Murray wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 1:37 am
When I saw you were about to embark on a medication program my teeth gritted, but then I remembered you are not in a warm, dry sunny place like I am. After a long cold wet winter like you are having, I bow to your knowledge of what you need to do.
I only use medication if I really need to. But I seldom need to. The dry is beneficial.
Been very damp and cold this winter
Plus i couldn’t tell if they had canker well I don’t believe anyone can without the skill of a microscope so I blind treat
The system is set out worms been done twice, cocci once
So 4 main things all blind treatments
Then monthly swab and dropping samples sent off starting the 8th of April
Respo will be treated blind every 3 weeks from April to July then nothing to March 2026
The widowhood’s have been rearing either a single or pair of youngsters, apart from one cock who’s hen took to long to lay so only sat the eggs. And of course the two gay cocks who have just been left to it. The hens were removed over a four day period, depending on the age of the youngsters, over a week ago. The cocks were left to finish rearing the youngsters. All but 4 youngsters have now been weaned, the last 4 will over the next couple of days. For now I have weaned the youngsters in with the widowhood hens and although they’ve been away for a week or so they’re still filling any youngster up who asks for it.
Although it’s been frosty the cocks have been going out briefly in the mornings while I clean them out. They will be repaired in a couple of weeks and allowed to sit for around 10 days. As they have already been paired I would expect all the hens to lay within a couple of days of each other. They will then be getting ready for the start of the season.
I haven’t treated for anything.
Back just enjoying club racing for the time being.
Andy wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 8:07 am
The widowhood’s have been rearing either a single or pair of youngsters, apart from one cock who’s hen took to long to lay so only sat the eggs. And of course the two gay cocks who have just been left to it. The hens were removed over a four day period, depending on the age of the youngsters, over a week ago. The cocks were left to finish rearing the youngsters. All but 4 youngsters have now been weaned, the last 4 will over the next couple of days. For now I have weaned the youngsters in with the widowhood hens and although they’ve been away for a week or so they’re still filling any youngster up who asks for it.
Although it’s been frosty the cocks have been going out briefly in the mornings while I clean them out. They will be repaired in a couple of weeks and allowed to sit for around 10 days. As they have already been paired I would expect all the hens to lay within a couple of days of each other. They will then be getting ready for the start of the season.
I haven’t treated for anything.
Looks like it gone pretty well Andy
What’s the reason for repairing totally understand it was normal practice to do so
I never have mainly as I couldn’t see the reason behind it apart from not having to remove hens after training
I leave my hens in for 2/ 3 days so I train only to 10 miles on the drive probably going twice on a Sunday once Friday once Saturday
then next training I will have the job of removing hens to teach them the bowl means hen will be in the loft
Although on my slightly different system they will be just left to go with any cock in the hope they mix up a bit rather than be boxed
You've come through a pre-season now that lacked the normal structure and clarity.
Now, though this is where the business end of the season starts.
The cocks can start to get some sort of routine, fitness and conditioning into them and it's at this point of the season where things used to really get my blood pumping - getting ready to rock from Race 1
MIL wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 8:33 am
Fun times lie ahead Neil
You've come through a pre-season now that lacked the normal structure and clarity.
Now, though this is where the business end of the season starts.
The cocks can start to get some sort of routine, fitness and conditioning into them and it's at this point of the season where things used to really get my blood pumping - getting ready to rock from Race 1
Yep it’s different to the normal but they definitely defend the box the same
If they do bond with different hens and that stays with them as 21 of the 24 are yearlings and if not being to concerned what hen they attract to the box becomes normal for them it will allow me the plan to send the hens to 250-450 miles without the fear of a hen being lost so much as hopefully he can bond with another quickly
If it’s a flop well then atleast I tried it and in the situation I was I didn’t really have a lot of choice
NeilA wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 7:35 am
Respo will be treated blind every 3 weeks from April to July then nothing to March 2026
Don't forget you have an alternative option to that that you've been given too
Yep that’s on my list mate thanks
Tdc / respo / tdc then the middle one changes the next time
Using the 3 products 2 days a week each so it’s in them for 6 weeks
Just need to get the Saturday one which I will sort this week
NeilA wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 8:41 am
Yep that’s on my list mate thanks
Tdc / respo / tdc then the middle one changes the next time
Using the 3 products 2 days a week each so it’s in them for 6 weeks
Just need to get the Saturday one which I will sort this week
Yep it’s different to the normal but they definitely defend the box the same
If they do bond with different hens and that stays with them as 21 of the 24 are yearlings and if not being to concerned what hen they attract to the box becomes normal for them it will allow me the plan to send the hens to 250-450 miles without the fear of a hen being lost so much as hopefully he can bond with another quickly
If it’s a flop well then atleast I tried it and in the situation I was I didn’t really have a lot of choice
Precisely.
Some of my most trusted "techniques" were an experiment once
The trick is knowing what works, what doesn't and then not repeating the mistake - but your clarity of analysis will soon have that sorted
Andy wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 8:07 am
The widowhood’s have been rearing either a single or pair of youngsters, apart from one cock who’s hen took to long to lay so only sat the eggs. And of course the two gay cocks who have just been left to it. The hens were removed over a four day period, depending on the age of the youngsters, over a week ago. The cocks were left to finish rearing the youngsters. All but 4 youngsters have now been weaned, the last 4 will over the next couple of days. For now I have weaned the youngsters in with the widowhood hens and although they’ve been away for a week or so they’re still filling any youngster up who asks for it.
Although it’s been frosty the cocks have been going out briefly in the mornings while I clean them out. They will be repaired in a couple of weeks and allowed to sit for around 10 days. As they have already been paired I would expect all the hens to lay within a couple of days of each other. They will then be getting ready for the start of the season.
I haven’t treated for anything.
Looks like it gone pretty well Andy
What’s the reason for repairing totally understand it was normal practice to do so
I never have mainly as I couldn’t see the reason behind it apart from not having to remove hens after training
I leave my hens in for 2/ 3 days so I train only to 10 miles on the drive probably going twice on a Sunday once Friday once Saturday
then next training I will have the job of removing hens to teach them the bowl means hen will be in the loft
Although on my slightly different system they will be just left to go with any cock in the hope they mix up a bit rather than be boxed
It might be the wrong way Neil. But as this is only my second season back on widowhood since 2003 I am just doing what used to work for me. It was a method I got from Frank Tasker. I used to use the period when resitting to give the cocks a couple of tosses where the hen is there on arrival. I understand what you and Mike say about the cocks being ready by the first race and not learning the system in the first couple of races. I may well give them a couple of tosses in the couple of weeks after removing the eggs and before the first race with the hens there on their arrival as you suggested.
Back just enjoying club racing for the time being.
