RPRA One loft

[NeilA]

Lee is going to help me I'm so relived as I was getting nowhere. Things have changed since I was in the old strains seem to be gone Dordins,. Verhey, Cattryse (sorry about spelling) . The head lines were when Shy Lass a Bussharet hen as I remember sold for £4200 an unbelievable figure at that time. They used to say if you keep your clocks you are coming back in sell them and your gone. Well I still have all three of mine so I guess they were right but I think they would be pretty redundant now

Hi Dave
Are you going into one loft races only or looking to race a few yourself in your return to the sport

[daverscott]

Yep definitely hope to return to the sport. It will mean moving house but I don't like the neighbours anyway . My hope is that the pair get to the end and I will be able to buy them back. I'm just worried about the hawk problem there were none to speak of in my day going back to the early 90's the biggest problem was cats. I think that's all changed now. From what I can gather they wait till you loft fly and pick of the YB's is that true?

[NeilA]

Yep definitely hope to return to the sport. It will mean moving house but I don't like the neighbours anyway . My hope is that the pair get to the end and I will be able to buy them back. I'm just worried about the hawk problem there were none to speak of in my day going back to the early 90's the biggest problem was cats. I think that's all changed now. From what I can gather they wait till you loft fly and pick of the YB's is that true?

Depends mate here the sparrow hawk will ambush them between early February to May but can do it all year one year I left mine in for 10 days due to constant attacks I key my cocks out starving for a spin of 20 min as they dropped it hit me I moved 3 on in 7 weeks and that’s the ones I got
I have only had 2 peregrine attacks at home both decent birds and you can’t do a thing about it when it happens most of my problems with them are from training so I stick to 16 miles any further and I am in trouble
The shorter races also seem a issue through Nottinghamshire to Cambridge area
The peregrine is definitely going up destroy the sport for anyone who likes to keep a small team and race regular over the next 5 years or so
Worm and Goose on here know more as my area has been fortunate upto these last two 2/3 years last year I stopped racing after 6 weeks I couldn’t handle it each week a good cock lost or injuried badly a hobby become the opposite I was scared of putting my birds in the basket
I had 8 really good cocks this time last year . I have 3 left 1 came through the 6 races 1 I stopped at race 4 and 1 lost his tail
Of the other 5 4 went at 90 miles 1 was so badly injured I wouldn’t race him again

[Andy]

Yep definitely hope to return to the sport. It will mean moving house but I don't like the neighbours anyway . My hope is that the pair get to the end and I will be able to buy them back. I'm just worried about the hawk problem there were none to speak of in my day going back to the early 90's the biggest problem was cats. I think that's all changed now. From what I can gather they wait till you loft fly and pick of the YB's is that true?

It certainly is different nowadays. I lose birds from around home on a fairly regular basis, mainly due to Peregrines around here but have lost the odd ones to the sparrow hawk too.

[daverscott]

I just cant believe it how do you continue? Where have they suddenly all come from. At the end of a distance race the bird is likely to be tired and on its own what chance does it have?. I remember my heart being in my mouth when the ybs went out for the first few times the worry then was only cats and loud noises. Hawks were never given a thought

[Devo1956]

Where are you based in the UK Dave?

[NeilA]

I just cant believe it how do you continue? Where have they suddenly all come from. At the end of a distance race the bird is likely to be tired and on its own what chance does it have?. I remember my heart being in my mouth when the ybs went out for the first few times the worry then was only cats and loud noises. Hawks were never given a thought

The way I select as I’m only sprinting it’s pretty strict and early but if this keeps up 50 per cent plus that would make selection won’t be there anyway so I will be racing 5/6 pigeons or change my process and allow pigeons to stay that haven’t scored for a year and the problem is once I do that I will be only going one way

[Andy]

It is difficult at times Dave. It’s bad enough losing them in racing as half the time we don’t really know what’s happened to them. Whether they were taken or just not good enough. But losing birds that have been coming well from around the loft is even worse. The Peregrines seem to have become more prevalent around here the last couple of years. Often see them flying over.

[daverscott]

I live near Marlborough in Wiltshire. But where have all the hawks come from and why are they picking on racing pigeons when I would have thought town pigeons would have been easier prey. I remember a few news reports back in the day and the presenters seemed to think it was funny that birds were being picked off. I'm sure this subject has already been debated to death but where do we go from here?

[Devo1956]

I live near Marlborough in Wiltshire. But where have all the hawks come from and why are they picking on racing pigeons when I would have thought town pigeons would have been easier prey. I remember a few news reports back in the day and the presenters seemed to think it was funny that birds were being picked off. I'm sure this subject has already been debated to death but where do we go from here?

Yes very open there Dave, I would nothing but trouble for you. I hope all goes well with your OLR, you have to be in it. To win it.