T_T

As always Jimmy, two weeks before the 1st race to get the birds into the swing of it, I train to my usual spot which registers 18 mls on the car and it's on the line of flight. I never train beyond that. I just don't believe in running up and down the country with the pigeons. When my pigeons come, I expect them to come within what I call the arc, which is right for me. Within a short space of time, regular times of 17/20mins are recorded no matter what the wind and I know their on song but If because of bad weather I can't train or their not too responsive, I will train twice a day and because I only train to 18mls, it dosn't hurt them or me. Any late comers are monitered and I make sure nothing is wrong with them health wise. Persistant late comers that are healthy are not kept . I am also fortunate as you know, that I have a good lady wife at the home end who will get them in for me.

Why is it that whenever you promise someone the youngsters from a certain pair, something goes wrong. ? You can have all the others sitting/rearing perfectly but the one pair you want fails. I've just had a Rapido hen lay with the hope of sending a pair to one of our forum members. Checked today, one egg broken. I could understand it perhaps if they were yearlings but they are experienced parents. I just hope the other egg is full. Anybody else have this sort of luck ?

Thinking of you all Jimmy and hope all goes well with Mum.

What do members think is the BEST nest condition for NATURAL racers.? cocks and hens, ie:- sitting for however many days, driving, chipping eggs, feeding, calling to nest etc. Don't know if this one's been discussed before and I know there are a lot of us that fly Widowhood so some of these conditions may not apply now but could have in the past.

Hi Jimmy, For me, I would suggest it being a hindrance particularly at that distance. Sending on a Fri night to a sprint race coming home on the Saturday morning, may be something different but I wouldn't fancy the idea of a pigeon of mine being basketed Weds or Thurs night for a 5/600 miler carrying milk with the chance of it performing to any great result. I'm sure there will always be some exceptions but my comment is my own personal belief.

Can you imagine Tony C on an asault course LOL. You need to book now if your going to get in there, it's very popular and we always book on leaving as do most other people.

I'll second those comments Wiley, not a bad meeting place for next year on the Sat night ?

Hi Blackjack, Don't know exactly what the sale made but a fancier went and told me he pulled out of the bidding on one particular pigeon at two and a half thousand pounds. I understand it eventually went for five thousand pounds. I also got told a foreign fancier had his sale stopped because in his opinion his birds wern't making enough money. I must stress that this is only what I was told, I was not at any of the sales to witness any of what I have just told you.

Hi Pigeon Pete, Sorry mate, don't know any of the prices. I was told by a London fancier at breakfast, the price the whole sale made. I would imagine the word would of got round and someone from here will have details and will be put on here or some info in the BHW this week..

Providing the old birds are robust in their actions and appearance, continue breeding from them. They may in their later years, deteriorate in body, that's the time to call it a day with them, you will also notice the hens become slow in laying and the cocks can't be bothered to drive her to nest. If a particular pigeon or pair of pigeons is/are of such value to you that you can't dispose of them, then float their eggs until they fail to fill.

Got home at 5pm today. Were you hiding from me then Ray, ? met up with all the people you mentioned and even picked my badge up from Richard but missed you but of course I'm not used to being at the bar so perhaps that's the reason you missed me. Rose, Specks, Wiley and Tony C popped into our Hotel and I'm sure they would agree that they saw a cracking show on Saturday night. I know Tony C well enough to call him a good friend. The others sadly I only met very briefly but I hope from meeting them in the flesh friendship will grow. As you say, excellent week end and as I understand it T. Marsdens sale made £85:000. £75:000 for the VRs and £10;000 for the box pigeons.

You usually find that when people attend any auction, when they pass a pen with a pedigree on of a pigeon they like, the first thing they do is pick the pedigree up and read it. Now it seems there are a few people on here that are not too bothered about paperwork so what would they do in a case like that, not bother to look at the pedigree and just buy the pigeon because they like it. ? Myself, I like to read through the peperwork for a guide line. Of course you have to rely on the honesty of the owner but you have to do that anyway, with or without paperwork.

Most I ever paid was £480 for a son of "Firefly" the famous Busschaert cock at Massarellas auction in B/Pool. Never again. Had him for three years and bred absolutely nothing. Best pigeons I've got are Rapido Busschaerts, given by a friend and they give me an honest performance every race day. Will be trying some VRs against them this year.

Roger that Wiley, I'm sure we'll meet up.

We're staying at the Viking Hotel again as we do every year, simply because it's got it's own entertainment downstairs and if the weather is rough it's perfect because you don't have to leave your hotel. Any firm arrangements been made yet with regard to the PBs members meeting up on Saturday in the show ? How about SWilcox stall at 12 noon.? and also pick up our PB badges. Any other suggestions floating around ?

Roland, Seems as though you have a biggish problem there but I'm sure you'll get to the bottom of it because there's one thing that we pigeon fanciers can't be when it comes to obstacles, BEAT. Wish you luck with your efforts.

Yes !! make NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT, rats WILL kill a pigeon without a second thought. My brothers ( both of them again living very close to open land ) were pestered by these rodents last year and lost a number of stock birds to them. Their lofts are on the floor. My lofts are of a concrete foundation and my racing loft 18" off the ground on a brick surround, the back end being left open for access. Have never seen evidence of a rat here in 30yr, poison is always down but rarely disturbed. My brothers got rid of the rats they had, by dropping bags of poison directly into the rat holes.

Seem very common now around the lofts of pigeon fanciers, another gripe for our neighbours. These rats always seem to take your best birds as well. I think most people call the council in to get rid of them.

Interested but concerned about the cost. I can see families at war over this. Another question ? Can the ETS rings be put on a youngster at any age, or are they used the same as the conventional registration ring at 8-10 days. ? In other words, is the ETS ring a clip ring ? If it is a clip ring, I would train my youngsters hard minus the ETS ring and when it's time for racing, put the clip ring on. Youngsters that were lost in training or off the loft and perhaps returned after racing started, wouldn't have risked the price of a ring at £1:20 a time. They wouldn't be kept either.

We're at Poirtsmouth quite a few times this season Mick, looks good to me.

As a boy I remember being asked to clear the roof of an old peoples home which was littered with pigeons. My " trap" was along the same lines as Jupiters but with just a slight difference in size being 4' long 2' 6" wide and 2' high. The entrance to the trap I made, was through the top. There were 8 drop holes 6" x 6". I put the trap on top of the building ( flat roof ) and left it empty for a couple of days to allow the pigeons to get used to it. I then put corn in the bottom and left it again. After 3 days, all pigeons had been caught. The reason the drop holes were put in the top was because if the pigeon tried to get out, he would have to use his wings to keep himself in the air so couldn't escape. All good fun!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Wiley, Would appreciate it if you could run me one off. Anyone going to B/Pool with the intention of buying any Aviform Ultimate. I am looking for someone to share the cost, " two for one" offer they have on. PM me if interested.

If you have a pair that is regularly breeding winners and especially covering the distances you race in your club, why split them ? If you have a pair that breeds sprint winners and a pair that breeds distance winners so much the better and that also gives you options but my motto would be in the case of such good pairs, " Till death us do part. "

Hi All, Winds blowing a hooley here, trees blown over, rain lashing down and roads closed. How nice it is to be amongst 20 young widow cocks, cleaning out, with them spinning around your feet, on your shoulders and pecking your ears. Spring not too far away. Who needs human company!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice one Anthony !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well Done