Birds that have been flown out.

[Diamond Dave]

Can I ask you experienced guys on here what you do with young birds that have been flown out.?
I have a couple that were lost during training early on that made their way home after a couple of weeks and one that was totally flown out which I had to go and collect.
All seem to be recovered now and even got through young bird sickness.
So my question is - would you start them training again with a view to getting them in the last few comeback races or would you leave them until next year.

[Albert]

Can I ask you experienced guys on here what you do with young birds that have been flown out.?
I have a couple that were lost during training early on that made their way home after a couple of weeks and one that was totally flown out which I had to go and collect.
All seem to be recovered now and even got through young bird sickness.
So my question is - would you start them training again with a view to getting them in the last few comeback races or would you leave them until next year.

I would start them training again, except the one you had to go and collect, if it was collected from another loft.

[MIL]

If you feel they're recovered and they are exercising freely then yes I'd blood them back into training

Just monitor the "weight" of the birds in question

If they are lighter in the hand than their loftmates then there's a decent chance that full recovery is not yet complete

But I'd like to get them back into training at the very least (when ready)

[Murray]

Dave, you will be pleased to get those pigeons back, and by all means start gently putting them back into training. Little bit at a time.
But here's where I burst your bubble.
Very few pigeons that arrive late or come home in a box ever make race winners, even less are top class. There are tales of strays and late arrivals that then became champions. Just don't pin your hopes on it.
Look after them as you would all your pigeons. But just put a small question mark next to them.

[Devo1956]

Well Dave, i think you have had good advice mate, when they are fully recovered. All you can do is try weather permitting. Good luck mate, let us know how they do.

[MIL]

In some regards I can totally agree with Murray

I can't recall a single pigeon that ever came back in a box that went on to become even a 1/2 decent pigeon

Pigeons that have time out and work their way back under their won steam - now that's another matter




One of my very very very very very very best ever pigeons ("Champion Gareth Gates") had 7 weeks out as a yearling

He came home all bloodied and stained underneath

I got him right and as a 2 year old he was Champion Pigeon of the Worcester Federation and won an RPRA Award

1st 5,129 birds

3rd 5,663 birds etc

He'd have been 1st when he took 3rd.

He went through the door 1st but I picked another cock up instead to win 1st (This was in the days of T3 not ETS)




"Gareth" went on to be responsible for many many winners including my "Champion Eddy"

So, as Murray says, run with them, but a little "question mark" against it never hurt anyone - it can always be erased

Good luck Dave

[king]

Dave, you will be pleased to get those pigeons back, and by all means start gently putting them back into training. Little bit at a time.
But here's where I burst your bubble.
Very few pigeons that arrive late or come home in a box ever make race winners, even less are top class. There are tales of strays and late arrivals that then became champions. Just don't pin your hopes on it.
Look after them as you would all your pigeons. But just put a small question mark next to them.

There are many birds that have returned home late, come back in box, pick up as strays that have gone on to become great pigeons, I can think of one that went on to win 1st National. But your right that the % will be very, very small. That said the % of ALL pigeons bred that become great pigeons is equally very small.
My concern with flown out birds, is the degree of 'flown out'. It's how the bird acts that is the decider for me. I've had them where they cannot even stand. And others that have felt like a ball of feathers but moved about normally. For me it's the speed of recovery that give me hope that there would be no long lasting damage. I've had birds recover and look the part but the first time a question was asked the bird failed to return. One product that I would recommend that you give is shown below. I've see birds that I expected not to live the night pull round after given one of these.

[Devo1956]

Great products from Rohnfried, quality i would say.

[Diamond Dave]

Thank you everyone for your speedy replies.
These days, with so much BOP activity, I dont think I could condemn a bird because it is late, as you never know whats happened to them on the way back.
I will of course keep a watchful eye on these latecomers but will be pleased to take the unanamous advice from all of you and put them back in the training basket.
Having you guys at the other side of the keyboard is like having my own private mentors.
Thanks again everyone.

[MIL]

You're very welcome Dave - best of luck

How far are you planning on their 1st toss back in the basket being ?