When it's raining

[Guest mick bowler]

You pays your money and takes your choice. I would rather keep my birds strong and healthy than risk them having underlying disease problems. And I certainly do not want them sitting about in a damp environment, especially late in the day.

All the opinions I've heard and all the books I've read have one thing in common.

Lofts must be dry.

But then there are some that think that if the birds are exposed diseases and challenging conditions it will make them stronger. For me it is diet and training, together with continual observation as to their physical condition. But then,all roads lead to Rome as they say.

 

Owen, dry loft is a must, totally agree but wet pigeons don't add to a damp loft.

 

Have to remember every one who writes these books probably has use of a vet, (and lets face it he's not going to say the birds don't need treating is he?), especially if Belgie or Dutch. What happens when these birds come west ( or Scotland)? Ask a few of the Derry lads on here (And no doubt the highlands lads), They can't cut it, the old families do but most of these molly cuddled, pampered super pigeons from the flatlands just go down at first sign of stress.

 

[Thimbles]

If you dont let your birds out in the rain you are teaching them on race day when it rains to go down for shelter.

[Guest pigeon82]

 

Owen, dry loft is a must, totally agree but wet pigeons don't add to a damp loft.

 

Have to remember every one who writes these books probably has use of a vet, (and lets face it he's not going to say the birds don't need treating is he?), especially if Belgie or Dutch. What happens when these birds come west ( or Scotland)? Ask a few of the Derry lads on here (And no doubt the highlands lads), They can't cut it, the old families do but most of these molly cuddled, pampered super pigeons from the flatlands just go down at first sign of stress.

 

im from derry mick and i agree with everything your saying and you know as much as i do about the weather over here lol

 

 

[Guest ROCKYandRAMBO]

well mine are just back from a 25 mile training toss with lots of showers about and they are all dry so they found a way round them

[Guest bakes]

ive noticed mine when coming back from a toss they seem to get back alot faster when its dull grey with showers than on a sunny day with blue skys.

[Roland]

Well simply I trained in all weathers, regardless of High winds, heavy rain etc. etc. Birds out 365 days a year too. Ole timer said to me, 'If they go down into the fields or whatever when the rain is too much an soaked, they learn, soon up and homeward bound. Makes them determine and soon you only have what every body wants. If not trained, then on race days they won't come. After all we are suppose to be training them! :-/ This makes them birds of good constitution, the hard race / distance birds .... but I don't toss them in the rain if racing that week - end because it takes the edge of them'.

Last while I've molly coddled and took it real easy. Not so good. JMO

Besides if conditioned the rain soon drips of and are dry in no time.

[Roland]

Notive with the stock birds as soon as it rains they are out in it. They have a loft, and a flight. THEFlight is just wire meshed roof. I put boards over sometimes in winters. But can't see why really. More a 'For me' thing I guess.

But then I've done piddly dip this past season  :-/

[Guest Owen]

I had to laugh when it was suggested that I might molly coddle my birds. I work on the basis that at least 25% of the birds I breed are not up to the the standard I need. So how can I tell which to keep and which to dump? Simple, I send them to all the races. And I only breed from birds that win at least 4 races. I regard a lot of what I call, fads and fancies, such as eyesign, wing theory and flying them in adverse conditions as a waste of time and the ruination of good birds. Why would I want to give them unnecessary stress that would lower there condition before they are raced. I want them in the very best condition to cope with the demands of the races. Which includes rain, wind and heat.

My pigeons are subjected to a great deal of work but I will not risk giving them problems that they don't need. Windy weather would result in injuries which in turn would mean the birds could not go to the races. Birds that don't go to the races are unproven so they go.

As I said before you pay your money and take your choice. I will continue to try to build the condition of my birds, my way, and you can carry on causing your birds stress and injury as much as you like. My aim is to end the season with a surplus of good birds that I can select from. I never want to be scrabbling to keep anything that does not measure up.

[Guest JPH]

my birds on open bowl all day and fly well in rain,  dry off very quickly when they come in and to be honest are never really that wet.  Dont think it does them a bit of harm and they love it.

[Guest pigeon82]

I had to laugh when it was suggested that I might molly coddle my birds. I work on the basis that at least 25% of the birds I breed are not up to the the standard I need. So how can I tell which to keep and which to dump? Simple, I send them to all the races. And I only breed from birds that win at least 4 races. I regard a lot of what I call, fads and fancies, such as eyesign, wing theory and flying them in adverse conditions as a waste of time and the ruination of good birds. Why would I want to give them unnecessary stress that would lower there condition before they are raced. I want them in the very best condition to cope with the demands of the races. Which includes rain, wind and heat.

My pigeons are subjected to a great deal of work but I will not risk giving them problems that they don't need. Windy weather would result in injuries which in turn would mean the birds could not go to the races. Birds that don't go to the races are unproven so they go.

As I said before you pay your money and take your choice. I will continue to try to build the condition of my birds, my way, and you can carry on causing your birds stress and injury as much as you like. My aim is to end the season with a surplus of good birds that I can select from. I never want to be scrabbling to keep anything that does not measure up.

 

wind and rain causes as much injury as the good weather i have to date had worse injurys from a good day than i have from a bad day take last weekends racce beautiful hot day no wind sent 8 birds and 4 came back injured never had an injured bird before in this year i have been racing i still think hard weather strengthens the birds your birds must wonder whats hit them if a rain cloud opens up as mine are always in the rain and thats because 9 times out of 10 it rains anyway

 

 

[billt]

this is why i train and let the birds out in the rain this is how one of my birds returned on race day

 

couldn't she have pulled her hood up  ;D

[Guest pigeon82]

 

couldn't she have pulled her hood up  ;D

 

lol very funny ;D

 

 

[andrecrock]

I open the loft and let them decide.And beliefe u me,they are out like rockets.The only thing i avoid is strong wind and rain.I feel the same as Mick Bowler,i train in it as well.

[Guest pigeon82]

i dont mind the strong winds with experienced birds they love it in the wind gliding around

[jimmy white]

We also put them out and while they are out we fill the bath - try it see what happens.

 

;D ;D ;D they love it,,,and will bath readily lol,, in my opinion theres rain,,and rain lol a nice shower will do them the world of good [after all its natural to them],, but would call a limit in gale force, all day rain storms   mainly for myself lol

[Guest pigeon82]

one good thing i think ive never heard of anyone get attacked by bop in the wet weather is it true or not if it is then definatejy gud idea for some people in hawk terriorty

[tommiddo]

i do otherwise mine wouldnt get bathed as they wont go in one some times find they fly better around the loft when it is light rain

[Guest pigeon82]

ccudnt get hold of my dad for you tom try again iin abit pal

[tommiddo]

no problem phil cheers mate............

[Guest mick bowler]

I had to laugh when it was suggested that I might molly coddle my birds. I work on the basis that at least 25% of the birds I breed are not up to the the standard I need. So how can I tell which to keep and which to dump? Simple, I send them to all the races. And I only breed from birds that win at least 4 races. I regard a lot of what I call, fads and fancies, such as eyesign, wing theory and flying them in adverse conditions as a waste of time and the ruination of good birds. Why would I want to give them unnecessary stress that would lower there condition before they are raced. I want them in the very best condition to cope with the demands of the races. Which includes rain, wind and heat.

My pigeons are subjected to a great deal of work but I will not risk giving them problems that they don't need. Windy weather would result in injuries which in turn would mean the birds could not go to the races. Birds that don't go to the races are unproven so they go.

As I said before you pay your money and take your choice. I will continue to try to build the condition of my birds, my way, and you can carry on causing your birds stress and injury as much as you like. My aim is to end the season with a surplus of good birds that I can select from. I never want to be scrabbling to keep anything that does not measure up.

 

Owen, i apologise if it sounded that way, but if you read my post again i was not referring to you (mollycuddling birds). I can't be a judge on the way your birds are treated, and yours on mine likewise, wether we do well or not.

 

All i was saying is these birds may do alright where the weather is not so extreme, but i believe not many survive were it is the harshest. People forget that the Belguim/Holland areas must be one of the easiest to fly into, no channels, no mountains, most race points are a south west of the regions, and are not even a 100 miles!

 

If we were to leave our birds in when weather was bad, then it would be a waste of time keeping them, as it is i'd say my birds only avearge exercise 4 out of every 7 days. If they can do it here then they can do it anywhere.

 

 

[Guest pigeon82]

hi mick mine go out everyday in whatever the weather but not on friday if wet and except race day unless all my birds are home then i might consider letting them out on race day

[Guest Owen]

Well lads we gave that a good airing. And it is doubtful if anyone has changed their minds about exercising in the adverse weather. So at the end of the day we will make our own decisions on which way is best to develop the best racing team. And we will all be subjected to the acid test. How many prizes did we win? Others will be happy just watching the birds fly or come home on a race day. Winning races being the last thing they will be concerned about. So each to his/her own. It is probably this diversity that makes it all worth doing.

For my own part, I will continue to enjoy breeding and testing the results of my breeding techniques, hoping to create that super pigeon. Maybe I will and maybe I wont, but it is great dreaming about it and trying to attain my dream.

Owen

[Guest pigeon82]

Well lads we gave that a good airing. And it is doubtful if anyone has changed their minds about exercising in the adverse weather. So at the end of the day we will make our own decisions on which way is best to develop the best racing team. And we will all be subjected to the acid test. How many prizes did we win? Others will be happy just watching the birds fly or come home on a race day. Winning races being the last thing they will be concerned about. So each to his/her own. It is probably this diversity that makes it all worth doing.

For my own part, I will continue to enjoy breeding and testing the results of my breeding techniques, hoping to create that super pigeon. Maybe I will and maybe I wont, but it is great dreaming about it and trying to attain my dream.

Owen

 

very true well all the weather mine have been out in and since racing some bad races ive done 8 including fed raes ive lost 5 birds i still have 12 out there going strong some injured with bop now but hey thats them barstewards always giving it ago but everyone is always learning so nice to hear your thoughts you can still tell you care alot as you mention about loft not getting wet major point but doesnt take long to dry out

 

 

[Guest pigeon82]

definately gud thread agree with u tractorr sum gud interesting points

[Guest Owen]

As I must have said before, damp conditions in a pigeon loft are very bad for the pigeons. It is for the Owner to decide what damp means. For me it would be wet pigeons on a wet day failing to dry out before nightfall. And if the floor gets damp the situation will get worse. And worse still in this British climate will be if those conditions are repeated for days at a time.  Healthy pigeons can handle rain and pretty much anything that Nature can throw at them but not draught and damp. A bit like us really.