Jim McArthur

Sounds as though a pigeon will be your friend for a good long while! Jim

However you explain it: animals are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. A lot smarter than us, in many ways, I truly believe. I remember reading somewhere that an adult dog is intelligent on about the same level as an 8 year old human child. Think about that! Jim

Now I get it: couldn't figure out why anyone would want to catch the ferals. I heard a story on www.pigeonradio.com about a racer on race day who went to hang out at his neighbor's loft just a few hundred yards away, and in came the neighbor's pigeon: the lad then runs back to his own loft - while his neighbor meanwhile is doing just what you described - only to find his own pigeon sitting there waiting for him! ;D Jim

15; 19 and 20; that's good. I like things that last! Jim

Nearly 15 and still feisty; that's good! Is this typical? Do they normally live this long? Jim

Yes, I know: until they die! ;D But seriously...how long on the average will healthy and well cared for racers or rollers live? Does racing a homer tend to diminish or increase its life span or have no effect? Jim

Very helpful, yes. When you say "trapping youngbirds", do you mean your own ones that you've released? Or do fanciers sometimes try to catch wild ones? :-/ Jim

Good points, Tim. Has anyone else heard about rollers just flying away and never returning? Jim

Would pigeons caught like this learn to accept their new home, and return to it, or would they likely fly away and not return if you did release them? :-/ Jim

Has anyone had a bad experience with rollers simply NOT returning? I don't have any pigeons yet; want to get some but as I'm in no position at present to get seriously into racing, I'm debating between getting homers, or rollers (I just want a few birds for entertainment). But I've heard that rollers sometimes don't return. (?) :-/ Jim

A pretty kit, all around! What exactly is a "dropper"? I'm very new to the pigeon world. Jim

For some reason, Linda, I don't seem to have received that message. capnwilliam@yahoo.com if you don't mind re-trying! Jim

I must have missed that message, Hyacinth; where / when did you post it? :-/ Jim

It sounds as though racers / homers rather than rollers is the better way to start. I would hate to have my whole flock decide to decamp en masse! ;D Jim

This is a good thread and we ought to keep it going! I'm also new to the hobby, still in the planning stages of getting started. I want to start with just a few birds, in a city backyard. Not sure yet whether it'll be racers or rollers / tumblers. Am interested in hearing from you veteran fanciers as to recommendations of types of birds, how to train them, lofts, etc. Jim

More "flying homers" than "racing racers" : at least. to start, I'd say. Same if I had rollers. Maybe with more time, space, and experience I'd become a serious racer. If you just wanted to dabble in a few homers for fun, vs. a few rollers for fun: which would be easier to handle, would you say? Jim

Thanks for all your nice comments, everyone. One thing's for sure: at my house now, we all love pigeons! ;D Come the 19th of December we go to Act of Sale on a new house with a great tiled courtyard that will have enough room to keep some pigeons. Am still educating myself; am still debating between racers, and tumblers / rollers. Please feel free to make recommendations! ;D Hint: I really DON"T have much time on my hands: which kind require less time investment? Jim

I reckon a big kit rolling looks like an acrobatic bird show; just one rolling looks like the bird is nuts, or dying! ;D Jim

Well, I HOPE Homer makes it. :-/ I took him out of his cage today to put Neosporin on his injured wing, as Linda recomended - and he flew across my living room! I took him out to the backyard (such as it is: not the best place for a pigeon to get airborne), put the medicine on his wing, andlet him try to fly: and he flew a short distance to the trash can, then jumped to the ground, and, when I tried to catch him - went under the house next door. I placed his open cage next to the house, in case he wants to return to it, though I doubt that he will. His wing had really healed well over the past 10 days, so I hope that it's well enough for him to resume his old life. Well, goodbye, Homer, and I hope and pray that you make it! :'( Jim

They are beautiful birds! I'm brand new to the world of pigeons, so please tell me, what are Tipplers, and Tumblers? I've heard of Birmingham Rollers: are BH's a type of tumbler? Jim

Can you keep and fly 1 or 2 Birminghams? Or do they "work" best only in large flocks (kits?) Jim

Does anyone on this Forum raise Birmingham Rollers? Jim

A cute critter! Jim

What exactly IS a "Birmingham Roller"? Are they racing pigeons? Jim

Linda, I got my AU material in yesterday's mail and started readng it last night. Jim