Roland

Hi John It goes to show that people have very different success with many different lines and families, the main thing is to find the birds that suit you. On the whole Gaby pigeons havnt been successful in the West Country, maybe as they have to fly against the wind every week (only a guess) yet they have done some real damage in the South East. I make the wind comment as i know they didnt excel in the West Midlands too but i have noticed they have done really well up the east side. Stu Well Swilcox, would say the first part is correct in principle, but the other way round :-/. Moreso, I believe, once you've set your system the birds that find they like it, that it suit them will do well. Wind, well no creature realy has any time for the wind I fear .... though a little headwind / breeze on a hottish day would be a boon I guess.

I remember a mate, who used to work on the Gas / Oil Rigs installation. Said that they had to know pretty much definate just what, why and how the weather was going to be. Said that they used - like our Fed did too at one time, but members complained of costs when there was all the othersfreebie's about - Any way he said that they were acruate to the minute or so. And used to relay what the read out use o be. Pretty impressive. Don't know whether they still do it. Asked regards our Fed using them again, and the moan went up about cost... I honestly don't think it was too dear... but I suppose against nowt it is.... But the phone calls up and down the line of flight, and adjacent line, must cost money eh! :-/

Must admit again, I seem hawk free luckily. Had two nesting each side of my loft, but haven't seen them of late... Some one must love me.... Probably me loving myself lol ;) :P ;D ;D ;D

Very Very true Les. The noses drop like flies when asked.... and the RSPB have weaved a very intricate story and well bedded in. But if the sport did get off it's *expletive removed*, and did fight back with a three prong attack, and in cahoots with orther concerned bodies, it would be a start. Now I for one am fed up, as must be Les and a few more, to hear the whinging and bleating every day now it seems. I think I will post back a reply to each and every one asking 'Just what are you prepared to do then'!!! :-/ :-/ Not what you think others should do, but WHAT are YOU prepared to do' Whinge' well that hasn't got the vast majority anywhere yet so WHY DO you THINK it will be diffent with you whinging'? :-/ :-/ :o In fact with copy that, and paste it up every time some one whinges!

Personally I believe that we would seriously be looking at £30,000 per annum for a GOOD reliable PR Firm. Ongoing and as a 'Mouth Piece. Built in think tank to put it over in the right prspective in view of the 'Public would preseeve it. £1 EACH member would be great levied by the RPRA, SHU, Welsh etc. Also tie in many others Land owners, SOS brigade etc. This is a Guide only, and cheap would mean just some chick going cheep cheep I fear. The Cost of PR Activities and Hiring a PR Agency The cost of hiring a PR agency varies greatly depending on how established the agency is and the level of service that you require. Large companies can pay tens of thousands of pounds on generating PR, an amount of money that would put many small businesses out of business. Generally you can look to hire a PR agency on a one-off or on-going basis. PR should be a continuous process but you may be happy with generating some initial media coverage, then managing your PR activities in-house. As a one-off basis some companies will simply put together a press release, send it out, and hope that it delivers results. This costs in the region of £200 - £400 and is low cost but risky in that results are far from guaranteed. Online press release services usually cost slightly less, in the region of £70 simply to distribute a press release online to £400 for idea generation, writing and distribution. High-end PR firms can charge anything from £1,000 to several thousand pounds for a single press release. However, for this they take time to understand your company, its industry and goals, before generating ideas, writing a press release, distributing it to a targeted media audience, and following it up with phone calls. Many PR firms will also act as media centre taking enquiries from journalists and may offer a guarantee of some kind, which can reduce the risk of spending thousands of pounds for no end product. Once you’re established in business you may wish to hire a PR agency on an on-going basis. For this they will put together a couple of press releases each month, and develop a longer term PR strategy. The cost for this generally starts at £1,000 per month. You may also wish to complement your traditional PR activities through generating buzz in other ways, such as guerrilla marketing or getting bloggers to write about your company. You can post ‘opportunities’ on PayPerPost for bloggers to write about, with these opportunities being based around the latest news surrounding your company. This form of marketing can cost as little as £2 per blog that writes about your company. If you decide to hire a PR agency here’s a checklist to follow before choosing one particular firm: The right PR agency for your company Different PR agencies specialise in different areas. Some are better at promoting established businesses whereas others are more focused on newly formed companies. Do they understand your company and its industry? This is vital – make sure that they understand what your company does, its background, competitors, and what makes it special or unique. Be cautious if they don’t appear interested in taking the time to understand your company. Look at previous work Ask for copies of press releases and media coverage that they have obtained in the past. Are they desperate? A good PR agency is a busy PR agency. They shouldn’t be desperately trying to encourage you to take them on – they should simply present the facts and let you make up your own mind in your own time. Do they have the media contacts? The PR agency should have local, regional, and national press contacts – previous work should illustrate this. Ready to choose? Take a look at our list of PR agencies. http://www.marketingminefield.co.uk/public-relations/cost-of-hiring-pr-agency.html

Like your use of the 'Clever' PR work.... something I'm been beating the drum to no avail for a decade and more. RPRA, Like I say, the RPRA daren't contrive to use a £1 of each members money to get this up and running.... the members believe - in general - that the Rich and Able should be only to willing to do it for them. That would mean giving up valuable time running a buisness, and using / paying people that work for them, or to pay people to do it.... and expect a fluent 'Mouth piece' to boot to deal with the general public. Yet every turn we are thawted by PR firms employed by the RSPB. :-/ :-/ Simply put, a £1 a year is too dear a cost to help their pigeons not being eaten alive by BOP. :-/ :-/ Explain someone, any one, how it can be different!!! :o Obvious that isn't it. Use to be rife 'Well I would personally .... but you know the other won't.... and that meant No one does etc. a very few of us! Would I pay a £1 a year to save our pigeons from being eaten a live by BOP .... Answer, No, we will moan and whinge till someone else does... or till I pack up is the answer P.s. and don't you dare spend a £1 for a PR firm to help out!!! And PPS stuff them and the think tank, and their POLITICAL corridors, and links with the media.... Gret someone else to do it... anyone bar me.... and my £1 :o Where am i wrong?

Sorry Shaddow, just Not true! Cat are, and can be held responcible, and owners liable for any property / creatures etc. they harm or kill. Been done times. Further it is a myth that Cats have the right to roam' it just isn't so. Now if a cat kills a pigeon, proof may be awkward to prove. DNA etc costs a lot. Blood samples a lot less. But several sucessful prosecutions have taken place.

If you go to the doctors, and then take no notice of his advice and treatment, most would say you are .... Lets say foolhardy at least and may well wonder just why you went to him in the first place :-/ :-/ Likewise the vets' let him do his job.... JMO

Yes and too many others also ... it is strife that deceit.

True Vallence.... but was just an example really. Did hear of a fellow that actualy moved to the West, about 12 miles and started doing extremely well, where as before was just average .... Mind he then became the Farthest flyer in the EAST of another Fed :-/ ;D ;D ;D

Well, have to agree with most of the above. Location, location, location!!! Simple as that. Is the reason why so many 'Famed Flyers' moved to their location! Simple that, even I can understand - as I was told repeatedly by a great renowned flyer - 'If two birds come together, the loft in the East wins'! Simple eh! Never sen yet a fancier move to the West of existing loft and better himself and that's for sure, seen many midioca to fair flyers move to the East and become famed flyers. Just look at the 'Nmames' that have bought their site, from Old Leak Fishtoft, to Skegness Louth etc. Remember Leo sash, was a POW and settled here, Was a photograther, and bought a Fish and Chip shop. Had the odd win in 20 years.... Retiered to Skegness. Even he was amazed at his wins. Said did less, but .... flew a great pigeon! Look at the ones, who were nowt, bout first curve up the Valley, became names, as Logically heis birds only had to be near the leading flock and trap! Knew he'd won!

Yep 100% right! Gosh we don't even know how they home, so how can we teach them anything? Training is for fitness and condition ... Breaking points and Line of flights for the fancier!

Good post Schouwman71, very informative and from personal expierence.

Not if the cats are deaf, or real determine.... be better of pay £50 for an electric fence I reckon.

Sorry meant to say, 'Hatton Doesn't fight again'! No need too. And he wore his heart on his sleeve, and made very many happy.... earn a well deserved retirement, because let's face it 'HE came to fight!

Yep.... BUT well managed. Has earnt a fortune, and never - even now - fought a lad at the top of the pile. Manny is really only a 7 and half stone ring wet, that has put wieght on over many years That 4 stones in reality over his prime fighting wieght! :-/ But now with 30 odd milion in he bank, one must see why it pays to duck and dive, and MAKE money, be looked after and HAVE the media hype. Unlike the 'Bad old days' when many thatwere too good got squeezed out eh! :-/ :-/ But like the minters, Floyd Patterson, who's pride - to just name 2 of dozens - made them fight boys too good.... Yes! BUT one has to feel for the genuine GOOD world class fighters they won't fight surely! :-/ Like Hatton ducking - sorry running - from Junior Wtter etc. and Joe from countless ones too... Yes they have GOOD reputations, will go on to earn great salaries - deservedly so - as Guests of honour, media spots etc. etc. and go down as 'Greats'. I hope Hatton does fight again, only reason now would be pride! Like Witter now, if won he'd get a great pay day! If he lost, a great pay day and the legacy of of people say 'Ah, but in his prime....1 ;) In his prime he wouldn't, not only him, but many more. Yes just who can fault the management? No one!

Yep, I also thought also, that the quality of birds offered were very good indeed. Well done Colin.

Well after a disagreement and me telling the one in charge what I thought of him.... he left my Website in limbo and I was unable over the last few months to get this site up and running. Now that I don't care, or realistically need it, he has put it back up lol http://www.rosscoleyevents.co.uk/ For any interested.

MickB, Bigda is just being Bigda.... :-/ :-/ :o As must of his posts, indeed the vast majority are in the same vein! :-/ Most of us just take him as 'Being There' meaning no harm, just 'Being Him' eh! l ;D ;D

Well I can't see in hind sight and reality that one can see if it is NOT having an effect! Only if numbers are falling that it at least MIGHT be having an effect. So what I will do - as Ivermectin in any shape or form in your scenario would have a benefifial affect then for BOP - stop spout that it it does, but not that it doesn' do what it says, I.e. clears worms etc. But soon, very soon, the sooner the better, we / I / us must start a thread where we actually get on with a 'Fund, a fighting campaigne that WILL do as all some good regards our pigeons. We must act quickly and unpreturb knowing ful well that the RSPB will be watching and cutting our strings, whilst pulling a few of their own!

no sort of ivermectin has any adverse affects on hawks i will say it again roland i have seen bops handlers using ivermectin pour on on dead chicks and giving them to all kinds of hawks i have asked u before to provide any evidence on how this works and to date u have come up with noting buy useing ivermectin pour on u are actually worming the birds of prey im sure if there was any thruth too this claim there would be lots of info on the net on how and why it works but too date i have seen noting all i have seen is bops handlers using this product for the benefit of these hawks falcons and so on so really buy telling people to use this product u are doing yourself no favour or the pigeon fancy in generall no favours what so ever there are other products that bops don't like the taste of if u get my meaning but belive me ivermectin only benefits bop OK, niether have you shown any proof it doesn't. Only repeating some that have - seemingly in this scenario - to have, and be having sucess. However, if it just does what it is suppose to regards Worms etc. etc. then that is a bonus and no harrm done eh!

No GENIUSES at the helm EVER! But not ever never! Only ever helped themselves and their own cronies and made us the slick Marshell law we live under unnoticed, and brain washed into think that it is a right for the Haves to lord, and the have nots to put up and shut up. Ingrained I'm afraid over hundreds of years. At all at the helm have followed that regime and adthered to it! If it was for the 'Ole Boys' act for example, and 'Money' for the vested useless a anything else, does one honestly believe the RSPB would have such a strong footing. Just no bodies with Names, that have been place to earn a good idle living, because they'd be useless at earning their own living, so are propped up and pampered too.

Agree 100% This is what I am saying. Time to act and stop whinging. Time for the incessant asking 'What to do' and do something! Canker is something they can combat. Well Known. Be nice if everyone was able to house 6 pairs of non stop breeding pairs, bought from say thelikes of Melton Mowbray Market!. Leave to well infected, ad never been out... Yes just another string to the bow eh!

Glass, smashed and placed, rammed into any hole will stop them ... but they'll just gnaore another hole. So, placing sheets of glass on a flat square surface, on floors and walls, then covered with another wooden means /Chip board / sheplass etc, or tongue and groove is wealthy and using a drill bit for glass, bolt them down and no rates or mice will ever get through that! Depending how big the loft is.... but saving a little now each week and doing straight after racing would well be a boon I'm a thinking!