Yearling Absolutely Bouncing

REDCHEQHEN · July 1, 2014

Lovely looking blue pied cock - not eaten much this morning he's 'full of it' - hasn't been raced since beginning of May - when he came home from the race hawked - and not a feather left in his tail - tail has suddenly grown back - and he's 'bouncing', raced on roundabout - his hen has done OK while he has stayed at home - we may be able to get a training toss into him before the weekend - this weekends race is 130 miles - send him? What if we can't get a training toss in before weekend? Thoughts please

Michael J Burden · July 1, 2014

I think he needs training at least once and someone at home to see how he arrives. He may be carrying an unseen injury which if sent 130 miles from the top of the loft could be the end of him.

If he is uninjured I think as long as he has had some sort of racing and the weather for Saturday is OK he should be OK if sent from the top of the shed.

Also it is nearly the end of the old bird season is he worth keeping until next year? If so why not just keep him home. MJB

walterboswell59 · July 1, 2014

if you cant toss let him out on his own and flag him morning and night if you can get an hour at night and anything over half an hour in the morning he will be fit enough and his keeness should do the rest if he has any brains good luck with him

REDCHEQHEN · July 1, 2014

When I say 'hawked' - he had a small puncture wound from tallons (as well as losing his tail)- so had a lucky escape

July 1, 2014

I think if he is full of himself he will be naturally fit and 130 miles is only a sprint so he should do it easily. jmo

Tony C · July 1, 2014

I've found when yearlings are bouncing like that a short training toss back to their hen helps focus their mind. In this case it would also give him a bit of confidence after being hit on he's last outing.

JohnQuinn · July 1, 2014

I've found when yearlings are bouncing like that a short training toss back to their hen helps focus their mind. In this case it would also give him a bit of confidence after being hit on he's last outing.

Good shout Tony, i doubt much more would be needed and the incentive of seeing his hen should get him home sharpish.

frankdooman · July 1, 2014

If he's as fit and well as he looks let him out him self if he rakes the sky for over hr send if you can afford to loose him if not keep till next year they are only a yearling for one year they are old birds for the rest of there life's

Michael J Burden · July 1, 2014

If you say only small holes due to talons and a lost tail which has returned I would send him. No training too late now to get him fit but if your wife or friend is going anywhere even one mile take him single up just to get him used to it again. 130 is nothing in distance wise. MJB

Novice · July 1, 2014

If you get a trainer in then send him in any weather.

If you don't get a trainer in then only send him if the forecast is favourable (not a head wind).

I believe that one of the pigeons timed from the SNFC difficult race at the weekend had only been as far as Otterbutn this year a distance of about 100 miles to the home loft. I have no idea what other training it had but if the bird is up for the job he will do it.

REDCHEQHEN · July 1, 2014

Photo of said yearling - and one of my dog looking on!

If you get a trainer in then send him in any weather.
If you don't get a trainer in then only send him if the forecast is favourable (not a head wind).

I believe that one of the pigeons timed from the SNFC difficult race at the weekend had only been as far as Otterbutn this year a distance of about 100 miles to the home loft. I have no idea what other training it had but if the bird is up for the job he will do it.

He was raced out to 270 miles in May (Eastbourne) and was home late on the day with his tail etc missing (had all races before then as well - about 6)

showman · July 1, 2014

If it was me, I'd leave him 'til next year. Yearlings can be un-stable at the best of times, he'll have tried his best so far,and after he gets hawked with puncture wound and tail removed, he battles his way home, doesn't he deserve a good break to hopefully give of his best again next year. Surely your racing team won't depend on him being there this year (for what's left of it)? Your choice! OMO.