UkPigeonRacing

Don't know how I did that, but i posted that twice!

I was poking around in the cupboard looking for a snacky lunch, and came across a tin of sardines. That'll do, I said.
On a couple of pieces of toast, eaten bachelor style, i.e. over the sink it was just the job.
When I was washing the can before putting it in the recycling, I turned it over and read the back, as I often do. There in bold letters were the words

CONTAINS FISH

Well knock me down with a feather

Murray wrote: ↑Sat Sep 21, 2024 4:09 am I was poking around in the cupboard looking for a snacky lunch, and came across a tin of sardines. That'll do, I said.
On a couple of pieces of toast, eaten bachelor style, i.e. over the sink it was just the job.
When I was washing the can before putting it in the recycling, I turned it over and read the back, as I often do. There in bold letters were the words

CONTAINS FISH

Well knock me down with a feather

Sunday morning and i was hoping to get a couple of pigeons out today. Not looking hopeful. Once again It's cold and overcast and trying to rain. The wind is blustery and the little windmill in the garden is spinning at 100 miles an hour.
I am glad that the lofts ended up facing east as the prevailing wind comes from the west so the sheds back on to it.
The temperatures doggedly remain cold. Once again the daily temperatures refuse to rise above the long term average for September. I have the front of the loft closed up because the wind blowing in the back vent howls through if it's open. I put two layers of fly screen on both sides of the aviary on the stock shed to break the wind a bit, the pigeons look a lot happier not being so cold.
Some of the pigeons are starting to get keen about getting out now, but I want the weather to settle a bit. Yesterday the wind blew up and a sudden downpour sent water under the back door over the kitchen floor! It lasted all of 2 minutes, but it might not have been good if I had pigeons out for the first time in it.
Frustrating.

You will get there eventually Murray, are you having them sitting anything when you let them out

Enjoy your day Murray, it will soon be summer.

I’m sure you’ll get there soon enough Murray. You’ve waited this long a few more days won’t hurt. Is the water coming in the back door and into the kitchen going to give you a problem in future?

One thing I have learned over the years is if you want to re home a pigeon, the sooner you get it out the better. I have been cooling my heels for the last 10 days or so.
The weather cleared at noon yesterday, and I let a bunch of them out. The Roadrunner and the Trillian Baby I locked in the box. Keeping them in was most important. The big Heremans cock was dozing on his eggs, and his little mate is homed in already.
So, with a deep breath I opened the sputnik and Gordon's box. A few came out. Then I shut the trap.
Of course Gordon just went in and out of the loft a few times. had a look around and sat back on his eggs, He's not going anywhere.
The others had poke around in the garden then something spooked them and up they went. An hour latter I had two hens back in. I was still missing two young hens, the grizzle's mate, and worst, the white flight Thone' cock.
I was quite worried, but I saw the odd pigeon flying around all day.
This morning was foggy and damp, and there were none on the board. We had to go to Bendigo to see the lady to see if I am still alive. I am.
When we got home, nothing. I was starting to get a bit upset, when 'Clonk', the white flight landed beside me and dropped in
The wee Melbourne hen had been feeding the babies, but was looking sad. She was looking deflated. An hour later she was all pumped up and bossy again.
I told my wife I am going to call her Catherine. "I don't want a pigeon named after me!" she said. I smiled. "This one you do" I said.

I am so pleased to see that cock home. He's been locked up since January, I don't know how far he's flown, but he's bloody tired, and the first thing he did was feed the babies. I made statements about how much I value that pigeon, I would have looked foolish if he had got lost the first time I let him out.

Still missing two young hens which had never been flown. May not see them again. And the grizzle Thone's mate. She may still arrive.
I have a handful of homed pigeons now, and the weather for latter this week is good. So I will let another couple out every day and see how we go.

A great read Murray, i hope the others return home for you. It is really good you have some flying out. I cant wait to see your birds, keep on smiling mate and enjoy time with your birds,