FoxesFan4Ever

Hi all, Thanks for all your answers and suggestions. I finished work at 4am this morning so it was just about dusk when I got home so I figured I'll have a go at basketing them while its dark(ish) Worked a treat, I got 26 birds into 2 baskets in 4 mins and only took that long cuz a couple were sitting on a basket and flew off when I opened it. So, my next question is: being Saturday I have been told not to let young uns out cuz of them getting caught up with race birds and having just had a 360 mile round trip to Hartlepool to fetch one back I can see the sense of that. So I am thinking now I got them trapped maybe keep them in baskets till tomorrow morning to get them used to longer stays in a box? Is that too long? They have had shorter stays in baskets already but Im thinking if they ever get held over maybe they will handle it better if they have had a few longer sessions. I have 13 birds in each basket and they dont seem cramped although I wouldn't be happy putting too many more in them. Thanks for looking and any advice you have. Good luck today !!!

Hi all, Not sure if this is the right forum for this question but here goes. I have been told that if I keep my loft dark the birds will be so much easier to basket and handle in general. I am wondering, if I put some kind of blackout blind up when I go to work at night so it stays dark in there till I get home at 6 would that work? I have heard about the darkness system for moulting but my birds are moulted out now so could I do them any damage by giving artificial conditions? Sorry if this is 1 of my dumber questions but I really do need to calm my birds down for basketing. Otherwise they are all very healthy, just stressed !! Thanks all

Hi all, Excuse my ignorance please but why would you want to produce dilutes? I have been told although not from anyone with any great authority that dilutes dont fly as well as normal colours and are unlikely to make the long distances. I have a silver who looks a nice YB and is always in the first bunch home but up to now they are only doing 10 - 15 miles. Just wondered anyway, if anyone can give me a bit of knowledge here I would be grateful. Thanks

Thanks for your response PJC. As far as the advice given, he does train in the afternoon, I have no doubts he is giving me his best advice as it works for him, he is a gent and a scholar and a genuine pigeon bloke. Doesn't mean it will work for me though does it so I will try it my way. I noticed you send yours out again in the evening? Just a plod round the houses and does it affect them in the morning when you train again? Knacker them out etc? Thanks again !!

Hi all, I am wondering what time of day the members here think is the best to take birds on training flights? The reason I ask is because the guy who gave me all my birds says I should take them in the afternoon but to be honest, although I haven't got in a routine yet due to being away, because I work nights I would prefer to basket them when I get home at 6am and take them straight off. Also, I think with liberation times in early morning it would be best to get them used to being out that time of day? So, from experience, can anyone tell me if my way would be wrong at all? Maybe there are early morning hazards I don't know about etc? Thanks in advance etc

Took some of my young uns for their first toss today. Would have took all of them but some escaped while I was basketing them. I was told to be sure they are hungry so I had them in baskets for 8hrs to keep them away from any food on floor and then took them out at 3ish this afternoon. Let them go about 3:30 I think and came home. They have been flying around the house since just afer I got home. I have been whistling and shaking food at them like something gone wrong but they just ignore me..as always!!! So..advice please would be much appreciated as always. BTW, doesnt look like they are all home yet and I only took them 5 or 6 miles. Should I give up on the stragglers?

Hi all, Thanks for all your answers. Took the bird to the club like I said but as I feared the damage was way too bad. It's hard to describe the damage here but I'm not surprised at the outcome, sad though it is I know the right thing was done. Thanks again all

Thanks for the answers guys. All my birds are valuable to me strapper but I know what you mean. Our training wagon thingy is coming in to our club this morning so I am gonna take it down and let the old hands see what they think. I'm guessign it won't be here for the start of the season though. Will let you know anyway. Thanks again

Hi all, Got home this morning to find a bird hanging upside down with a nail through its ring and its leg bone completely clear of where it shud be. Not sure how long it had been there or how it happened. I never even noticed this nail..obviously or I would have taken it out. So the question is ..what to do??? i would think its got no chance of healing naturally, I have no idea how to splint and I'm not sure a splint would do the trick anyway. I think the best thing would be to have the leg and foot removed but could it manage long term on 1 leg? If the answer is no then I think there is only 1 way to go but I would appreciate answers first please. There is a guy close to me who would do the job (I'm not squeamish but I have weak wrists and fear I would cause pain before death and that's not on for me) but if there is another way I would prefer to try first. I think there is a lot of pain when stump touches anything but it seems quite calm once its settled. Thanks for any and all help

This is my new puppy. Her name is Vicky which might seem like a strange name for a dog but in a few weeks I will have a male who will be named Filbert (after the Leicester City mascot) who's girlfriend just happens to be Vicky. She is 9 weeks old and a Jack Russell. So what do you think?

Hi there, I am looking for some floor grills for..wait for it..putting on the floor!! I know Boddy's sell them for about £8 a piece which is Ok but I wonder if there is any alternative that could be used. I am getting ready for when I get my proper lofts in a few months I hope so no major hurry, just want to be prepared this time and save the hassle I had before. Thanks all.

Hi all and thanks for all the answers. I personally cant name any of the ingredients as I have never used it. I was just told this story the other day and trying to do my best for my birds by finding a product that is as safe as I can to use on them. I have to say that my mentor swears by One Drop and he recommended it to me. If he has had problems he hasn't told me so as ever there is 2 sides to every story. Thanks again for all the help!!

Hi all, I was mentioning to a guy at the marking last night that my birds have fleas and I asked him where I could get some One Drop locally instead of sending off for it. He said "Stay away from that stuff" and went on to tell me about a programme on TV about it which said it sends the birds infertile among other things..a lot of which I cant remember. Has anybody else seen this programme, I think he said it was on last night (Thursday) ( I don't think it's a wind up but can't swear to it)and if it's true does anyone have a substitute to recommend? Thanks all...good luck today !!!!

OK, thanks guys. Just wanted to be sure being new and all. There are no stupid questions ..right??

Hi there, Well, with regard to the bird that dropped in yesterday, I have arranged with the owner to drop him off with my club's transport driver tomorrow night. However, he is in a basket now, has been all day after advice from members to keep him away from mine. The question is, how long can I keep him in a basket without doing him any harm? I don't want to let him fly now we have a solution as he is a PITA to catch and my birds escaped this morning whille I was trying to recapture him. Is 2 full days too long? He has food and fresh water of course, just no excersise. Thanks all !!!!

Bobbing Bobcat for me. It keeps giving me penalties though and shep was on its way. I think it's lying!!!!!

I gotta start putting more effort into this. After a quick google it seems its a Kings Lynn area bird...much closer to me so makes more sense. Hopefully will get it home tomorrow.

Oh and I have put it in a basket and moved it from loft..just in case although I still think if there is to be damage done its too late. Will know next time so thanks all for the advice.

Second look showed a phone ring which must have been under the other ring. Shows a Leicester number I think. Have phoned and guy willphone back tomorrow but there is no race ring so it's a long way from home for a training flight isn't it? I am approx 65 miles from Leicester (less as the pigeon flies though)

Hi Numpty No it isn't a light cheq and I would have more success in naming it than finding out what sex it is sorry.

Hi Numpty No it isn't a light cheq and I would have more success in naming it than finding out what sex it is sorry.

Updated profile now but I am in Lincolnshire. I can't really keep it isolated as I only have the 1 loft/shed and anyway its mixed with them now so damage would be done if there was any. It looks healthy enough now anyway but just in case I wouldn't want a strange bird in my house where I would take the chance with my own if that makes sense. Thanks for the replies

Updated profile now but I am in Lincolnshire. I can't really keep it isolated as I only have the 1 loft/shed and anyway its mixed with them now so damage would be done if there was any. It looks healthy enough now anyway but just in case I wouldn't want a strange bird in my house where I would take the chance with my own if that makes sense. Thanks for the replies

Updated profile now but I am in Lincolnshire. I can't really keep it isolated as I only have the 1 loft/shed and anyway its mixed with them now so damage would be done if there was any. It looks healthy enough now anyway but just in case I wouldn't want a strange bird in my house where I would take the chance with my own if that makes sense. Thanks for the replies

Hi there, This hasn't happened to me before but I just found a stranger in my loft. Number is GB 08 X02448 It doesnt have a phone ring and I didn't want to stress it by looking for a wing stamp but later when they are perched I will look unless it can be placed before then.. It seemed very thirsty but has drunk a fair bit that I have seen. Main concern is it seems a bit like it's drunk. Might just be exhausted but it was flying into the walls a bit. Anyway it is welcome to have houseroom as long as it needs and if someone could advise on the next step I would be grateful Thanks