TheSaddler

Vic, I have my website - the cost for the domain and setting it up £30 for six months... Do I have any plans to sell stuff? No... Have I have sold a pigeon? No.. What I do it for? To keep the sport alive! I agree some are there to make a quick buck - but not all of us! Here's mine: www.pigeonfancier.co.uk Cheers Lyndon

Mike, I agree - Cocks on roundabout dont hold their form quite as well as cocks on pure widowhood. But I'd say you still get about six good races out of them.. I've had 23 club prizes this year and 9 have been won by the cocks... 14 by the hens... It's difficult to balance the roundabout system - In my experience the hens fly better the more they see the cock. Its the opposite with cocks - the more they see the hen (in the week) the worse they get. I tend to concentrate on the sex that are flying the best that season - Obviously this will have a detrimental effect upon the other sex.... The art of roundabout flying for me is to get your cocks and hens to hit form at different points in the season - In effect you then have a fresh team to compete with.

Cosworth stud bought all Jim's Birds in 2001 see link, <http://www.cosworthstud.co.uk/fvw.html>

I race a family of Jim Smith FVW

100% returns and in good time

Thanks to all for the advice.

Speedbird, When you get widowhood cocks on form they fly in straight lines and at pace. When a kit of 20 cocks split into different directions it's a joy to see. Personally it's my favourite part of the season because you know you've done your job.. It's then down to the birds and the motivation. Widowhood cocks that circle and clap around are not what you want, these birds are often off form or tired. Training does ensure that the birds are doing the 'time on wing' but if overdone it will retard the birds even more. This is just my opinion though - I know people who win out of turn and they train every day of the week.

Silverwings, You can add Bobby Walton to that list - Excellent record in the Vanrobaeys Gold Ring and at Federation/Classic races.

With the hot weather in the UK this week I have noticed a reduction in the exercise times of my widowhood cocks. The hens are still exercising well though (50 mins each time at 6.00 am and 6.00pm). The cocks are exercised from 7-8 and 5-6. Have other fanciers experienced any reduction in exercise times this week? Do you prepare you birds differently for a hot race? For example electrolytes on a friday?

Worcester Fed at Newton Abbot

Alan, I might have a go this time! I'm gonna see if my Dad can take the birds when i'm at work on Friday. I'll only send a couple though. I'll let you know if I send. To be honest my birds are dipping in form at the moment, so it will take a miracle to get a good en.. You've gotta be in it to win it though!

It's a message forum - just chill out a bit.. I don't get chance to check all the mini sites - It's easier to navigate straight to the forum... I'm only interested in people's results who post on the board - not the members in their clubs!

Congratulations!

Well Done Alan - excellent result.

Stuart, Gary Downing had only one Hession Van Reet in his clearance sale - but I'll agree it was a damn good one! (The Hession Hen). Gary's loft was at least half Jim Smith FVW and these provided many of his winners!