Will We Ever Learn?

[Roland]

Now, the greed to steal a march. gain any yard going, and the urge to Race is paramount ... sadly to the detrimental cost and downward trend and spiralling of the so-called sport is in today. Sadly only ever to get worse.

I, like many others, try most seasons for a later start to racing, and of course, a later finish.

Cold winds invariably, plus mostly from the East. Sense! forget the first part none and have nonsense to our peril.

It's a travesty at the expense of the sport and our beloved birds!

 

Look at the returns - again this year already and even half a brain should be able to understand the nonsensible and stupidness yet again practised these past two weeks. Returns. North Rd cancelled. South Road put back a day. Even though the weather forecast and reality was far worse from the South Coast.

 

The results were less than a 5th. Stu 3 from 15 and so on. Bicc I hear went from Falaise France 32 from 2400 after over 6 hours. And so on.

Never mind the twaddle of 'If good enough they will do it'! Does this reflect on how many culls went to the even the short distances?

was the time, not so long ago when early March was considered even too early to mate up. Many 1st weeks in April.

Youngsters, like the old birds, flew the distance. the longer races 240 - 380 miles. Seasons end the problem often was 'Which had to go.

Losses on a Saturday were usually on the loft next morning... 2-3 days and then believed lost.

- Many came back on the Wednesday / Thursday which was basketed on Friday and some even won!

 

Youngster healthier bred. Also held their feathering longer.

 

Now we know that we can easily fly our birds even into Mid to Late September. To far better weather at that - Ok 1976 and a few over years were poor weatherwise ... But then regardless when born or sent it would have been the same.

 

Take the so stupid scenario of the longest race. On the North most seasons Lerwick.

'Must be the Saturday NEAREST to June the 22nd! Because it means 6 MINUTES LONGER DAYLIGHT! EEK!

When it was proven that that liberation then was liable for very unsettled weather. Can be clear one minute and foggy 2 minutes later!

 

Yet in July times were vastly superior! Timing in at 2 O'clock was not unheard off with far better returns!

Youngster losses stating in August fared far better. All facts.

And yet some / most rush to get the breeding over and on the Dark or Light system. Gain a march? Very expensive at that... and the costs each season is rising.

 

I get jeered because I don't entertain racing till in May!

I wonder how many wished that they hadn't sent these two past weeks?

Indeed JUST how many wished today that there hadn't been racing last two weeks.

Would have meant the same amount of races, but far more pigeons come seasons end ...

Does one really think, believe that they are giving themselves AND the sport fair innings?

Well, I suppose that depends on who is 'Tickling their' ear' and who they follow and vote for...

plus preparing to restock so very often. Yes, breed more to compensate their' losses.

Any and every excuse is made bar looking in the mirror.

Lofts full of culls means now one- one too many are prepared to lose many good birds for the hope and wing of a prayer that they might, just might have a winner ... and HANG THE COST! JMO.

Off course in the quagmire there will always be some that excel, or do well, but as to eventually what cost?

[VAGIN]

BEST POST I HAVE READ IN A LONG TIME .

[andy Burgess]

another nostalgic view of days gone bye. wasnt it so much better back then ? how i miss my horse and cart , plus fours and short back and sides ! beer at 4d a pint ,,,,,,,, yawn , yawn , jeer , jeer

[yeboah]

Agree 100%

My birds will go to their first race this weekend 140 miles temperatures to be in double figures

The weather leading up to racing was horrendous with snow and bitter cold temperatures For those who trained it was suicidal for the birds

The east wind last few days has been bitter at ground level never mind altitude even morning frosts

Started birds late last year and they flew excellent right through to 500 mls

The losses in the federation already have been shocking

The seasons have changed fanciers should follow suit (but they wont)

You make your own decisions in this sport

No one else to blame but the man in the mirror

One thing I have learned over the years is birds put out in these conditions early on wont be at the top of the table come the business end of the season

[Roland]

No merit in the 'Saying times there are a changing' Andy. And I appreciate the fact if one can't or doesn't understand, then it is far easier to riddle cure - albeit with tongue in cheek - or poor scorn up on the adage.

But progress is often made and followed to great costs. Fact!

Unfortunately history is stacked full of disastrous following on and side effects from these very changed system and happening. Y/b sickness is a prevalent one. Lost

What makes me smile Andy regards your post is the FACT that you have reverted back - for whatever reason - regards training and racing.

Results, from what I gather from your' posts seem for the present every bit as good, and take my word for it, if continued you WILL be blessed with better and more stable results. True, but then you come across as being very shy in voicing the facts. (Why! because of people pressure and their' views) Get the pair t grow and spout, 2-3 years time you WILL have the last say.... But then if proven the vast majority of fanciers will carry on in the same mould.

I post as I've experienced and DONE. Never mind the tittle tattle and behind hand titters.

I have no problem sending yearlings / two year olds 150 - 200 miles first time in the basket. Have only had one winner, but mainly good returns and in top 6 placings. fact!

Yes I expect riddle and misbelieving's from others. Sad I guess, but truth will out. Do I complicate others doing as such? No, every one to their' own.

Enough another truth Paid 4 years ago good prices for two pigeons. Went to a national winning friend and bought the pair mates.

Mated together. Cross mated with other proven birds. None left.

Last two yearlings went 15 miles first toss 2 weeks ago. Nary a feather. Will save on feed. Yet I have mostly, and truthfully, the linage of those that went without training. Go figure ...

yawn jut jut cough splutter.

[Roland]

yeboah truth.: The east wind last few days has been bitter at ground level never mind altitude even morning frosts ... And yet a so - called National club sent to France! Befuddles the minds.

 

...: Started birds late last year and they flew excellent right through to 500 mls

The losses in the federation already have been shocking ... say no more, because next season, as some clubs have already, will press again for a March beginning.

 

Yeboah: No one else to blame but the man in the mirror

One thing I have learned over the years is birds put out in these conditions early on wont be at the top of the table come the business end of the season. So very true.

 

Many clamour that young birds racing longer distances being stopped.

Why? Because they have ruined the birds in many regards and WANT the club and other flyers to protect THEM, so that THEY don't have to make the choice of not sending... Out of the Averages for starter so ..

 

One couldn't make it up, let alone write a book.

And yet next season the same eh! 'If one can do it, then YOUR'S should' baloney nonsense will stands firm.

But like Yeboh states

[BANDIT]

Great post............starting later would also cut down on sparrow hawk attacks around the loft.also true we get much better racing weather in september and october...start in may finish late october try it for 2 or 3 years.....

[Roland]

You know, and I pride myself in being able to listen and discern, where possible, what others have noted, and what I see.

For example, the truth is, I am lucky to have an open loft with an aviary full length in the front. I certainly appreciate that many aren't able to enjoy as such Many mornings The birds are out real early... sometimes - depending on weather not at all, or puffed up at best opposing the effects of wind, heat or rain etc. Some morning not out at all. Even leaving wide doors open they stay inside the loft. ( I feel, rightly or wrongly, that this help to harden them up, and be c[prepare a little for the bad days racing and distances... I certainly see no ill effects.

Yes I spread grit outside on the cobbled pavements and they like to pick around that and the garden.

Mostly they circle a little and then either go in the loft or pott around out side. Yes even the cocks chasing the hens is as rebust by any means till the sun is really out.

When opening the traps, they come out in dribs and drabs etc.

Now after a poor weather span, TODAY they were up and away constantly. Chasing the hens and madly trying to impress.

Now I sumise and know the answer only too well. THEY wouldn't have been ready last week, or before to race. Fact. nother two weeks of this and they will be loft fit. Then a race or two will sharpen them up... careful care to plan what races they will be readied for. Like an idiot, for silly reasons and against better knowing judgement I have tossed twice... They simple showed me that they weren't ready. Another day like today, then if I wanted too I can take them with confidence. Simple realism.

[THE FIFER]

good words Roland, i think nowadays a lot of going against natural ways, deciding when you want birds to moult, and what other birds breed in December, January etc, also having to put large numbers of birds away, wasnt heard off going back, and birds flew and raced, and made it home,

[Roland]

They also flew as many races, race points and many the whole program.

In my first post I never, not one iota referred to the '... another nostalgic view of days gone bye. wasnt it so much better back then ? how i miss my horse and cart , plus fours and short back and sides ! beer at 4d a pint ,,,,,,,, yawn , yawn , jeer , jeer...' as Andy tries to imply and twist the context.

 

However the realism is that as many races were covered. Returns far superior and velocities sometime far better ... oft times later days ones are better. But isn't that the fact that the weather conditions favour more and stronger westerly winds!¬ That is a HELPING hand to most of our birds which doesn't distract from the prowess of former pigeons at all!

From Egyptian time and Julius Caesar etc. pigeons proved their' worth in this regards.

We gave our birds the very best of all chances, fitness, condition, and enhancement of NATURAL motivation and allowed the birds to build up and have a good constitution. A real homing ability sadly so lacking in so many pigeons today ... again the cause is, and must be laid at our own doors.

You know why a pigeon drives it hen? why it is important, and why happens.