Life in Bendigo.

Tue Apr 11, 2023 10:38 pm

I’ll see how mine do this weekend. Due to being busy in the shop and a very difficult time personally for myself and in particular Roxanna over the last few weeks I haven’t been able to get any training in. I’m not too worried hearing about some of the bad trainers that people have been having. My best 2 yearlings last year were a hen that wasn’t raced as a youngster or trained as a yearling being 2nd bird from her first race at 109 miles, 1st bird from again 109 miles before being switch north where she was 2nd bird. and a cock who had to be picked up from 80 miles away in his only race as a youngster then wasn’t trained before racing as a yearling. He was my first bird from both of the North road races.

Murray · Wed Apr 12, 2023 1:03 am

And if your first race is only 35 miles or something its just a hop anyway. If you cant train them I would put the ones that never seen a basket in the hamper for an hour or so then just let them out. At least they would not have the stress of being in the truck when they have never seen the inside of a hamper.
I look forward to seeing how they go this week, Andy. The birds look a treat.

Wed Apr 12, 2023 6:43 am

Murray wrote: ↑Wed Apr 12, 2023 1:03 am And if your first race is only 35 miles or something its just a hop anyway. If you cant train them I would put the ones that never seen a basket in the hamper for an hour or so then just let them out. At least they would not have the stress of being in the truck when they have never seen the inside of a hamper.
I look forward to seeing how they go this week, Andy. The birds look a treat.

I always basket my babies that is why I said about just sending them as they would know what the basket was

Wed Apr 12, 2023 7:12 am

Murray wrote: ↑Wed Apr 12, 2023 1:03 am And if your first race is only 35 miles or something its just a hop anyway. If you cant train them I would put the ones that never seen a basket in the hamper for an hour or so then just let them out. At least they would not have the stress of being in the truck when they have never seen the inside of a hamper.
I look forward to seeing how they go this week, Andy. The birds look a treat.

Apart from the odd latebred they all had 3 trainers from 10 miles as youngsters. On each occasion they beat me home. I had 5 pigeons, including 2 of the latebreds, disappear for 3 hours Sunday morning. May have got in with some trainers or racers.

Murray · Wed Apr 12, 2023 7:37 am

I didn't know that, Andy. In that case bang em in, and I look forward to seeing how they go!
You probably wont be with the blokes who have them well tightened up, but they are very well and it might be surprising how well they go.

Murray · Tue Apr 18, 2023 12:42 am

Yesterday I got away from work early enough that I thought I could get a little toss into the youngsters. it was pretty cloudy with a head wind, but it was high cloud.
I have had a bit of trouble with them coming home broken up and I figured I would try a different tack. Instead of taking the whole lot I boxed up 18 of the older ones, that have finished the moult and look like yearlings. I took them a bit further, out to the edge of the State forest. They arrived in a bunch just after I got home. Just over 20 minutes. They must have been tramping.
So I will continue doing that. Press on with the older ones who do it right, and go back to short ones with the younger ones until they start nailing it.
I don't want them roaming the countryside, getting picked off by the hawks. Around here they need to learn to jump and go.
Once winter arrives, and it's starting to, they can all have a rest for a while.

Tue Apr 18, 2023 6:20 am

When does your racing start again Murray

Tue Apr 18, 2023 7:50 am

Good to hear all went well. Hope it continues.

Murray · Tue Apr 18, 2023 9:37 am

Buster121 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 18, 2023 6:20 am When does your racing start again Murray

They start in June. That would be like you starting young bird racing in November.

I say 'they'. I don't.

Murray · Tue Apr 18, 2023 9:56 am

I was just leaving work today at 4 o'clock when I had a call from my club mate David. 'Muzza!' he said. "Davey!" I replied.
He then asked if I could do him a favour, and go out and feed his birds. Again.
The family were away over the weekend, and I was happy to go out and care for them.
I was less happy to hear that he is in hospital and has the symptoms of a stroke. David is mid 40's, big strong and healthy, runs a freight business.
He has also had at least 3 Covid jabs, maybe 4.
It may be a complete co incidence.