I have to say that, in my opinion and from my experience, that you might well get yearlings from those kind of distances but they seldom, if ever do it again.
If you want longevity in your team, I think you need to let the birds develop and grow properly which can take two to three years.
Just my opinion though.
Bicc Pau
Yes, you would think so, wouldn't you?Trev wrote: ↑Sun Jun 29, 2025 8:13 am I have to say that, in my opinion and from my experience, that you might well get yearlings from those kind of distances but they seldom, if ever do it again.
If you want longevity in your team, I think you need to let the birds develop and grow properly which can take two to three years.
Just my opinion though.
Yet some years ago I had a hen arrive at my loft flown out and pretty buggered.
I contacted the owner, she had flown 600 miles as a young bird, went 600 miles as a yearling when she was his clock bird, and was on her way back from 600 miles again as a two year old when she must have been chased by a hawk and was way off track when she reached me.
We have ingrained beliefs, one of which is young pigeons don't cope with long races. But they do.
Greetings from the land down under. 
Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for verily, he shall not be disappointed.
Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for verily, he shall not be disappointed.
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Diamond Dave
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- Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2024 7:05 pm
Just looking at the Bicc Agen race this w.end and noticed there are quite a few yearlings home in another hard race. Remembering that this is an international race, I can't see that it is 'experience' that helps the birds home as these ylngs wouldn't have much.
On the contrary, the bird I got home from pau was a 2yo and the 4yo with the experience of 9 times over the channel is the one missing. Where is the logic in that.!
On the contrary, the bird I got home from pau was a 2yo and the 4yo with the experience of 9 times over the channel is the one missing. Where is the logic in that.!
I don't know that I totally agree with sending yearlings to very long races, but people do, and win with them.
Back in NZ, years ago, I was at the marking for the Young Bird National one night. I said to an old bloke that I was not sure that sending young birds 300 miles was very fair. He said to me that at the end of the young bird season a pigeon is the best it will ever be. I was a bit taken back by that.
After 20 years in Australia I tend to think he may have been right. Big youngsters and yearlings can do amazing things.
Back in NZ, years ago, I was at the marking for the Young Bird National one night. I said to an old bloke that I was not sure that sending young birds 300 miles was very fair. He said to me that at the end of the young bird season a pigeon is the best it will ever be. I was a bit taken back by that.
After 20 years in Australia I tend to think he may have been right. Big youngsters and yearlings can do amazing things.
Greetings from the land down under.
Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for verily, he shall not be disappointed.
Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for verily, he shall not be disappointed.
The record distance for a yearling clocked in the NFC is 803 miles. And several have been clocked flying 700+ miles.Diamond Dave wrote: ↑Sun Jun 29, 2025 9:18 pm Just looking at the Bicc Agen race this w.end and noticed there are quite a few yearlings home in another hard race. Remembering that this is an international race, I can't see that it is 'experience' that helps the birds home as these ylngs wouldn't have much.
On the contrary, the bird I got home from pau was a 2yo and the 4yo with the experience of 9 times over the channel is the one missing. Where is the logic in that.!
Just out of interest I checked the Early Results page for Agen.
It appears that most pigeons are two year olds, a smaller number of three year olds and quite a few yearlings. I only counted 3 out of the first 55 that were older than three year olds.
The sturdy old long distance pigeon seems to have gone the way of the slow old staying racehorse. There's no place for them these days. Even stayers can run the last two furlongs as fast as the sprinters.
It appears that most pigeons are two year olds, a smaller number of three year olds and quite a few yearlings. I only counted 3 out of the first 55 that were older than three year olds.
The sturdy old long distance pigeon seems to have gone the way of the slow old staying racehorse. There's no place for them these days. Even stayers can run the last two furlongs as fast as the sprinters.
Greetings from the land down under.
Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for verily, he shall not be disappointed.
Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for verily, he shall not be disappointed.
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Diamond Dave
- Posts: 441
- Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2024 7:05 pm
My yearlings have been over the water 3 times this season and every one is telling me to 'stop them now' or 'keep them for next year' or 'don't flog them as yearlings' - but I'm not sure that it is the right advice.
( been here before ha -ha)
But, after seeing the yearlings from Agen, I am now wondering if I should send them to Bicc Bordeaux ( just short of 500) more to the point, it is not an international race.
They are fit and well, have had a 5 week rest from the previous channel race and I am thinking this could be the prime time for them.
Obviously my choice and I think I will wait to see what the weather is gonna be like, but just wondering what everyone else would do......
( been here before ha -ha)
But, after seeing the yearlings from Agen, I am now wondering if I should send them to Bicc Bordeaux ( just short of 500) more to the point, it is not an international race.
They are fit and well, have had a 5 week rest from the previous channel race and I am thinking this could be the prime time for them.
Obviously my choice and I think I will wait to see what the weather is gonna be like, but just wondering what everyone else would do......
Disclaimer. The following is simply an opinion. 
If the yearlings are so fit they are dangerous, as the old saying goes, I would send them.
A fit yearling, with the right breeding, will fly 400 miles if it's any good, and it's only another 80 or so miles to Bordeaux.
I do think a yearling in super form is as good as it will ever be. I really do.
If it is good enough it might even win a big race .
Or, you could put it aside and next year it might even win a big race
The difference? You had to wait 12 months.
If the yearlings are so fit they are dangerous, as the old saying goes, I would send them.
A fit yearling, with the right breeding, will fly 400 miles if it's any good, and it's only another 80 or so miles to Bordeaux.
I do think a yearling in super form is as good as it will ever be. I really do.
If it is good enough it might even win a big race
. Or, you could put it aside and next year it might even win a big race
The difference? You had to wait 12 months.
Greetings from the land down under.
Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for verily, he shall not be disappointed.
Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for verily, he shall not be disappointed.
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Diamond Dave
- Posts: 441
- Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2024 7:05 pm
Ha - ha love the disclaimer Murray but thanks for still pitching in.
It must seem that I don't take advice very well, but I do take on board everything that everyone says. My philosophy is the more ideas you have in the pot - the more chance you have of getting the right decision.
The final decision is obviously mine but as I dont have anyone to discuss these things with I do rely on having
you guys for feed back.
It must seem that I don't take advice very well, but I do take on board everything that everyone says. My philosophy is the more ideas you have in the pot - the more chance you have of getting the right decision.
The final decision is obviously mine but as I dont have anyone to discuss these things with I do rely on having
you guys for feed back.
Looking at the names on the B.I.C.C. result that are timing yearlings, are these fanciers, that have done this for awhile in their native countries. I have not sent many yearlings to these distances, but it didn't do the ones I sent any harm, as they went on to score, later in life. I maybe should be rethinking my tactics with yearlings.Diamond Dave wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 7:10 am My yearlings have been over the water 3 times this season and every one is telling me to 'stop them now' or 'keep them for next year' or 'don't flog them as yearlings' - but I'm not sure that it is the right advice.
( been here before ha -ha)
But, after seeing the yearlings from Agen, I am now wondering if I should send them to Bicc Bordeaux ( just short of 500) more to the point, it is not an international race.
They are fit and well, have had a 5 week rest from the previous channel race and I am thinking this could be the prime time for them.
Obviously my choice and I think I will wait to see what the weather is gonna be like, but just wondering what everyone else would do......