Cold and loft flying

[NeilA]

What’s people’s views on loft flying 45-60 mins currently
It’s by no means warm it’s bloody cold tonight on hawk watch but racing is 28 days away
I know some training last week others say it’s to cold yet to get the birds going at home
I spoke to a very good fancier today who said there fine in the cold and if there fit to do a hour let them at home
I personally wouldn’t train yet
Then if mine are doing a hour of there own choice and it’s pretty cold tonight is that worse than someone training 20 miles where they are in the air half the time

[Steve Howells]

I don’t do much road training with old birds but when I do I like a little warmth on their backs, whether it make a difference I don’t know. As for loft flying as long as it isn’t raining they go out, I don’t make them fly so it’s up to them I just get them in when they’ve had enough. The cold never seems to bother them.

[MIL]

I would never work the birds under 10 degrees (training)

Exercise is fine, but I was paranoid about the damp

I refused to let the cocks out in the damp regardless of temperature

[NeilA]

I would never work the birds under 10 degrees (training)

Exercise is fine, but I was paranoid about the damp

I refused to let the cocks out in the damp regardless of temperature

So these doing 45-60 mins is fine then Mike
I need to get the fitness is my thinking mainly to do with your damp point as I know I will be faced with a good few wet days in the next 4 weeks

[Murray]

I'm with Mike on that.
I do not like them getting damp when it's cold. Sitting in the loft damp can seriously knock the form, I believe. Here where it's warm, it isn't a problem. They dry out in no time.
For Neil, If they are flying well for to 45 to 60 minutes, I'd keep them at that for now, in the hope that the days get warmer as they get longer. Four weeks is a long time for a pigeon. In two weeks of tossing they can be very fit with a bit of serious tossing.

[NeilA]

I'm with Mike on that.
I do not like them getting damp. Sitting in the loft damp can seriously knock the form, I believe.
For Neil, If they are flying well for to 45 to 60 minutes, I'd keep them at that for now, in the hope that the days get warmer as they get longer. Four weeks is a long time for a pigeon. In two weeks of tossing they can be very fit with a bit of serious tossing.

Cheers Murray
I will only trying to get as many in from the 23rd when our hour changes if weather allows as it will be light to 7 then
Training light at 6 still

[CHARLTON34]

Hello Neil, mine have been out all winter on good days, never when it's wet.
I wouldn't train o/birds & yearlings unless it was double figures, my reasons for this is with 8 pairs of Peregrine's local it's always going to be run the gauntlet, & if they get hit & split when it's very cold the risk isn't worth it.
When it does improve temperature wise then they have to find the quickest route home & dodge what waiting, all I hope for is a clear run, just difficult at times with what to do for the best.
Regards Dave.

[NeilA]

Can’t be easy Dave
Here I seem ok to 16 mikes without a peregrine hitting them
Should I go 25 miles I get hit way to often

[MIL]

Considering your team is largely yearlings Neil I would set aside the best part of 3 weeks to train. Consistency is important, whether it be loft fly or training. The fitness will soon come
In terms of the training in an ‘ideal’ world I would like to see you beyond 16 mls occasionally preseason, but i recognise the danger that represents
Don’t be desperate to train. If it ain’t fit it ain’t fit - remember that

[NeilA]

Considering your team is largely yearlings Neil I would set aside the best part of 3 weeks to train. Consistency is important, whether it be loft fly or training. The fitness will soon come
In terms of the training in an ‘ideal’ world I would like to see you beyond 16 mls occasionally preseason, but i recognise the danger that represents
Don’t be desperate to train. If it ain’t fit it ain’t fit - remember that

Cheers mate
I will try to go further it’s just such a worry now