Tony C

I'm interested in what fanciers like (or dislike) to see in their pigeons especially young birds, be it behaviour, colour or anything else you like or dislike. I'm also interested in any fads you that might like to share. This is not a question on selection its just a question of what we as individuals like.

T_T 10 years ago it seemed like every other week throughout the winter we was off to a Prize Presentation, sadly that's not the case now. Whether its the falling membership or people aren't as sociable nowadays I don't know.

I would do it in the morning,its going to be cold tonight and best not disturb the pigeons if on their young.

snowy if you leave things as they are the young'un will end up with splayed legs and be useless. When rearing single young'uns they need a firm nest beneath them especially with the nestbowls that seem to be made now, to smooth for my liking. You can try packing one half of the nestbowl with tobacco stalks tying them in place using the holes in the bottom of the nestbowl or you can try putting a clip on ring on its other leg and tying a piece of string between the two rings to keep the leg from splaying. The quicker you do it the better. Send me a PM if I haven't made this clear. Good luck.

My old mucker Bess she's now 15 years old

snowy is the youngster being single reared?

Unfortunately it does but I've found wearing 6inch stiletto heels when in the loft helps alleviate the problem :) like I say the pigeons love it, thats good enough for me.

aarden I use grills in the aviary but not in the racing lofts. I use Easibed in the race lofts, the pigeons love it.

I didn't think flies could read :o :)

T_T I remember some years ago Bernie Bennett wrote an article on this. The gist of it was that you mix up some concoction in a bucket and leave it near the loft. I'll try and get hold of him and see if he's still got the info on it. Also apparently there's an old hard to get book knocking around about flies, its by a J.R Hartley :) :)

sbelbin I believe mice are the major cause of salmonella outbreaks in lofts, getting rid of the pigeons doesn't necessarily mean your getting rid of the problem. If I suspect a pigeon has it, it goes.

Much appreciated Bill.

Me 16x6 shed 30 y/b's

Yes T_T but you still never let him have a pair of your young'uns did ya!! :) :)

Could anyone please expand on the banning of Baytril in the US many thanks

Pete Baytril is a very good product but only ever use it on a vets say so. Whilst it can be a godsend in some cases it can also compound a problem if used blindly. Vets are expensive in the short term but in the long term you'll be better off as will be your pigeons.

Hi Rose I've found the tiled lofts ventilation is much much better especially at this time of year. Better air flow with no draughts.

Cheers westburylofts. I wish you and all members the very best for the coming season, wont be long now.

Thanks T_T for the complement. Its funny I took half a dozen photo's and like you I found this photo portrays a kind of calmness. Perhaps the lack of pigeons in the shot?

Thanks sbelbin. Tiled loft, now there's another subject, what tiles are best?

The nerve centre!

I was led to believe that for the pigeon to absorb the B vitamins better vitamin C needs to be given to aid the process hence brewers yeast mixed with lemon juice.

I'd put my mug shot on here but I fear it could give the younger members nightmares!! :) :)

Celtic there's a couple of things you could try, put a clip-on ring on his non ring leg and tie a piece of string (about 3 inches) to that and his ring, you do this so he can walk and get about but as soon as he fights he cant get a decent purchase/foothold as hes unable to spread his legs. Another thing you could try is to put a piece of cardboard on the front of his nestbox so he cant see out, this sometimes helps.

What day do you feel multivitamins should be given during racing?