stevebelbin

That cheq pied is the spitting image of one i lost a few year back, dont suppose it was a stray was it!!!!! Same coloured ring as well!!

You will find it impossible to keep the humidity within the parameters in this country, without electric fans and heating etc. I had it all in my loft and it was hard work. Its funny, mine performed best when I only had eaves ventilation, with no lower vents at all, no fans and no heating. Obviously the loft had to be kept dust free by rigorous cleaning. If you buy "The Flying Vet" there is a good section in there on Humidity!

96 is the double of my first ever winner which was indeed a wildermeerch, which funnily enough was in 1996 :-)

\What were the returns like around about you?

Nothing better than building your own, mind I spent a fortune on mine, it probably would have been cheaper getting one from Parkhalls haha! Mine is just stood collecting dust and when I move out will probably be used as someone potting shed :-(!!

Whenever any of mine had hit the wires they rarely needed stitching, as they repair themselves very quickly, they would just need a good clean! As far as racing, I wouldnt bother racing them again, if you have a heart and its a bird you want to keep. I had a really good blue cock that had won twice and he returned back from a 550mile channel race on the thrid day all smashed up, it was a miracle he made it home, he was left in the aviary to heal and then wintered. He flew round the loft 100% as he used to, and got in to race condition before the next season. The first race he went to he never returned (60miles), after all the races he had been to and cards he had won I was gutted and vowed never to send one like that again!

Had a good one years back that was known as the Blue-Nosed-Seagull, he won from bourges (550miles) and got various other good positions channel racing. He went down from a training chuck of 20miles, assuming the hawk got him! He bred a few pure whites which all went missing training, so I refused to have a bonny pigeon in the loft after them, as they attract the attention of hawks (my opinion only)!!!! Stunning looking pigeons though, if you like that kinda thing haha

I know this is an alien idea to some fanciers ;-), but im on a dinner break at "WORK"!!

Age old question, I dont think it makes a difference, as long as they are in tip top condition, they will home from anywhere! Much prefer letting them up in twos so they have to think rather than follow ;-)!

Well I got rid of mine last year, and the motorbike has taken over :-)!!

Not yet Pete, I need to go through the complicated application system, so will be renting with the girlfriend until its all sorted! Can take a few years apparently but should be worth it :-)!

Sorry the Hen boxes are from Boddy and Ridewood not petron!!! Im out of touch with the pigeon world and just checked my records haha!! Steve

Im due to move in a few weeks and have 16 petron hen boxes with grills + a 12-15 bird basket + Chimney/Electric Fan that I need to get rid off. If anyone local to TEESSIDE is in need of either PM me. Steve

Well I did the walk yesterday in 14hours along with the girlfriend and my brother. If anyone feels they want to help save a few lives please feel free to PM and ill give you my address so you can donate a few pounds. Cheers Steve

Come on people, its for a good cause :-)

On the 31st May 2009 im doing a sponsored walk in aid of "The Chemotherapy Unit at James Cook Hospital". The walk is called the White Rose Walk and is 37 miles, if any wants to help out and sponsor me please PM and ill give the details of how to send me the cash etc. Cheers Steve

When you pair your widowhoods up, have a spare cock that can be left loose in the loft whilst the others are treading their hens. For the days when the cocks are locked in the box with their hens keep this cock loose in the loft to cause a bit of jealousy towards him. Then keep him away from the loft until the time when the cocks are seperated. On the day of basketing let the cocks see their hens as normal and basket them, leaving the basket in the loft so the cocks can see the hens in their boxes. Then release the spare cock into the loft and let the others see him chasing their hens etc. Then off to the club with a big smile on your face ;-) ;-)! Only do on a day when you can guarantee that they wont be held over, or you will lose a few!!!!

If you search the web for a company called "Gem Supplements", and get there number, they will sell you it ;-)

50miles south of bourges, the bird in question had been liberated from bourges and made it 50miles the wrong way haha! The pigeon batted for the otherside so he did have a tendency to make the wrong decisions ;-)!!!

The site seems to ran like our government, we have to be so f--king politically correct these days that the days of "free speech" and Great Britain being called "Great" have dissapeared. Vote BNP I say hahaha ;-). We should be called "Do as your Told Britain"

It may have a positive effect on the birds, if people start to breed less due to the rising costs, then overcrowding may be kept to a minimum which is always a good thing. With regards to racing it will probably mean birdages will be down.

Swallows ;-)

Aye, I always fancied doint a trip over when I was racing :-)! Aye ill drop that old channel cock over once weekend and have a bit of pigeon banter :-)

Excellent write up Paul, I can see you writing in the BHW in the near future ;-)

The Chequer Pied is the double of my first ever winner, brings back some memories that :-)