UkPigeonRacing

Yes Murray following your comment in your topic “don’t mess with things” I am certainly still continuing the project. Things have changed a bit due to all the new regulations around flying from Europe. My aim is still the same but might just take a bit longer and take a different route to get there. At present my probable aim is to have a couple of years flying North. This could still give us at least one 500+ mile race per year and good experience for others. These birds could then be switched back South if things around flying over the channel change.
I haven’t fully decided yet but probably won’t be racing any youngsters this year. I had planned on sending a few to Ashbourne but partly because I have been so busy with one thing and another and because of the blip I had in their health a couple of days ago I’m not sure I will. If I don’t I will continue to train them when I can. As you know I don’t worry if they get raced as youngsters or not.
This would give us a big team of old birds to start next year with. I still have both of Pete’s youngsters, all six of Buster’s and three of the four from Trev. I have only lost two youngsters this year both off the loft. One from Trev and one I bred. I have several youngsters here bred down from members birds even if not direct.

Good to see all still there, and good on losses although never nice to lose any especially off loft we all know it happens, what you say makes perfect sense mate

Thanks for that summary of what's happening, Andy.
Your plans make perfect sense. Regarding the young birds, I would have to agree, racing them won't gain you much and will take too much effort for little reward.
That said, my opinion is that road training when they are young teaches them their 'trade' as racing pigeons. I would encourage you to give them some good tosses before putting them away.
That aside, you have my full support. Your patience and determination to achieve the goal will eventually pay off.

Thanks for your support both of you. The main thing to have with distance racing, and especially the marathon races, is patience. My best distance pigeons over the years haven’t shown much in their first couple of years and it’s only when tested at the distance that they prove themselves.
I will try to take some photos of the youngsters and old birds and let members know what they are from.

Andy wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 2:09 pm Thanks for your support both of you. The main thing to have with distance racing, and especially the marathon races, is patience. My best distance pigeons over the years haven’t shown much in their first couple of years and it’s only when tested at the distance that they prove themselves.
I will try to take some photos of the youngsters and old birds and let members know what they are from.

Look forward to seeing them mate