Kyleakin Lofts

George Gauld timed from Tours?, BICC last June and was on the result. He had to take his birds to England to the marking station. If the SNFC do not have an extreme distance race, then those who want one will find themselves in the same predicament. The SNRPC have Saintes for the extreme enthuisiast, although not on their official programme, they transport to the NFC marking station. Perhaps the SNFC could do something similar or the extreme enthuisiasts could all use SNRPC Saintes.

I think midnight_son makes a lot of good points although I remember them just doing Rennes, Nantes and Cheltenham? YB. The point about joint convoying for feds is very valid in respect of the race no longer being a fed race, but indeed a National one with the differences re fed / national racing which were mentioned. This could be avoided with separate liberations, but it would not be a national and if inland races at national level are now required due to sprint / middle / distance type birds or whatever other reasons then separate liberations would not suffice. If the SNFC decides not to cater for inland nationals then the niche could be filled by combines. This may require some restructuring, but the decline in the sport may require that restructuring becomes a necessity. The aims of the SNFC should point out whether it is formed to promote National long distance racing or national racing. This solves the problem of whether the SNFC should run inland nationals. Glencameron also makes good points regarding inland nationals. Years ago the birds kept in the loft completed the club / fed programme and went to the national. This was before the sprint / middle / distance type of birds came on the scene. Fanciers knew the limitations of their individual pigeons and raced them accordingly. I am not knocking the changes just stating the obvious. His last point “Like everything it is only an opinion but it is one I think is based on assisting the progression of pigeon racing in Scotland for the next X many years. As time goes by we are going to be duly forced into greater cooperation and sharing of resources.†is sadly very true, but it would be better if we were not forced into greater co-operation, instead openly accepted and strode forward towards it.

Not a member and only a new start, but from an organisation point of view with regards to costs, etc, I think IB's point has a lot of merit. It doesn't tie the organisers to set places and gives them freedom to organise cost effectively. The success of this suggestion depends on the trust the members have in the organisers. WulDon also makes a good point regarding the extreme distance, however, getting the birds to a NFC marking station is a major problem, so this would have to be organised through our National club to allow marking locally and transportation to the NFC for forward transit. IB's proposal allows room for Rene's request. The question is:- Does the membership have faith in their committee to do the best for the organisation, whilst fulfilling the needs of its members by providing them with Inland, short Channel and longer distance Channel races to allow fair competition and progressive training / experience building at a National level?

Just started this year, so definitely not speaking from experience, but the theory is that hens drive theirselves to return on the day so they are able to take their turn of sitting the eggs. The cocks don't have the same drive since their turn is not till later in the morning. The fact that hens seem to dominate the result either bears this out or this is why the theory arose, but this theory is from way back, well prior to the 60's.

Dinna ken ye wur a wummin, but maybe he'll treat it as chastising a child. Us auld fashioned yins still believe in the birch, ye ken.

Slinky, watch out at the next National marking, someone might tell him and he might bring his big stick tae ye

He bangs his own drum, but is in the position so to do. He does get the results and they can not be argued with. His articles are well written and an enjoyable read. Nowadays people in general are too ready to knock others. The good old days were not really that good when we were in them, but on reflection they were not as bad as we thought they were. Let us live and let live. Let those who enjoy John Harwood, I'm one, enjoy John Harwood. We are doing no harm and neither is he.

I read the same way as you tractor boy, so either I'm odd or perhaps, just perhaps, we are not all that odd at all ;D ;D. I know about the chancers, but sometimes genuine opportunities can be had, so it is fun reading the ads. Why would anyone sell their proven producers :-/ :?

Seems like a lot of "facts" are coming up stating this is not a problem in this country. It is also accepted that when it does occur, there are always exceptions to the rule, there is no cure and sadly only a cull is left, which must be heartbreaking. If this is the case, why the debate? These "facts" are being given, yet fanciers are ignoring them and seeking out cures at no little expense. Why are they not consulting the proper agencies? Is there the possibility that once our birds reach the continent, where this is a problem, the risk rises and they being more subject to risk subsequently cause the exception to the rule cases we are hearing about? If this is the case, does this warrant vaccination? I feel these are the questions we should be asking and hopefully someone somewhere has the answers.

Seems like a lot of "facts" are coming up stating this is not a problem in this country. It is also accepted that when it does occur, there are always exceptions to the rule, there is no cure and sadly only a cull is left, which must be heartbreaking. If this is the case, why the debate? These "facts" are being given, yet fanciers are ignoring them and seeking out cures at no little expense. Why are they not consulting the proper agencies? Is there the possibility that once our birds reach the continent, where this is a problem, the risk rises and they being more subject to risk subsequently cause the exception to the rule cases we are hearing about? If this is the case, does this warrant vaccination? I feel these are the questions we should be asking and hopefully someone somewhere has the answers.

I raised this subject a short time ago under a different heading. Fanciers seem to have very different views on this matter, ie. whether to vaccinate or not. I contacted Auchincruive regarding it and the vet there said he did not think it was a problem in the UK, but put me on to a pigeon vet for further investigation. I have not yet been in touch with him. As another train of thought; prior to vaccination, a course of antibiotics is required to clear any disease already present, then boosting the system with multivits and rest. If this is carried out successfully, what benefit does one then have by vaccinating the birds? I presume the pre-treatment would be required annually prior to vaccination, so why not just pre-treat and monitor?

It looks like the dust has settled on what appears to have been a very busy sale. Well done Blaz. I appreciate you still have a lot of work to do, collating the cheques when they arrive and notifying the vendors. I sincerely hope you will not have to chase up any buyers since your work is far from finished and that would be a headache you could do without. Again, well done Blaz.

Mistake on Lot 18 - should read £75 Kyleakin Lofts

Many thanks for info.

My yb's were injected for paramyxovirus early July 2009. I have several uninjected latebreds. When should the latebreds be injected and if this is next year prior to racing, do my injected birds need done at the same time or do I wait the full year? When should next year's yb's be injected? I have heard this is done when weaning them. Paratyphoid injections don't seem compulsory. Am I correct in this assumption? What are your views on Paratyphoid injections and if you use them when do you give them?

Please read your pm's

Shona

Me, Andy Kyle, just started. The kids, Shona and Dylan.

Been out the game for 40 years even more of a change, I expect. Started last year and the friendship within the sport is still the same. I too am adopting the methods I know, but afraid the potions are in use because of the number of gift birds from different lofts, however that will change once I get established with a team. The modern methods may have to be learned as time passes, but for now I shall use those that I know and the advice given by those I have come to respect in the sport.

As I said earlier, I think they were genetically modified. Contact Ian Noble via Scottish Homing Union. He has them direct from Matt White and is able to give you all the info, first hand.

Ian Noble of Ayrshire has them. I think they originated in USA and are genetically modified, but he has the info.

Try contacting Veve on here. They run the Scottish One Loft Race as well as their own loft. Not far from Barrhead.

Thanks to William Mitchell who phoned this evening to report my yb which had been attacked by a peregrine during the Dunbar race. It is now back in the loft and I am only 1 down from Saturday. This one and its nestmate were both showing evidence of the attack, so perhaps the other was not as lucky.

[face=Times][/face] New to the sport last year. YB's training with Ayrshire Fed this year. Had 1 race Carnwath 8/8 returns. 3 weeks off for family reasons then into Dunbar. Sent 10; 3 new birds from 2nd round 7 from 1st race. 8/10 returns at the moment. 1 dropped at 4.20 today with tear at crop; 2nd round bird. 1st bird back from 2nd round. Fairly pleased with returns, but would like 10/10 as everyone else would. Hope those who have suffered worse than me get them back, just as I hope mine work back.