Yearlings Never Raced As Yb'S

hibby · November 5, 2012

Anyone raced yearling cocks that had not raced as young birds with any success? Got 16 cocks from this year and only 6 old cocks. So going to give the young cocks ago next season. I'm not bothered about them winning as there all distance birds intended for long races in 2 or 3 years time. What I'm curious about is will they be on an even par as 2 yr olds if raced carefully as yearlings? I'm going to treat them as young birds and will only race inland next year. Once they have reared a round of youngsters dec/jan I will begin training them and basket training them. The plan is to build them up to 80-100miles training tosses before season starts as first race is 80 followed by 110 miles. Any thoughts on this or has any one had birds similar who they have pulled through? As I said these are long distance birds so results this year aren't to important that's up to the 6 older cocks.

Thanks in advance

Hibby

Delboy · November 5, 2012

I am training mine at the moment from 12 miles.They ve been there about 6-8 times now so they will be ready for next year.If they dont train, they go out around the loft.Sparrowhawks chasing them for a couple of hours lets them know what to expect in the coming years and they get wise to it.Some of mine havent thrown a flight , they were that late but they train just the same.They will be expected to compete to 280 miles at least this year coming, no probs.I timed a latebred from Ypres 456 miles in its 5th race of its life so they have either got it or they havent imo.Another 2 yr old latebred timed from 532 miles in its 5th ever race.The bottom line is, I think they need trained in year of birth, no matter if late or not.

lanarkshire lad · November 5, 2012

Anyone raced yearling cocks that had not raced as young birds with any success? Got 16 cocks from this year and only 6 old cocks. So going to give the young cocks ago next season. I'm not bothered about them winning as there all distance birds intended for long races in 2 or 3 years time. What I'm curious about is will they be on an even par as 2 yr olds if raced carefully as yearlings? I'm going to treat them as young birds and will only race inland next year. Once they have reared a round of youngsters dec/jan I will begin training them and basket training them. The plan is to build them up to 80-100miles training tosses before season starts as first race is 80 followed by 110 miles. Any thoughts on this or has any one had birds similar who they have pulled through? As I said these are long distance birds so results this year aren't to important that's up to the 6 older cocks.
Thanks in advance

Hibby

I dont know where you live and how the BOP problem is but if you take 16 cocks 80mile to 100mile by themselfs in this area you will be really lucky to any left plus i dont think taking them that distance is needed 40mile is plenty.

hibby · November 6, 2012

I dont know where you live and how the BOP problem is but if you take 16 cocks 80mile to 100mile by themselfs in this area you will be really lucky to any left plus i dont think taking them that distance is needed 40mile is plenty.

BOP where lucky in the fact there's only sparrow hawks in the area (Durham) no falcons as of yet. The hawks only ever take birds sitting on loft or on garden. So if there not exerciseing there in the loft. Baths etc they can get into aivary. My main concern was would it it be worth it but with 17 suppose it will be a good test for future years or if we ever have late breds we want to race.

Fly_caster · November 6, 2012

I think that you will find it difficult to find a suitable temperature to get your bords as far as 80 - 100 miles before June next year, when some of your early, shorter races will be over. One of thebiggest causes of yearlings being lost is cold winds - they really do not like them.....thats not to say that they can't be trained, just not at that distance IMO.

Cheers & best of luck with them,

Steve

john cumming · November 7, 2012

ive not raced any of my young birds for the last 5 years or so & have won our club old bird averages for the last 5 years running so it works for me , but i have and do train the youngsters up to our first race point (68 miles) some times further and keep them on open hole through the winter with the odd winter training toss.

john

December 24, 2012

train them again as yearlings even take them along with the young birds. should be some terrific 2 year old pigeons if they are bred right in the first place. and even better at 3 if you don't over do it when you do put them racing. distance requires patience anyway. take no notice of the exception, unless you have one.

Delboy · December 24, 2012

train them again as yearlings even take them along with the young birds. should be some terrific 2 year old pigeons if they are bred right in the first place. and even better at 3 if you don't over do it when you do put them racing. distance requires patience anyway. take no notice of the exception, unless you have one.

Sound advice, my thoughts exactly