Natural Daily Diary
#1
Posted 31 January 2016 - 22:41 PM
At present my loft is geared to Roundabout however the two 10 x 10ft sections will undergo a bit of modification and be turned into 12 nest boxes in each section with 12 V perches above them.
My Race team is roughly 25 pairs, mostly yearlings due to new stock purchased last year although a couple of 2/3 year old's have raced out to 550 miles and have picked up a couple of Fed positions.
Most of you Basic Members will have realised in my past writings that I am "Old School" and have accomplished what some have aspired to, and others would wish to.
I am not antithetical just set in my way's through succesful experience and if my ramblings can bring you what you want to achieve then I will be happy for you.
On the off chance any reader wishes to know what my credentials are let me say that I have won everything I wanted too win and my endeavours over the years brought Top Fanciers to my door offering me Loft Manager's positions of which I only accepted one taking him to heights not experienced in 25 years. The others being T.C.Ogilvie,at Stirling. Brian and Cornelia Long,at Gipping. C.J.Williams, at Longborough which I accepted and spent my happiest days.
#7
Posted 1 February 2016 - 09:43 AM

Peter, I wait with bated breath to read of your exploits. I think the value of the old ways have been discarded by many, in the name of progress, but the progress is indeed doubtful.

Life nowadays is too fast, pigeons should be enjoyed as a leisure pursuit at a leisurely pace.

#10
Posted 1 February 2016 - 11:43 AM
I'm sure there's something to be learnt by following this thread, novices take heed.

I started out with nothing and still have most of it left
Tony Calverley
#12
Posted 1 February 2016 - 13:03 PM
Besides Natural in some areas are doing every bit as good as Widowerhood etc. Especially at the distance and hard races -- why many re - mate for the distances.
I think Peter you will do well.
#13
Posted 1 February 2016 - 13:18 PM
Tony C, on 1 February 2016 - 11:43 AM, said:
I'm sure there's something to be learnt by following this thread, novices take heed.
old knowledge,is power as they say!!,a old school fancier that sadly is no longer
with us,taught me the sport i still use his methods in my system today,it was frowned apon
by other pigeons fanciers,but they got a shock on race day,,,
am glad he took the time to teach me this,as now the knowledge lives on,and is not forgotten
am still using what he taught me in this futuristic day and age,we live in,and it still works perfect!
#14
Posted 1 February 2016 - 16:33 PM
Club pools were £45 paid out back in early 1960 and the 43 lofts in the club were all determined to lift the money with their pooler. Training was done by train to either Carstairs or Beatock 35/45 miles and liberated by the station master whether it rained snowed fog or sunshine, but our birds were healthier and hardier then than now and losses were not as severe. Beans was the staple diet and if you could afford them New Zealand Maples were mixed in with a little Cintuentinha Maize. This mixture was No1.and would take you to 250 miles. Extra maize was added to take you the distance and was termed No2 unlike the rubbish we feed nowadays but that is for another day.
To-day in the loft after cleaning out all the Hens were vaccinated and moved into the aviary loft where they will stay until pairing on the 23rd March and all birds were fed with a rubbishy mixture coated with Ground Nut oil and ""Flight Path"" which is what I give them on the 1st of the month every month through out the year. My rubbishy mixture is an Irish Supreme Mix which bring another litle snippet from the archive. In the past the Irish wanted to keep all the Scottish strays and the Scots wanted to keep all the Irish strays as we both thought they were superior. That's DOO men for ye.

#15
Posted 1 February 2016 - 17:37 PM
regards peter
#16
Posted 1 February 2016 - 18:04 PM
When I first saw C.J's palatial house in it's wonderful Cotswold setting I was rather over awed at the spleandour off the estate and rather intimidated being a town boy rather than a country bumpkin however the welcome he showered on Mary and I soon put both of us at ease.
C.J had a marvellous personality and never at any time were we hired hands but trusted friends being introduced as such to the many visitors he entertained both in the house or beautiful award winning gardens which were open to the public at certain times of the year with all donations going to charity.In fact not many know but C.J. set up the Sue Ryder charity supplying shops through-out the county out of his own pocket. His charitable side would have given him a Knighthood however Prince Charles was a frequent visitor along with Diana when both were visiting Highgrove and when it transpired a divorce was on the cards due to Charlie's dalliances with Camilla C.J. told the prince he was no longer welcome at his house in the future. "End of Knighthood".
More to continue:-
#17
Posted 1 February 2016 - 20:28 PM
kingziemckay, on 1 February 2016 - 13:18 PM, said:
with us,taught me the sport i still use his methods in my system today,it was frowned apon
by other pigeons fanciers,but they got a shock on race day,,,
am glad he took the time to teach me this,as now the knowledge lives on,and is not forgotten
am still using what he taught me in this futuristic day and age,we live in,and it still works perfect!
Looks like you have a good system in place, what system do you fly.
What sort of birdage does the club you fly in send each week, what federation is it you fly in.
Holly Bank Lofts. :)
What goes around comes around, and i will be there to see it, ;)
#18
Posted 1 February 2016 - 21:19 PM
geordie1234, on 1 February 2016 - 11:57 AM, said:
ATB Peter looked forward to reading your post

I gave up on targets a while back as it occurred to me that if you dont reach your target then disapointment ensues which can lead to despondancy, so to enjoy myself I will set a bird up for a race and if it wins then that is a bonus if it is first to the loft then that is not a disaster as it has tried its best but perhaps another day at a different race point might do the trick. One thing for sure is through observation you have mastered that birds potential and "observation" is the key word.
#19
Posted 1 February 2016 - 21:29 PM
peter pandy, on 1 February 2016 - 20:19 PM, said:
How are you retarding the wing moult?
#20
Posted 1 February 2016 - 21:37 PM
peter pandy, on 1 February 2016 - 21:19 PM, said:
Good way of looking at it I suppose