How long

[Thimbles]

One of my birds hit a wire last week and needed stitching up..the skin on one side of the breast had to be stitched back together.She is starting to fly out again.How soon could i put this bird back in the race basket bearing in mind we only have three races left

[Tony C]

The pigeon will need its confidence built back up more than it will need the experience of the race basket. I'd aim to get it into the last race and in the interim give it plenty of short sharp tosses.

[REDCHEQHEN]

Personally - I wouldn't race  it again this season

 

I have old birds that hit the wires (3 of them) on the last race of the old bird season - July 18th - none required stitching - and they would not be ready to race again yet

[Guest dogeon]

agree with redcheqhen if its nearly race season over the birds most proberly had some education so save it for next season

[stevebelbin]

One of my birds hit a wire last week and needed stitching up..the skin on one side of the breast had to be stitched back together.She is starting to fly out again.How soon could i put this bird back in the race basket bearing in mind we only have three races left

 

Whenever any of mine had hit the wires they rarely needed stitching, as they repair themselves very quickly, they would just need a good clean! As far as racing, I wouldnt bother racing them again, if you have a heart and its a bird you want to keep. I had a really good blue cock that had won twice and he returned back from a 550mile channel race on the thrid day all smashed up, it was a miracle he made it home, he was left in the aviary to heal and then wintered. He flew round the loft 100% as he used to, and got in to race condition before the next season. The first race he went to he never returned (60miles), after all the races he had been to and cards he had won I was gutted and vowed never to send one like that again!

 

[Guest IB]

You've only repaired the visible damage, it has still to heal & bird recover. Also what of the damage you can't see, internal stuff like deep bruising etc? The bird got itself home under difficult circumstances. You should lay it off - completely - for next year.