T_T

Hi Tammy, We get away on the 8th April, a distance of 98mls. When our youngsters start, in Aug, they also start at 98mls. I will miss the channel racing because I used to go up to my front bedroom window and look directly across the channel. I often have friends up the country when they are racing over the pond, phone me to for a quick forcast, wind, cloud, visibility etc.

Hello young man, Nice to have you on board. I'm sure you'll enjoy some friendly chats and good advice.

Hi Tammy, Thought I might add a bit of Clarat and Blue quality to the forum instead of Mikes Baggies.

Tobbacco stalks, Found another downfall to the use of Tobbacco stalks this morning. Entered the loft to take the birds training and everything fine. On my return went into the loft and found a couple of stalks had crossed a youngsters neck in the bowl and when the hen sat on it the stalks must have choked the baby.

Working mans sport ?

Same opinion as many others, shouldn't be allowed and the club that refuses anyone membership without a valid reason, drunk, volatile, proven bad character etc, should be taken to the regional panel about it. NO ONE should be refused entry to any pigeon club under normal circumstances, whether they win every week or not.

HI Ray, I am majority Busschaert based and it was a foregone conclusion that I would choose these pigeons because of where I live and what they have done on this corner. It was here in Kent where the Busschaert mania started. They took the whole country by storm. I race the Rapido lines of this family and I got them from a friend who I played darts with, quite a coincidental meeting and they certainly have a sting in their tail. My darts friend wins out of turn at all distances. The reason I prefer them is that they are not only sprinters but as has been proven up and down the country can get 500mls and that's as far as I race. UP THE HAMMERS !!

All sounds very interesting in making my mind up. Thanks folks.

Thanks Mike, Nice to know for the memory bank.

Canary ?

Hi Peckedhen, Have you always treated before pairing ? as I've said, I ALWAYS have except this year and bearing in mind how cold it's been, I am delighted with the result.

How's peoples hatchings going ? for the first time for many, many year, I havn't treated for the deadly four before pairing, Worms, Cocci, Resp. Canker. I have had a 100% hatch. anybody else had good results, it would be nice to use it perhaps as some sort of guide line.

Keep em' coming Speighty, reading is education and I'm up for that..

Rose, Shouldn't the motivation factor be the other way round ? and that would be to prove that you could beat ETS with your OLD SYSTEM.

Hyacinth, Talking about the olden days and running to one clock, I remember we had two pigeons come some 20 seconds apart and my Uncle who was fifty---ish set off running down the road. I took the second rubber, me being 20--ish and chased him. I was just about to pass him when his trousers fell down and he fell flat on his face. The whole street was in stitches. We never did time in for laughing. Where have all those lovely times gone. ?

Hi Mspigeon, I think " selfish" is a harsh word to use because as you know I'm sure most pigeon fanciers would give their heart away and being against ETS ( as I am ) they are not only worried about the impact it would have on the fancy financially, they are worried about an unfair advantage should two pigeons from different lofts arrive together one with ETS and one without because I'm sure the ETS system will ALWAYS beat a hand timing system. If they should give the hand timer an allowance, it would have to be a generous one for me because I am totally wrapped up in the excitement of it all, there's rubbers flying everywhere. Love it. I'm not against change but should something come in that would effect my family finances and present standard of living it would be bye bye pigeons and I'm a little frightened that this could be it. Final question, What is the life span of a pad and how often is it reccommed that the sytem is serviced.

Hyacinth, I really hope I don't have to use TWO rings on my pigeons, ID AND chip rings. There slow enough as it is LOL. Another question ETS users. If there are no day birds from any particular race and our pigeons go down for a drink and soil their chip ring, would it register on the pad.when they eventually arrive home.?

Thanks for comments folks.

Ray, Nice to see you won a few bob on Wolves, you must have had a safe bet on them losing. LOL. Now if you'd have said you had a winning bet on the HAMMERS, I could understand.

Thanks Rose, The ring price hurts !!

Hi Ray, Sorry to hear about the old boy, glad I managed to see him. I was taken with his two daughters as well. Must admit the photos do look dazzling and to think I've handled em' all. Crackers !!!

Could anyone tell me. If the ETS system comes in ( and I would get one because they MUST give you a definite timing advantage ) and even though it would have to be paid for in instalments, would the company supplying the system, TAKE MY CLOCKS IN PART EXCHANGE ? or would I be left with £600 worth of pigeon clock on my hands. If someone could answer my previous question from an earlier post, would the rings for the system be more expensive than the ones we use at present ? I would be most grateful.

Thanks Ray, Thinking of crossing some of them with my Busschaerts, not this time though, if I get any, it will be the back end of the season. Dosn't seem as though many fanciers have had any dealings with them judging by the response.

Anybody know anything about this breed of pigeon ? anybody got them ? race them ?

I am a voter for the NO brigade. I am not against change, It's just a thrill for me to get involved with my pigeons and to physically time them in whilst I can. I do of course realise there are some fanciers that are not as fortunate as me in being able to do that, such as our disabled friends and those that maybe have to work on a race day. We each of us, have our reasons for Yes or No. Why can't those reasons be accepted without cutting each others throats.!! When the time comes to vote, we shall no doubt all put our cross in the box of our choice. What will be, will be. . Would the rings for the use with the ETS system be more expensive than the rings we use now.? I am thinking along the lines of a heavy dent in the pocket if we have any sort of heavy losses or smashes.