NeilA wrote: ↑Fri Nov 08, 2024 5:10 pm
Not knocking your methods Andy but are you sure your teaching the system or just training natural pigeons pre race
I understand what you’re saying and it can take a couple of races for the yearlings to get to know the system but having said that when racing widowhood before on this system I was still winning the first races of the year. I’m sure Frank Tasker back in the 80s used to race the first old bird race of the season on natural or hens just removed before putting the cocks on widowhood after the first race.
If I was to train after the hens had been removed and before the first race I would want to show the hens. I do show the hens before marking for the first couple of races.
Back just enjoying club racing for the time being.
I think a good few send there’ cocks like that I believe Wade brothers do but they have 3 teams so can stager it all
I have one section so think it’s best to have shown the yearlings the system
NeilA wrote: ↑Fri Nov 08, 2024 6:55 pm
I think a good few send there’ cocks like that I believe Wade brothers do but they have 3 teams so can stager it all
I have one section so think it’s best to have shown the yearlings the system
Good luck next season Neil. How many cocks are you racing? My old bird race team for next season will consist of 12 widowhood cocks.
Back just enjoying club racing for the time being.
NeilA wrote: ↑Fri Nov 08, 2024 6:55 pm
I think a good few send there’ cocks like that I believe Wade brothers do but they have 3 teams so can stager it all
I have one section so think it’s best to have shown the yearlings the system
Good luck next season Neil. How many cocks are you racing? My old bird race team for next season will consist of 12 widowhood cocks.
CHARLTON34 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2024 9:23 am
Morning all, do members fly pigeons out over the winter period or are they locked up until spring. BOP maybe an issue for some that don't want to risk letting them out. Has anyone noticed any difference with flying out over winter other than fitness, or the same with pigeons being locked up for a few months anything that crop's up possible wing lock.
Birds out on good days, mainly at weekends, locked up Feb, and March, as they are rearing, and it's the worst time.
NeilA wrote: ↑Fri Nov 08, 2024 6:55 pm
I think a good few send there’ cocks like that I believe Wade brothers do but they have 3 teams so can stager it all
I have one section so think it’s best to have shown the yearlings the system
Yearlings aren't gonna learn the art of widowhood unless their taught it
On option I suppse it to use the hen sparingly pre-season and let them learn "on the job"
If it takes a cock say 5-6 races to learn his craft then that's basically 1/2 the season almost that's been wasted
1/2 a season when a sprinter is at his absolute peak (as a yearling)
Bugger that for a game of soldiers
Going into race 1 my widowers knew precisely what the basket meant - the basket meant there was a reward waiting at home
I'm with you on that Mike. 100%.
If you are going to race widowhood they need to be on the widowhood. Educated and firing on day one.
Many years ago an old racehorse trainer told me that horses are like torches. You can only turn them on and off so many times before the battery goes flat. Never forgot that.
Same with the pigeons. Every one only has so many races before it gets hurt or taken by a hawk or simply gets sick and tired of being chucked on a transporter week after week. In my humble opinion, the races are not the place for them to be learning their trade. The yearlings should be well educated before the first race.
Greetings from the land down under.
Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for verily, he shall not be disappointed.
NeilA wrote: ↑Fri Nov 08, 2024 6:55 pm
I think a good few send there’ cocks like that I believe Wade brothers do but they have 3 teams so can stager it all
I have one section so think it’s best to have shown the yearlings the system
Yearlings aren't gonna learn the art of widowhood unless their taught it
On option I suppse it to use the hen sparingly pre-season and let them learn "on the job"
If it takes a cock say 5-6 races to learn his craft then that's basically 1/2 the season almost that's been wasted
1/2 a season when a sprinter is at his absolute peak (as a yearling)
Bugger that for a game of soldiers
Going into race 1 my widowers knew precisely what the basket meant - the basket meant there was a reward waiting at home
That’s what I was meaning in my post to Andy as he trains when on the nest and I
Thought that’s training onnatural not widowhood but it must have been ok in the past for him
NeilA wrote: ↑Fri Nov 08, 2024 6:55 pm
I think a good few send there’ cocks like that I believe Wade brothers do but they have 3 teams so can stager it all
I have one section so think it’s best to have shown the yearlings the system
Yearlings aren't gonna learn the art of widowhood unless their taught it
On option I suppse it to use the hen sparingly pre-season and let them learn "on the job"
If it takes a cock say 5-6 races to learn his craft then that's basically 1/2 the season almost that's been wasted
1/2 a season when a sprinter is at his absolute peak (as a yearling)
Bugger that for a game of soldiers
Going into race 1 my widowers knew precisely what the basket meant - the basket meant there was a reward waiting at home
That’s what I was meaning in my post to Andy as he trains when on the nest and I
Thought that’s training onnatural not widowhood but it must have been ok in the past for him
I see what you’re saying Neil. Yes it was what I had done in the past and did do ok with it in the past winning the first races with yearlings. But it could well be that I need a rethink. I could repair a couple of weeks earlier which would give me a couple of weeks before the first race to give them some tosses with the hens there when they arrive. I don’t like over showing the hens and the main thing I think is that the cocks should never go into a basket unless the hens are in the loft waiting which is why I trained when paired.
Back just enjoying club racing for the time being.
I just go short Andy I never repair but there kind of driving or semi driving
I turn the bowl and then he arrives back to the hen give him 30 mins or a hour and go again then spilt them on return
That way I catch the hen once and get two trainers in a day only 8-15 miles
I think 5 miles would do and go 3 times
Which would only take a couple of hours to do
I try to do that on a Saturday / sunday for 2/3 weekends
But you could maybe be do it 3 times on a Sunday when your closed for 2/3 weeks
