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
One of our top widowhood flyers only puts a few hens in with his cocks on basketing day just to get the blood pumping, itbworks for him.
Cheers Trev that’s kind of thing I want to head for so it’s just the box
There was a good unc flier I think Atkinson and MacDonald 30 years ago only kept 6 hens for 30 to 40 cocks I was told by a mate . The same mate sadly passed away last year but did tell me when he was the loft manager for a top well known name they very rarely showed hens before or after once the cock took a box and defended it they didn’t worry about hens both couldn’t believe how well the cocks race. , that’s some way off for me and I imagine other things went to get get that bond or motivation but in his last years he kept telling me just let them tear a early baby then you don’t need the hens I never had the guts to try it
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
You won't see coxidiousis as this is in the stomach, but you'd soon see canker as that's normally in the throat and very easy to spot and smell !!
I'm not knocking you for treating though, as of course you won't see it until it's taken hold so prevention is better than cure.
No I treat blind once for cocci with baycox for the reason you mention
Canker I can’t agree with Trev lots of forms of canker do not appear as a yellow lump in the throat it should ever get to that stage , they can get canker you can’t see that will knock them off form
Whichever methods you are using I'm pleased to hear that things are going to plan, I hope it's a good season for you guys.
My birds are hatching their first rounds now, some pairs still haven't laid yet and I have a lot of un mated birds.
I did try to let them out yesterday for the only second time since October, they'd not been out for 5 minutes before the bloody hawk went through them !!
So they'll have to stay in for another week at least.
I have treated for coxidiousis and canker this year, will do worms soon too.
That’s my fear
I’m sat thinking I will let the hens out at 1030 in the hope the hawks have had breakfast
Give them 45 mins then mid afternoon get the cocks out for 45 -60 min
It’s a horrible time of year
NeilA wrote: ↑Sat Mar 08, 2025 9:46 am
That’s my fear
I’m sat thinking I will let the hens out at 1030 in the hope the hawks have had breakfast
Give them 45 mins then mid afternoon get the cocks out for 45 -60 min
It’s a horrible time of year
Mine were out about half 11 mate, she obviously isn't far away as it doesn't seem to matter what time it is, she turns up.
Murray wrote: ↑Tue Mar 04, 2025 1:49 am
I said I was going to stop breeding at Christmas time. I lied.
Iv'e got a big single baby grizzle, and two pairs of babies under the Heremans x Jannsen type pigeons. And the old pied Jos Thone' hen, who I thought was really finished after the red pied youngster she raised is on eggs, and I'm pretty sure they are fertile! Bonus if they are. I don't know why but she looks terrific for an old pigeon. Really doing well all of a sudden. And she's laid two eggs and they are nice and smooth and shiny.
After this lot I am definitely, certainly, absolutely going to stop for the year
I haven't separated any but a couple of pairs have stopped with the days drawing in.
Minor news, old Tonto, the pied Thone' hen, did hatch a pair of tiny weeny babies this morning. I am pleased.
Very small but wriggly, I'm just about to go out and have another peek at them
Good news Muzza
I hope this years crop of babies do well for all concerned, I look forward to hearing things go once racing starts.
NeilA wrote: ↑Sat Mar 08, 2025 9:46 am
That’s my fear
I’m sat thinking I will let the hens out at 1030 in the hope the hawks have had breakfast
Give them 45 mins then mid afternoon get the cocks out for 45 -60 min
It’s a horrible time of year
Mine were out about half 11 mate, she obviously isn't far away as it doesn't seem to matter what time it is, she turns up.
That’s going to be a bloody pain
I had one two or three years ago sat in a dead tree most days behind the meadow
I was lucky and able to move it on
Worse one I had was about 10 years ago use to sit on the gate to the loft and at times the Sputnik trap early morning that stopped me racing to mid May I just couldn’t move it on
Bearing some unforeseen disaster should be ready to go on 12th April. Celibate hens flying nicely for 25 -30 minutes a day. Widowhood cocks paired and on open hole at the moment so hopefully will fly themselves fit without having to worry about to much basket work.
Steve Howells wrote: ↑Sat Mar 08, 2025 11:32 am
Bearing some unforeseen disaster should be ready to go on 12th April. Celibate hens flying nicely for 25 -30 minutes a day. Widowhood cocks paired and on open hole at the moment so hopefully will fly themselves fit without having to worry about to much basket work.
Got the hens going going 40 mins now but 7 did drop out I wouldn’t be racing them much at all only the 7 two year olds at some stage but i like them to be fit
Cocks no where near that but they had the trap open so we’re in and out the loft and getting use to the trap
Tuesday routine will start some even wanted to go on the grass and I had to get them back up asap
so will get that sorted Tuesday in the sky or loft for them now
Bonus if they are. I don't know why but she looks terrific for an old pigeon. Really doing well all of a sudden. And she's laid two eggs and they are nice and smooth and shiny. 