Wits End

[bhirst]

I know it's all been said before but I have never expreanced anything like this , sparrow hawk hen hit my hens today in flight and clung on to one despite my best efforts ,I could not find it although the crows were going bonkers above the cover was to dence . So after wintering 32 birds now after the pine Martin on the 30th of Dec and half a dozen flights at home and 1 ten mile chuck I now have a grand total of 8 hens and the 1st race on the 16th of April I Carnot see a way forward for not only myself but the sport in general Good luck All.

[walterboswell59]

thats a sore one m8 keep the chin up

[greenbar]

sorry to hear this,u have had a hard 5 mths,that would have been enough for me ,

[ally mac]

That's grim, very hard for you. I had a bad start to last year getting hit all the time, but, at risk of tempting fate, after getting hit around the loft by percy and sparrow hawk a few weeks ago I seem to be having a breather now. There are ways..........

[Blue Chequer Pied]

Gutted for you Bazza. I know exactly how you feel. I have been getting hit by the sparrowhawk regularly. I actually thought it was a peregrine as they were either in the loft or in the sky but it was a sparrowhawk taking them out of the sky. I watched it one one night from way up high circling watching them then it went right into them. It was at them 3 times and I ended up rescuing one from a field about 400 yards from the house over the other side of the A96. Only clue I had was the crows. It is a bloody nightmare. Racing in my mind will be not starting until into May in future as the sparrowhawk is making getting them ready almost impossible.

[john cumming]

Gutted for you Bazza. I know exactly how you feel. I have been getting hit by the sparrowhawk regularly. I actually thought it was a peregrine as they were either in the loft or in the sky but it was a sparrowhawk taking them out of the sky. I watched it one one night from way up high circling watching them then it went right into them. It was at them 3 times and I ended up rescuing one from a field about 400 yards from the house over the other side of the A96. Only clue I had was the crows. It is a bloody nightmare. Racing in my mind will be not starting until into May in future as the sparrowhawk is making getting them ready almost impossible.

 

i agree paul, they are getting bolder all the time as well, we have a hen sparrowhawk perches in the neighbours tree across the back or on my fence at the end of my garden approx 3 feet from my loft?? i will upload pics when i get a minute of the sparrowhawk sat waiting. it just waits for me or my 2 neighbours to let the doos out then she takes flight and they are scattered to the 4 corners, birds come in eventually petrified, BUT!! i have a cunning plan ready to be unleashed

[leslie24williams49]

i agree paul, they are getting bolder all the time as well, we have a hen sparrowhawk perches in the neighbours tree across the back or on my fence at the end of my garden approx 3 feet from my loft?? i will upload pics when i get a minute of the sparrowhawk sat waiting. it just waits for me or my 2 neighbours to let the doos out then she takes flight and they are scattered to the 4 corners, birds come in eventually petrified, BUT!! i have a cunning plan ready to be unleashed

you can,t beat a cunning plan..

[bhirst]

I know am not alone with my plight but it's hard to stay motivated I hope all cunning plans bare fruit .

[Delboy]

I know it's all been said before but I have never expreanced anything like this , sparrow hawk hen hit my hens today in flight and clung on to one despite my best efforts ,I could not find it although the crows were going bonkers above the cover was to dence . So after wintering 32 birds now after the pine Martin on the 30th of Dec and half a dozen flights at home and 1 ten mile chuck I now have a grand total of 8 hens and the 1st race on the 16th of April I Carnot see a way forward for not only myself but the sport in general Good luck All.

 

In 2012 I lost most of my ybs with jets travelling from England up the M74 because of the Olympic Games .It was a complete disaster as I only got 7 birds home from 52 and a couple returned with burnt feathers. I decided to race my 7 ybs to a couple of races to gain some experience. They all came well so I kept them going to every race. Most fanciers were losing stacks of ybs but mine were still hanging in there. The last yb race came and I was informed a couple of pigeons were in 15 miles east of me but 35 minutes went by and I HAD NOTHING.I felt that I had rode my luck with these 7 ybs but to my complete surprise I had all 7 ybs in half an hour when most fanciers failed to time.I couldn't believe it, the Magnificent Seven were still there and looking great. Would I send them on to the SNFC National??? of course I would, the whole lot went and I got 2 in the top 10 west section and all seven home. Dream stuff, but you can make it happen. So, with your 8 birds you can still have a great bit of fun m8, all the very best of luck with them.

Edited March 30, 2016 by Delboy

[john cumming]

I know am not alone with my plight but it's hard to stay motivated I hope all cunning plans bare fruit .

 

It defo wont be back , I. Know its hard to keep motivated havin been decimated last year, but the desire to keep going soon came back,

 

John

[Kyleakin Lofts]

In 2012 I lost most of my ybs with jets travelling up from England up the M74 because of the Olympic Games .It was a complete disaster with me only getting 7 birds home from 52 and a couple returned with burnt feathers. I decided to race my 7 ybs to a couple of races for experience. They all came well so I kept them going to every race. Most fanciers were losing stacks of ybs but mine were still hanging in there. The last yb race came and I was informed a couple of pigeons were in 15 miles east of me but 35 minutes went by and I HAD NOTHING.I felt that I had rode my luck with these 7 ybs but to my complete surprise I got the whole 7 ybs in half an hour when most fanciers failed to time.I couldn't believe it, the Magnificent Seven were still there and looking great. Would I send them on to the SNFC National??? of course I did, the whole lot went and I got 2 in the top 10 west section and all seven home. Dream stuff, but you can make it happen. So, with your 8 birds you can still have a great bit of fun m8, all the very bestof luck m8.

 

Great motivation for anyone Derek.

My first year racing old birds which were yearlings, I gave them their first trainer from 20 miles and was left with 8 pigeons. Rab Anderson noticed my post saying it looked like my season was over before it started, sent me a U Tube song, Things Can Only Get Better.

I soon realised that I should have had them loft fit before putting them into the training basket, thanks for the education Rab. Anyway, I raced the full Fed programme with the exception of the last race because I was told not to send yearlings to it. I finished the season with 4 from 8 and I was completely inexperienced.

Have fun with what you have and keep the chin up. All that can happen is it will be hit again, but I'm sure you'll cope with that.

[bhirst]

Thanks guys I will give it my best shot

[geordie1234]

In 2012 I lost most of my ybs with jets travelling from England up the M74 because of the Olympic Games .It was a complete disaster as I only got 7 birds home from 52 and a couple returned with burnt feathers. I decided to race my 7 ybs to a couple of races to gain some experience. They all came well so I kept them going to every race. Most fanciers were losing stacks of ybs but mine were still hanging in there. The last yb race came and I was informed a couple of pigeons were in 15 miles east of me but 35 minutes went by and I HAD NOTHING.I felt that I had rode my luck with these 7 ybs but to my complete surprise I had all 7 ybs in half an hour when most fanciers failed to time.I couldn't believe it, the Magnificent Seven were still there and looking great. Would I send them on to the SNFC National??? of course I would, the whole lot went and I got 2 in the top 10 west section and all seven home. Dream stuff, but you can make it happen. So, with your 8 birds you can still have a great bit of fun m8, all the very best of luck with them.

Any of them still about del?

 

Tae get 7 from the full programme is unreal

[Delboy]

Any of them still about del?

 

Tae get 7 from the full programme is unreal

 

4 still there m8, all flown 500-600 mls, one has won £2500 in snfc and lsc

Edited March 30, 2016 by Delboy

[Delboy]

Theres 3 of them Geo, the first red and blue have scored in the snfc

[Delboy]

4 still there m8, all flown 500-600 mls, one has won £2500 in snfc and lsc

 

Sorry Geo, just went through them and have 5 from 7. 3 cocks and 2 hens, the other hen has flown the least and that is Carentan last year 474 mls.The rest between 500-606 mls

[geordie1234]

Sorry Geo, just went through them and have 5 from 7. 3 cocks and 2 hens, the other hen has flown the least and that is Carentan last year 474 mls.The rest between 500-606 mls

top class..if only we could breed 7 like that everyear

Edited March 30, 2016 by geordie1234

[greenbar]

top class..if only we could breed 7 like that everyyear

that's all we would need .with birds like that,

[Kyleakin Lofts]

Sorry Geo, just went through them and have 5 from 7. 3 cocks and 2 hens, the other hen has flown the least and that is Carentan last year 474 mls.The rest between 500-606 mls

 

Excellent Derek.

[Big Davie]

Theres 3 of them Geo, the first red and blue have scored in the snfc

Derek

 

Remember the first red as being a bit oh rubbish, if you want I will do you a turn and take it of your hands and dae away wae it for you

[geordie1234]

Belters

[Delboy]

Derek

 

Remember the first red as being a bit oh rubbish, if you want I will do you a turn and take it of your hands and dae away wae it for you

 

Your a gentleman Davie, much appreciated m8 but I know you are very busy at the moment and ill manage to cull it masel , lol

[paddymac]

Sorry Geo, just went through them and have 5 from 7. 3 cocks and 2 hens, the other hen has flown the least and that is Carentan last year 474 mls.The rest between 500-606 mls

Cracking birds Del