Winter exercise???

Hi all,

What have others been doing with their pigeons throughout the off season with regards to exercise etc......Total lockdown or regular loft exercise?

How has it affected pairing etc, if at all, for those that have paired early.

Im a complete novice but decided that i would maintain a regular once a week loft flying of my pigeons and honestly believe this to have helped in the yearlings staying trim and pairing up v. well.

complete lockdown for me over the winter from beginning of october until march theres no point letting them out to be harassed or killed around here ,its bad enough racing season.just have to be careful not to overfeed the birds but all handle well and dont feel overweight ,they been on a ounce per bird per day and no t*t bits or peanuts just a good all round mix

mine have been kept inside, i originally let them out once a week after racing but then decided to stop this.........i will be pairing up end jan/begin feb and handling the birds they seem ok, not too fat at all.

been feeding 40% super diet since racing ended,

Mine go out every day, rain or shine or nearly every day (dependant upon light levels)and judging by the enthusiasm they love it, they climb and fall over each other on the way out. I know I'm in the vast minority on this but whilst there are BOPs about I don't think I have the problems others have. Another reason is my loft is quite small and so it's much easier to clean out when they're out.

I enjoy seeing them flying, pecking about my garden and having their weekly bath plus they're no trouble getting back in when I'm ready. I'm not sure when it comes to early races whether or not they're going to be any better than birds kept in over the winter - I suspect not but I'm happy seeing them looking happy especially tumbling around on the sunnier days. JMO

if i let mine out daily i would not have many left lol wish i could and must be of benefit to the birds themselves and steal you a march in the early old bird races

So maybe loft location with regards to things like BOPs make certain fanciers minds up for them???

mine go out every fourtnight for a bit of excercise and they seem to be fine on it so i think its just whether you have problems ie hawks but if i did have hawk problems they wouldnt be out

The birds have been kept in since the last race no point feeding the raptors in winter time

mine go out everyday, just do what they want but i make them go up at first then they just mess about.in my opinion it makes it easier later on when i want hem race fit

must look like a constant cloud over sheileds when you turn your birds out ray all 500 of um lol

ray could have a FUT race all on his own.................. .

mine are kept in after last race until this years youngbirds are off them they dont get out

getting my 20 fut rings friday i hope

theres none left ray

phoned today loads left ian

so how do you know they have all gone ian or are you just winding me up again lol