Time of the year

[Devo1956]

Well its getting to that time of the year, soon we will be looking back how our racing season has gone. Also how our breeding selections, from the start of the year have performed. There will be many questions you will be asking yourself. So i hope you have the answers, so you can sit down and plan ahead.
“
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” is a quote by Benjamin Franklin. It's often used to illustrate the idea that preparation is essential for success in any activity or performance. For example, a chef wouldn't start cooking a meal without the necessary ingredients and equipment, and an athlete wouldn't compete without training and practicing. Preparation can take time, effort, and discipline, and it can involve research, organization, and meditation.

I myself am already planning ahead, good research helps me in my plans for next year. It is also good to share information with others and get their thoughts. Brain storming can help with your future plans.

Good luck to our members planning ahead for next season.

[NeilA]

No got anything straight in my head yet Devo
Normally I know by now
Do I racr hens / do I have a go at 250/500 miles with them
Or do I race 20 cocks only
Loads of things
Even thinking of putting my ybs in the stock loft and having one section not 2 as it’s larger
Stock to yb section as I moved on a lot of birds this last month

[Devo1956]

I just feel there is so much to do and think about, well it is for the members still racing birds. I always looked forward to the breeding side of the sport, it kept me busy and i always paired up on Boxing day.
You have a lot to think about Neil, but i am sure you will get it right. Good luck mate.

[PeteDerby]

Loft build starts in a couple of weeks so, after my aforementioned 45 year absence, I’m trying to get my head around literally everything!

I know it’s a big ask, but would anyone fancy doing me a month by month year key events overview for a new fancier - really basic stuff like when to order rings, when to pair, wean, inoculate, start training / darkness, when the moult starts - either that or point me in the direction of a good book that covers it all.

[NeilA]

Loft build starts in a couple of weeks so, after my aforementioned 45 year absence, I’m trying to get my head around literally everything!

I know it’s a big ask, but would anyone fancy doing me a month by month year key events overview for a new fancier - really basic stuff like when to order rings, when to pair, wean, inoculate, start training / darkness, when the moult starts - either that or point me in the direction of a good book that covers it all.

I’m sure we all can help a bit mate
But maybe we will confuse things

Is it your first year back breeding from stock ?
Are you looking for the ybs to win in sprints from day 1 or building a distance team

[Andy]

There will be plenty of help from members on this forum as and when you require it. There will be differing views and opinions but that’s the nature of the sport. As Neil has indicated a lot of questions will have to be asked of you. All the timings will depend on what your aims are, what system you are looking to race, number of birds your looking to keep, size of loft etc, etc.

[Murray]

Well its getting to that time of the year, soon we will be looking back how our racing season has gone. Also how our breeding selections, from the start of the year have performed. There will be many questions you will be asking yourself. So i hope you have the answers, so you can sit down and plan ahead.
“
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” is a quote by Benjamin Franklin. It's often used to illustrate the idea that preparation is essential for success in any activity or performance. For example, a chef wouldn't start cooking a meal without the necessary ingredients and equipment, and an athlete wouldn't compete without training and practicing. Preparation can take time, effort, and discipline, and it can involve research, organization, and meditation.

I myself am already planning ahead, good research helps me in my plans for next year. It is also good to share information with others and get their thoughts. Brain storming can help with your future plans.

Good luck to our members planning ahead for next season.

Yep, every year is a chance to do things better.
As the old saying goes, if you were disappointed last year, and nothing has changed, prepare to be disappointed again.

[Devo1956]

Loft build starts in a couple of weeks so, after my aforementioned 45 year absence, I’m trying to get my head around literally everything!

I know it’s a big ask, but would anyone fancy doing me a month by month year key events overview for a new fancier - really basic stuff like when to order rings, when to pair, wean, inoculate, start training / darkness, when the moult starts - either that or point me in the direction of a good book that covers it all.

Good morning Pete, your new venture is about to begin. I would say use the sponge effect, gather as much information from other members on the site. Then break it down to a system that works for you and your birds, But always remember to record your plans, this way you can always go back to what you have recorded. .

You only have to ask, and remember there are no daft questions. We are here to help you along the way, education is a wonderful thing, we learn every day. Those that dont, just dont want to know.

[PeteDerby]

Loft build starts in a couple of weeks so, after my aforementioned 45 year absence, I’m trying to get my head around literally everything!

I know it’s a big ask, but would anyone fancy doing me a month by month year key events overview for a new fancier - really basic stuff like when to order rings, when to pair, wean, inoculate, start training / darkness, when the moult starts - either that or point me in the direction of a good book that covers it all.

I’m sure we all can help a bit mate
But maybe we will confuse things

Is it your first year back breeding from stock ?
Are you looking for the ybs to win in sprints from day 1 or building a distance team

That’s great thanks guys.

Yeah, bit of a ‘how long is a piece of string’ question I asked there!

So I should perhaps mention that my ADHD means the kind of stuff you guys can work out in your sleep is a real struggle for me, meaning anything with lots of detail I have to write down and give myself a million reminders for. Not particularly handy for getting back into pigeons, I know, but-please bear with me if I ask ‘dumb’ questions. Trying to coordinate builders to get the loft built with daughter’s wedding coming and forward-planning the pigeon is a bit of a handful.

But anyway, the lose plan is starting right from scratch, getting a foundation stock together in 2025 that comprises a sprint to middle distance team and also a smaller long distance team. The plan is a small number of stock birds, plus perhaps 36 youngsters split 75/35 middle and long. I’m thinking race the YB season as much as I can, but just a few races with the distance birds to give them some experience.

I’m sorted on the foundation birds for sprint to middle distance pigeons and just putting feelers out on long distance stock I can afford.

Breaking down the questions running through my head right now, it seems I’ll be getting young birds towards the end of January, so I’m trying to get my head around the timing of ‘what happens next and when’ in terms of a calendar for rest of the year?

[NeilA]

As you sourced your sprint type birds would it not be easier to just get a system for them before looking at distance
Feeding etc would be a bit different
So maybe get one thing right to start with
I only fly to 285 currently but thinking of sending some to 425 next year probably the hens if I race them so I can feed a bit different

I am lucky to have Mike on here , mark bulled who was kind enough to explain in detail his feeding system
Plus Jimmy bamling told me the exact food he used to help me and it’s very different to my type of corn and amount
All three advised very similar methods to me

I want to see if my current pigeons can do that before I look to add pigeons but unfortunately all my selection is based on sprint I gave the pigeon away that was 4th combine when I sent to 360 miles as he was to slow for the other 10 races so been daft there

I do think to do well against full time fanciers you can cut yourself to thin and it may be worth doing one thing 100 per cent to start with