To send or not to send!

Hi. This is my first ever post so be gentle please. I am new to the sport of pigeon racing in fact this is the first year I have ever kept the birds. So you could say I am a real novice!
I have a young bird race tomorrow, 200 miler, and this will be their 4th race having missed last week. I have noticed that they could be in moult as there are feathers everywhere at the moment. During the last couple of months they have dropped the odd flight but that’s it. Some look like they have lost tail feathers and their necks look a little bit” worse from wear” So my question is do I send tomorrow or not?

200 miles is a big ask for birds in moult also what route do you fly wind will be a factor
if on the nose and ide say 99.9% you will be beaton by darkness birds as this is your first year ide keep what you got for next year so you can race old birds or you will be back to square one

good advice graham.

We race North Road. Tomorrow is Wetherby to Essex and looking at the forecast the wind is almost behind them.
Given your advise below I shouldn't really send them as I could be left with no old birds for next year.

Is it OK to still exercise then?

leave them at home andy not a gd idea to send them like that mate if there in heavy moult they will go down wat you gta take into account is if there is rain or heavy head wind you can say bye bye to them they don't even like it wen in tip top condition never worry to much flight wise as long as they bursted the flight through but cover. head and neck is a no go mate .jmo ive I was wantin to send and ive not sure get some 1 who knows abit about pigeons to look at them m8 ok and maybe send a few that's lookin gd mate all the best with wat you do ? cheers steve

boylard912 wrote:

Hi. This is my first ever post so be gentle please. I am new to the sport of pigeon racing in fact this is the first year I have ever kept the birds. So you could say I am a real novice!
I have a young bird race tomorrow, 200 miler, and this will be their 4th race having missed last week. I have noticed that they could be in moult as there are feathers everywhere at the moment. During the last couple of months they have dropped the odd flight but that’s it. Some look like they have lost tail feathers and their necks look a little bit” worse from wear” So my question is do I send tomorrow or not?

Sorry Boylard912   We are a mean brutal lot here    & to ask us to be on the gentle side of life etc, may stretch the friendship somewhat       . Now !!!!! to your query   Early days one could say etc for you at this time in your career, so retire while you are in front & then you will have them for next year. "Patience"     learn what it means & put it into practice. Then your enjoyment may surprise you, with what you get out of your birds etc.  
*****

boylard912 wrote:

We race North Road. Tomorrow is Wetherby to Essex and looking at the forecast the wind is almost behind them.
Given your advise below I shouldn't really send them as I could be left with no old birds for next year.

Is it OK to still exercise then?

yes by all mean let them out and get some nice baths out for um whats a couple of races they have a few years ahead now

Well I guess I was being a little optimistic when I asked you all to take it easy on me   

"Patience" has never been one of my strong points, come to think of it i don't actually have any strong point I am how ever trying to learn the art of "Patience" and thank you for your words of wisdom. It does seam a shame they have only had 3 races :-(

if you send them it could also be there last race head the advice we all made the mistake and regretted it and we are all still learning

really not much to add you been given some very good advice   i would keep them at home and yes let them out but dont force fly them  and have the bath out most days   the bath will help them moult   and try and feed them a good moulting mix  do not stint on the food  you want them to get a good moult   remember next years races are won now the moult is very important   best of luck sean

andy been in this game 30 odd yrs mate and still learnin pmsl .but never be afraid to ask advice theres some gd lads on here if we can help we will all the best mate ill defo catch up with you today lol make it my mission haha  

Thanks guys they will be staying home now.

On a different thread On of they youngsters can back from a training toss with a large gash on the side of his breast up near his leg. I have sprayed it with iodine but wondered if there was anything better I could use to help it heal. It doesn't appear to effect his flying but he has a very slight limp.

Andy

andy the best thing ive used and always carry it in med cupboard is johnsons baby talc the unscented 1 m8 just squeeze utill it packs it out defo works and drys all moist up but ive very deep may need stitchin cotton will do and spray with iodine m8

Thanks for the info Steve Will see if EssexSteve can give me a hand, after I get some stitching cotton and I think it might need it! be ashame to dispatch him as he is a good boy!! even though he is a well bred Roland Janssen!!!

thanks for the pics earlier as I think out mails crossed. adding them to the site at the min!!!

ok andy no probs m8 will be ok if just give it a couple to pull it together or pluck somme feathers eith side with tweezers and use stery strips from chemist mate and talc over it ok? ye hope the pics ok m8 will photo stock and more soon as they clean up in moult m8  

hi andy, welcome to the site.........good advise from stew re the baby powder, but baking powder also works if you have any   

Thanks for the advise David. I know this sounds stupid bit I presume you use the power after it is all sown up?

if you use the baby/baking powder it dries the cut up and helps it heal better, probably helps it to scab over......you can buy wound powder from the vets, doing it with baby/baking powder saves you some money....... 

Oh right I understand now thanks

Your youngsters have done plenty having 4 races, put them to bed and have more fun next year with them.

I have stopped mine this year after 4 races and only 165 miles, they will be better next year, some people love yb racing and go every race, I hate it and think we loose our best birds racing ybs every year, its a schooling time for them as they have the rest of their lives to race not just 1 year.

Rudderfett wrote:

I have stopped mine this year after 4 races and only 165 miles, they will be better next year, some people love yb racing and go every race, I hate it and think we loose our best birds racing ybs every year, its a schooling time for them as they have the rest of their lives to race not just 1 year.

Will second that Martyn