Roland

Yes Tony spot on, thanks.

Well that of course was suggested... but us honest folks just don't do things like that ... unethethical I believe lol. But the reality is her husband - a fancier of long standing would soon twig that, and the occassion and memories would be rendered useless, it would degrade the whole point of it really!

Bilco, if memory serves me correct, in the mid to late eighties once wrote that ... though at first he was sceptical to say the least -that once the parents have flown out the youngsters seem to have an inbred notion of where the wires are and hitting them was vey sldom, which of course could be an initial worry. Was a time... and in some cases I believe authorities are committed to cork them, though I understand they have to be preasured... Worth thinking about or chasing up.

Seems a class act there in the making ... a couple of light races I guess next season ... then year after could carry all before them. Again I believe shows the snce ... room permitted - of having a second net... twofold reasons of course.

A friend of mine wants to surprise her husband on their Ruby wedding anniv... With a pigen of course. Chirihes the thought of an ofspring of any champion bird that carried 'Ruby' in it's name. Any help here would be apreciated of course

Frankie George for me... a man that was very wealthy granted, but spent time and effort with everyone and helped out ... in particular the sport. OK HE bought birds at world record prices.... and had a great friendly rivalry with Masserella.... but kids use to take any strays - even unrung birds to his door and say 'Mister got one of your birds here ..' He'd look at the ring missing from the feral and say 'Gosh, thanks young man... don't know how that got out ...' and give them at least 2/6d ... a shilling more than the going rate. Many started and flew birds because of him. Also the Federation had great cups to fly for... The 'Gold Cup is just that a gold Cup worth thousands... All clubs he flew in also benefited. In the mid 50's he was importing and exporting birds to China, Japan etc. Never ever let any one feel beholden and always very tactful when helping lesser out. Yes a great fancier, and above all a treasure to our sport. You see many flew and bred from ‘Church Pigeons’ regardless what any one says… and they had great success too. MANY could not afford any different, and Frankie George new that. Sure he bought ain three loft managers, who did well… and were given their houses when they retired. Yes great for the people, and great for the sport! JMO

Who of to - days fanciers, ispire you?

I apologise unreservedly to Andy unreservedly... I have had words and I was not only wrong but out of order, and can now well see why I was banned from Pigeon Chat. Also Mike I wish also say sorry to you ... I am the one that should get his facts right , especially before spouting off ... Sorry again to all concerned Lets put the matter to rest ... gosh I hate eating humble pie! but...

EXCUSE to sit in the sun Mick lol...

Golly what a link .. near short eyed glasses for that lol.

Some see in minutes what others miss for a life time... Mind I always wear dark shades me ...lol

Yep Crows will attack and kill youngsters. As for keeping the hawks at bay, that is only true as long as the hawks enjoy being harassed by them. Hawks soon make short work of them when they feel like it. Have 3 was 4 breeding pairs aside of me... likewise 4 pairs of them dang Magpies. So I noted that the crows pinched the magpies nest sites ... but I put up some cd's on wires hanging from the back roof.... great when sun shines... no magpies nests... occasional visits when weather is dull of course. Crows moved 100 yards away. Have the old picture place building 50 yards over looking me. So it is the largest pigeon loft in town. Crows moved on a bit this year... two sparrow hawk nests now each side of my loft, around 50 - 100 yards. Pigeons get took by the hawks... but they get more mice and rats really. Crows move away... but do join in harassing the hawks, but give over big time when hawks on the prod. Cooper hawks play the same game of course ... till food is scare, then they eat crow.

Not common Hjaltland, but deffinately not rare.

Many find, as I also believe, Mac1 that youngsters brought in don't really give 100% to they have settled, or mated, raised a round like. So I wouldn't put much store in not winning ... they may wel do next season, or breed some winners as you will have the blood as one says like. JMO

Exactly Tony. And contentment is also a very big pointer.

I believe that many lose sight of the fact Garlic is not a cure as such - may help in some cases i Guess - but is to build up an immune system. Once a week - even twice is more than ample. Mind when one looks at the bird's eyes etc. and alertness, one needs only fortnightly - I believe - to use garlic. Also minor immunisation, it purifies the blood, and hence cleanses that... can't be bad for the health, nor flying of course. Purer blood is I guess the main beneficilry.

Just look on the net of where ever and order what you want from a Libruary. They get them pretty quick ... and cost nowt!

Pretty much agree with Bruno ... but too much Garlic, ot too often isn't good for the birds ... makes them thirsty.

Yes Squerrils... just shood a few away out of my trees. They cause havoc in a loft, no two ways about that. Eggs youn or even on the nests. My mate is a game keeper and his Jack Russel was hurt more fighting cornered sqerrills than anything else.

A mite harsh on us poor hoppos' I guess lol ... but enjoyable none the less http://www.enroutemag.com/e/archives/september02/archives02.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4XZW16XbpM

Andrew surely Buessart should be in any list, I would have thought. He still has achievements set in both England and Belgium that have never been matched, let alone surpassed. JMO

Agreed ... likewise with the Belgium etc. And sadly there is a blind concept following of a couple of British studs etc. that doesn’t hold much water ... one swallow doesn't make a summer as they say.... Was / is a myth one so many... 1st National 4th section... where are now, come on it was either 4th section 237 and 1832 National or 1st National. Remember well the struggle I had when - I first kept pigeons for my self 1986 (The family was involved since mid 50's) over Stamvater. Undoubtedly a breeder and a half... But I thought he'd also won nationals races. Now Mozzarella was as honest as a day is long when making money, which when one puts the money where their mouth is and invest they richly deserve, and rightly so to make a few bob. When one fabricates for own gain certain facts then I personally haven't much time for them, whether they are / were great flyers. And many still believe the baloney so often printed of course. Shame but that is human nature I guess.

Stu That wasn't the point I was making, and as person that sells pigeons I regard you personally, from what I have heard, that you are one of the better ones by far... and genuine. One for instance that will put forward for a good cause without looking for the AD andslap on the back. I for instance know of serveral real great breeders that has bred and who in fact supply many of the so called grat names ... yes they can do well with the birds etc. But that be as it may, many aren't known possibly by most here for instance. And as such though very good birds they breed, with their name thay would sell much say over here... but under another well known name that flew them well... Likewise, the Netherlands are / have been possiblely the best distance flyers for some time now, especially when one looks at the performances in regards of ratio in birds sent. Then the Kipps Brothers!They must be the most fornominal of flyers... 17 timed in from Barcelona after dark to win! 3 in a minute at 1 02... then 1 03 /04 etc. 17 before 1 20 in the morning. Those putting names up know of Kipps brothers etc. is all I am saying, and many truely greats are missing ... but then they are selling feathers I suppose. And another thing, argueably the best birds of europe, the Continent are over here... regardless whether still advertised and sold as still there. Then the So call Fellows that import rings and sell as ...

nO not a womans disease... men can catch it too ... but it is the same as what pigeons get... a form of canker.