Advice Plz...

March 28, 2011

Hi i am looking for some young hens as i have mainly cocks as i am still learning i brought the birds thinking they were pairs but they were all cocks... I thought it was strange they didnt breed but i thought it was the weather... Just turns out they are cocks... I am in Reading, Berkshire and would be really greatful if anyone has any hens and could help me... I have had the pigeons awhile and to be honest i feel that i am not getting anywhere... I wanted to race this year which is why i brought the new birds to breed from. I also brought a old quartz clock ready but i just dont seem to be getting anywhere... I have one pair but for some reason they dont like to feed the baby... I have googled and they advised that i hand feed it abit each day to help it. Does anyone know why or what i would do to help the parent swant to feed the baby..

Thank you for your help..

regards claire

billt · March 28, 2011

Hi Claire, sorry to hear you're having a bad start,pigeons are usually good parents and feeders, are they separated from the spare cocks? if not could upsetting the pair, it would be to your advantage if you could find an experienced local fancier to have a look at your set-up, I'm sure they would be able to point you in the right direction, All the best. Bill

March 28, 2011

Hi Claire, sorry you are having these problems, don't feel put out by them, we can all get fooled by cocks that we think are hens, and hens that turn out to be cocks.

I don't know what age your young pigeons in the nest are, but believe me when I say that if the parents weren't feeding them they'd be dead by now. So just make sure the parents have enough food, a gallipot-full in the nest box. They'll do the rest.

Yes, you need hens to breed. But you also want to race the birds you have. Breeding while Racing could be tricky. And remember these hens you get in will likely be people's spare hens aged 1 year upwards. You won't be able to let them out for a while. They will be an added hassle until they are broken.

My advice is to race the pigeons you have - for fun & a bit experience. Look to get a team of YB's either through free donations, or careful purchase e.g. at charity events where some well bred birds come up at reasonable prices..

March 28, 2011

Hi Claire, sorry you are having these problems, don't feel put out by them, we can all get fooled by cocks that we think are hens, and hens that turn out to be cocks.

I don't know what age your young pigeons in the nest are, but believe me when I say that if the parents weren't feeding them they'd be dead by now. So just make sure the parents have enough food, a gallipot-full in the nest box. They'll do the rest.

Yes, you need hens to breed. But you also want to race the birds you have. Breeding while Racing could be tricky. And remember these hens you get in will likely be people's spare hens aged 1 year upwards. You won't be able to let them out for a while. They will be an added hassle until they are broken.

My advice is to race the pigeons you have - for fun & a bit experience. Look to get a team of YB's either through free donations, or careful purchase e.g. at charity events where some well bred birds come up at reasonable prices..

Hi, Thank you for the replys... Do u know of any charity events that are around in my area... Which is Reading, Berkshire... I have tried to get help at my club that is nearest to me but its just like they dont want me to race. I was going to join but i didnt as i didnt feel accpeted and that i dont have enough birds to race.. I realy do want to try and am very greatful for your help... I realy enjoy the birds but i am abit disheartened that i am not gonna get to race but what i want to do is build up a nice little team ready for next time...

regards claire

March 28, 2011

Hi, Thank you for the replys... Do u know of any charity events that are around in my area... Which is Reading, Berkshire... I have tried to get help at my club that is nearest to me but its just like they dont want me to race. I was going to join but i didnt as i didnt feel accpeted and that i dont have enough birds to race.. I realy do want to try and am very greatful for your help... I realy enjoy the birds but i am abit disheartened that i am not gonna get to race but what i want to do is build up a nice little team ready for next time...

regards claire

I'm sorry that you weren't made to feel welcome, Claire, but you must join a club of your choice quickly. The club is basically the hub for everything. For example have you got ID rings for those youngsters you mentioned? If not, provided you are a member of a Union e.g RPRA, you can get ID rings from them in your name - you need these on the birds before you can race them, and the ID rings need to be put on the bird's foot when it is around 7-8 days old. Same with your other pigeons, are they rung and have you transferred these rings into your own name, address & loft number with that Union? (Apologies if you already know all this.)

Racing is almost upon us, it's probably already too late to race your existing pigeons, but clubs usually accept late membership applications for racing YBs this year, which start early June.. but there is no harm in asking around the clubs near Reading.

OLDYELLOW · March 28, 2011

Hi Claire , I'm sorry to hear your first hand experience at getting help hasen't been too good . I strongly suggest you join your local club ask the sectary to ask there members to breed you a few ybs to race im sure most be willing to help you out . Go and help out at basketing and stuff get to know the members then im sure they'll get to know you and take you seriously