole supplied the worthless anti dope and made more than their OIL shares! While you are at it read some of these: https://www.bing.com/search?q=avian+flu+deterent&form=EDGTCT&qs=PF&cvid=46bf2f0b919b4cd3b086f882a6933553&pq=avian+flu+deterent U.S. Government Stockpiling H5N1 Vaccine If Needed The United States federal government maintains a stockpile of H5N1 vaccine.

lol http://cottagelife.com/news/albertan-man-calls-a-1500-pound-bison-his-best-friend

http://www.shuonline.co.uk/index.php As Peters says. Some, I fear, need their' back side wiping for them lol :emoticon-0136-giggle: Just scroll down... If any one is stuck as to what that means, or how to do it, I'm some on here would be only too glad to help. Just joshing

Join the club lol. Most just want what they want and if that means misinterpreting so be it lol

One thing for certain, and yet again proven, is the fact that we don't have the slightest inkling of how the homing instinct works. Let alone what it is! Every thought from the Magnetic fields, to the Sun, smell etc. etc. has been proven to be irrelevant.

Good post I.B. and Ian.... Yet still many, in fact far too many, want to interpret to suit own ends. No wonder no 'Body' in any concern, let alone 'Joe Public' take us serious. We cry out for justice and OUR rights whilst tramping and showing disregard for any others'.