Natural

[Guest johnhunter]

PETER you certainly can name drop,its a pity you have learned sweet f all lol

[peter pandy]

Sitting with the Hens last Wednesday for a while and it started me thinking as to why they were all sitting on their perches and looking bored with their circumstances so moved my seat through to the Cock section and they were all standing on their block like soldiers but they too appeared to have no purpose in life which had me in a quandary.

Situations such as this left me in no doubt that I was not keeping pigeons in this state of abnormality any longer and would rectify the situation there and then.

First off all I blocked off the top row of Nest Boxes as I could no longer reach up to them in comfort and removed all the fronts puting them away in the shed for perhaps another day then opened the sliding door and leaving them to their own devices went and had a cuppa.

Thursday morning, had me over the park cutting reeds and with the birds given the freedom to do as they wished either inside or outside the Loft I dumped a large basket of reeds on the loft floor and nest building commenced into clay bowls which had been sprayed with Nippon Fly and Moth killer. Thursday evening saw a different pigeon as they were industrious in all they were doing much to my delight as the loft was now a buzz of activity and much to-ing and fro-ing with wing clapping around the vicinity had me well pleased.. This is what I kept pigeons for and NATURAL is the name off the game from now on.

Friday had me sending 17 Two Year Old's for their first flight at 116 miles and Saturday dawned totally overcast with a South East wind and I was well and truly stuffed finishing 2 minutes behind the Club winner and 4th dropping three hens which were raced out to 300 miles last year.. Where do they get to I ask myself but cannot get an answer.

Basket Training will have to recommence as the flock has no intention of training or running for the alloted minimum of 45 minutes daily and with petrol being so expensive I am going round with Cap in Hand to the family for donations. Roundabout, Widowhood stuff it in my opinion.

[geordie1234]

Good on you pandy mate... one thing I miss about natural is them coming and going and doing their own things...always enjoy sitting back and watching....sometimes widowhood etc is jst too regimented for me lol

[peter pandy]

Aye George I think we have lost the plot and have forgotten what we are missing in the pleasure they can give you when you sit back and start enjoying it all again.

[dal2]

Sitting with the Hens last Wednesday for a while and it started me thinking as to why they were all sitting on their perches and looking bored with their circumstances so moved my seat through to the Cock section and they were all standing on their block like soldiers but they too appeared to have no purpose in life which had me in a quandary.

Situations such as this left me in no doubt that I was not keeping pigeons in this state of abnormality any longer and would rectify the situation there and then.

First off all I blocked off the top row of Nest Boxes as I could no longer reach up to them in comfort and removed all the fronts puting them away in the shed for perhaps another day then opened the sliding door and leaving them to their own devices went and had a cuppa.

Thursday morning, had me over the park cutting reeds and with the birds given the freedom to do as they wished either inside or outside the Loft I dumped a large basket of reeds on the loft floor and nest building commenced into clay bowls which had been sprayed with Nippon Fly and Moth killer. Thursday evening saw a different pigeon as they were industrious in all they were doing much to my delight as the loft was now a buzz of activity and much to-ing and fro-ing with wing clapping around the vicinity had me well pleased.. This is what I kept pigeons for and NATURAL is the name off the game from now on.

Friday had me sending 17 Two Year Old's for their first flight at 116 miles and Saturday dawned totally overcast with a South East wind and I was well and truly stuffed finishing 2 minutes behind the Club winner and 4th dropping three hens which were raced out to 300 miles last year.. Where do they get to I ask myself but cannot get an answer.

Basket Training will have to recommence as the flock has no intention of training or running for the alloted minimum of 45 minutes daily and with petrol being so expensive I am going round with Cap in Hand to the family for donations. Roundabout, Widowhood stuff it in my opinion.

Training? Thought you gave that up?

[peter pandy]

Stevie I have explained in detail the reason !!. LAST 2 LINES

[dal2]

Stevie I have explained in detail the reason !!. LAST 2 LINES

Stick wae the widows.....save yer pension lol

[peter pandy]

Seven days have passed since normal services were resumed, with the Hens laying after five days and nine pairs down including two Hens pairing to-gether although I was sure a Cock was making up a threesome [lucky beggar] all is going to plan.

Exercise has ceased altogether with the skies resounding to wing clapping instead and the birds especially the Cocks sailing around with a Hen in tow or vice-versa and a joy to watch. The difference in the loft has been transformed and its much happier inmates now than before.

Feeding is being maintained at 28 grams per bird including Fats for the run up to basketing and cheese is given as a tid bit daily which some are getting more than others by jumping onto my knees and taking beakfull's from the lump as I break it off and crumbs stuck to my overalls. Jack who comes into the loft with me keeps sticking his nose into the trough in an attempt to move the birds over and has been getting it swatted repeatedly and cannot understand why they are so aggressive to him and I could only laugh when two Cocks were fighting over a bottom nest box and he tried to split them up and for his troubles they both went for him with their wings.

The loft will be devoid of any Cocks this week as they are all ear marked for the 160 mile race with the Hens going next week. One can only wait and accept the outcome..

[peter pandy]

Forecast for this week-end is a bit iffy so I will ascertain whether to send after getting a forecast to-morrow.

[peter pandy]

With all the Hens having layed over the past couple of days and a forecast that appears reasonable for this time of year I have sent all the Cocks to the 160 mile Ripon race and hope all goes well for them.

At the Club to-night I was surprised to find that I had made 13th Fed last week from 112 miles with a first time in a basket bird this year. Still not training and a little experiment to see if I can get away with it. Edwin "Derek" only trained prior to the Nationals and done OK in the club so will see how it goes with the feeding regime I have them on, They certainly handle OK and tighten up well in the basket to my satisfaction..

Having cleared any nesting material from the loft on Wednesday evening I threw some reeds down on the floor this morning and all was lifted into the nests in an hour which should encourage a bit of motivation into them..

[walterboswell59]

no training you can get hanged for that on here peter lol good luck m8

[andy Burgess]

no training you can get hanged for that on here peter lol good luck m8

 

:emoticon-0136-giggle:

[alec guinness]

Sitting with the Hens last Wednesday for a while and it started me thinking as to why they were all sitting on their perches and looking bored with their circumstances so moved my seat through to the Cock section and they were all standing on their block like soldiers but they too appeared to have no purpose in life which had me in a quandary.

Situations such as this left me in no doubt that I was not keeping pigeons in this state of abnormality any longer and would rectify the situation there and then.

First off all I blocked off the top row of Nest Boxes as I could no longer reach up to them in comfort and removed all the fronts puting them away in the shed for perhaps another day then opened the sliding door and leaving them to their own devices went and had a cuppa.

Thursday morning, had me over the park cutting reeds and with the birds given the freedom to do as they wished either inside or outside the Loft I dumped a large basket of reeds on the loft floor and nest building commenced into clay bowls which had been sprayed with Nippon Fly and Moth killer. Thursday evening saw a different pigeon as they were industrious in all they were doing much to my delight as the loft was now a buzz of activity and much to-ing and fro-ing with wing clapping around the vicinity had me well pleased.. This is what I kept pigeons for and NATURAL is the name off the game from now on.

Friday had me sending 17 Two Year Old's for their first flight at 116 miles and Saturday dawned totally overcast with a South East wind and I was well and truly stuffed finishing 2 minutes behind the Club winner and 4th dropping three hens which were raced out to 300 miles last year.. Where do they get to I ask myself but cannot get an answer.

Basket Training will have to recommence as the flock has no intention of training or running for the alloted minimum of 45 minutes daily and with petrol being so expensive I am going round with Cap in Hand to the family for donations. Roundabout, Widowhood stuff it in my opinion.

 

Good post Peter.

 

Sitting with the Hens last Wednesday for a while and it started me thinking as to why they were all sitting on their perches and looking bored with their circumstances so moved my seat through to the Cock section and they were all standing on their block like soldiers but they too appeared to have no purpose in life which had me in a quandary.

Situations such as this left me in no doubt that I was not keeping pigeons in this state of abnormality any longer and would rectify the situation there and then.

First off all I blocked off the top row of Nest Boxes as I could no longer reach up to them in comfort and removed all the fronts puting them away in the shed for perhaps another day then opened the sliding door and leaving them to their own devices went and had a cuppa.

Thursday morning, had me over the park cutting reeds and with the birds given the freedom to do as they wished either inside or outside the Loft I dumped a large basket of reeds on the loft floor and nest building commenced into clay bowls which had been sprayed with Nippon Fly and Moth killer. Thursday evening saw a different pigeon as they were industrious in all they were doing much to my delight as the loft was now a buzz of activity and much to-ing and fro-ing with wing clapping around the vicinity had me well pleased.. This is what I kept pigeons for and NATURAL is the name off the game from now on.

Friday had me sending 17 Two Year Old's for their first flight at 116 miles and Saturday dawned totally overcast with a South East wind and I was well and truly stuffed finishing 2 minutes behind the Club winner and 4th dropping three hens which were raced out to 300 miles last year.. Where do they get to I ask myself but cannot get an answer.

Basket Training will have to recommence as the flock has no intention of training or running for the alloted minimum of 45 minutes daily and with petrol being so expensive I am going round with Cap in Hand to the family for donations. Roundabout, Widowhood stuff it in my opinion.

 

Good post Peter.

[peter pandy]

Surprised to find a Late Bred in the loft that has just returned after 14 days from Otterburn, although a bit of body lost it will recover but because of the stupid race programne I cannot see where I can get another attempt to race him this year unless its a 150 mile jump in three weeks time.

[peter pandy]

When I was a youngster my Mum used to take my Brother and I on a mystery tour with no destination advertised on a bus and people used to try and guess where we would end up usually at a seaside resort and I am sure our Fed birds if they could speak they would be saying something along the same lines !!.. Well Cheq whaur dae ye think we're gaun the nicht says White Flight ? Heard the Boss sayin Ripon is the reply.. A couple of hours later the curtains are drawn back and Cheq shouts right lads we are at Ripon and last out is a dumpling.. A couple of hours later and the curtains are shut and Cheq asks all in the basket what the expletive removed* !! where are we going now, Back home is the reply we hope as its a cold wind out there. Two hours later and the curtains are pulled back a wee bit and Black Hen in the next basket says she can see horses out there !! ah well maybe we are going horse racing instead says Cheq pied and all agree except the ladies in the next basket who complain they are not looking their best for a day at the races when the curtains are shut again and with a jolt we are on the move again. What was that all about say's Blue Cock as I did not know they had a Race Course at Tow Law and I remember as I was here last week and the lorry trundles along for another couple of hours.. By this time all are getting a bit anxious and Blue Pied say's We could be at the coast the time we have been in here and a bit off muffled laughter ensues with the ladies in the next basket beginning to shine up to the guys who have not seen a female for a week or two and vice versa, Do you fancy makin it to the first tree we see for a bit of how's your father say's some of the ladies to those Cock's who are trying to get into their basket for nookie when the curtains are pulled back again.. Whaur are we noo is the shout that goes up from a large amount of beaks OH NO its Slaughterdale they cry and we are the menu...To be cont;.

[andy Burgess]

[peter pandy]

To cont;- Slaughterdale dae you not mean Slaughterburn alias Otterburn ya dafty says Cheq to all those who could not stop shaking in their feathers and we can make it out of here by going round aw they trees rather than straight over the forest for 20 miles getting ambushed every mile or so say's Cheq, Meanwhile Blue pied is whispering to all his Midland pals and they are in agreement with the tactic Blue Pied has come up with. Shouting out as loud as he can he states see aw they Central birds they are aw fearties and will take the long road round but Central's Chequer shouts back No we're no and when released from the darkness of the stupid wicker baskets they all burst out and head for home. Meanwhile all the Midland mob hang back and leave the Central eejits to plough a furrow through giving them a slower velocity but better safe than dead..

[bluey]

Racing natural too I will add my bit also.

 

I feed a small amount of food 4/6 ounces for 30 or so birds before letting out for am exercise at 8 00 am ish then a similar amount after loft flying. Then 4/6 ounces at midday.

4/6 ounces before pm exercise at 4 00 pm ish then fed to appetite to finish the day off. The timings depend on my good lady`s working hours but are never more than an hour apart. They generally have 1 ounce or a touch more per day depending on appetite.

 

They are on an Irish mix with 2 parts depurative and 1 part condition seed (double Peter`s recommendation I`m afraid) from Sat till Wed then on a mixture of two widowhood mixes and 1 part condition seed till marking. Any bird that is in it`s box also gets a peanut while I am scraping out, needless to say they all get one am and pm after being on this routine for some time.

 

I think of this as hopper feeding by hand.

 

Using this method my birds have done very well winning a few races into a location furthest to the west in my club and federation.

[peter pandy]

Saturday had me enjoying a beautiful cloudless sky from early in the morning and it was a relief to hear they had been liberated all be it from Otterburn when it should have been Ripon. I reckoned 17.15 would be about right from a 15.35 lib into a North East wind at 85 miles and expecting them from the South East was surprised when one flew over my head from the West and hit the landing board at 17.17 to take Third club beaten by 23 seconds, all except one of my arrivals came back from the West and at the end of the day I had 15 from the 18 Cocks sent with one on the Sunday meant my dropping 2.

Quite pleased so far with the team as I am competing against fanciers with nearly 3 times the entries I send so will change nothing. Losses are something we just have to accept in this day and age.. Mind you we had those type of losses 50 years ago so nothing has really changed..

[Guest johnhunter]

To cont;- Slaughterdale dae you not mean Slaughterburn alias Otterburn ya dafty says Cheq to all those who could not stop shaking in their feathers and we can make it out of here by going round aw they trees rather than straight over the forest for 20 miles getting ambushed every mile or so say's Cheq, Meanwhile Blue pied is whispering to all his Midland pals and they are in agreement with the tactic Blue Pied has come up with. Shouting out as loud as he can he states see aw they Central birds they are aw fearties and will take the long road round but Central's Chequer shouts back No we're no and when released from the darkness of the stupid wicker baskets they all burst out and head for home. Meanwhile all the Midland mob hang back and leave the Central eejits to plough a furrow through giving them a slower velocity but better safe than dead..

straight jacket for pandy lol

[peter pandy]

A two year old Hen returned to-day from Tow Law 11 days past, minus half her tail and some cover flights so that will be another finished for the season. Still it's alive and kicking..

In the loft the flock are still keen on the nests and with them sitting 7-12 days on Saturday I might see them put a bit of extra effort in for the 185 miles. A hand full of reeds and nest condition on Friday will be their only motivation and to be honest they certainly appear to be more alert around the locality never standing still and flapping about the sky makes them a delight to watch and observe those who continually land and take off after a minute or so.

As the team are out from 08.15 till 11.00 hrs in the morning with an open loft to come and go as they please I have no problem whistling them in for their 10 grams per bird feed.. Locked in till 15.00 when the loft is again opened till 20,00 Hrs and fed as much as they wish as long as nothing is left after 1 Hour when the feeders are emptied into a dustbin and hung up. With Barley in the mix they dont appear to be heavy and handle round, light and tight, Just the way I want them..

[peter pandy]

straight jacket for pandy lol

Just a bit of light hearted nonsense to relieve the boredom John. :emoticon-0136-giggle:

[Guest johnhunter]

Just a bit of light hearted nonsense to relieve the boredom John. :emoticon-0136-giggle:

boredom, you are in your prime peter

[peter pandy]

boredom, you are in your prime peter

Are you attempting to be facetious ??.

[peter pandy]

In the loft this evening after their meal I observed three spare Cocks treading each other with a non participating Light Chequer Cock attempting to fight them off each other. The strange thing is it was a Blue Bar yesterday. What a pity there is not an Open Race this week. Not to worry though a handfull of reeds to-morrow scattered about the floor will have them lifted into the nests. For those interested no training was accomplished this week again.