Im new and need some tips

Hi to all.

I'm new and would like some help and tips. I'm starting up on Racing Pigeons.

Where's the best place to start..

Where is the best place to get good stock birds for breeding off from?

What kinda set up will i need?

what's the best feed for them through winter & summer?

and is there a good or bad way of breeding?

I'd be very Grateful on any help or tips given to me.

Thank you in advance

Gordon

Come on chat talk to everyone

welcome to the site gordon, theres quite a few questions there for one post......lol but im sure some of our regular posters will eventually go through them one by one for you, or maybe you can read through previous posts and get some useful info.

Well Gordon do you want to race sprint, middle or long distance, or everything?

have you got a loft already?

hollo and wellcome to the site hope you enjoy its a great hobby*********

I've got a loft already yes.. I'd go for all at the moment as I've not taken part in anything yet and
I don't know what id be good at.. what would you recommend for a beginner?

At the moment I'm trying to get sorted on the stock birds so I can get my young birds for next year sometime.

Thanks

Look at the fanciers near where you live , find the winning fanciers see if you can purchase winning birds from them, even see if you can buy young birds for 2014, even try the lads on here their are some good top lofts on here which im sure would like tp help
Ken

Thanks very much ken.

I've so much questions to ask lol need to get as much info as possible so when i do have or get young birds or stock i know what im doing.. ive kept tipplers and tumblers for years is it all the same?

Gordon

your experience whith tumblers will stand you in good sted with racing pigeons Gordon ...its best to ask specific questions if you want responses from members of the site and that way it will be easier for you to follow atb

thanks... but i don't know what to ask?

i mean what makes a good racing pigeon?

are they fed just the same as tumblers and tipplers?

gordon

Not really feeding comes into play here more, but first u need to look at what distance u are looking at sprint middle or distance, which ever you decide for the first coupleof years fly the birds on the natural system while you start to learn the ropes easiest way is if you can go round to one of the top lofts in your area look what they do make notes watch every thing

Ok Thanks.

ill try to find some in my Area.

think im trying to run before i can walk here lol

if i can get the basics to start me off and get the ball rolling.

been told its a very hard sport and u need alot of cash to compete in the sport?

Gordon

The sport is as expensive as you want to make it , club racing is relatively cheap when you join specialist clubs nationals etc can cost a lot more, be realistic on what you want to pay for your birds remember it is a hobby more than anything else , enjoy the birds win or lose
Ken

Hi Gordon81, remember you can buy the very best pigeons that are winning everything but you cannot buy the fancierwho is who is racing them,and winning with them , this will be down to you and your management ask as many questions as you like everyone will give a slightly different view point write everything down then glean the stuff you think is appropriate to you and your set up , on this site there is some very good sprinters, Middle distance men and long distance men on here ie Stormqueen Peel Bros Ginger and many many more who will set you on the right path
Ken

Gordon81 wrote:

thanks... but i don't know what to ask?

i mean what makes a good racing pigeon?

are they fed just the same as tumblers and tipplers?

gordon

Welcome to our little site Gordon   "First off"     slow down a wee bit   , if you don't ???????? I can see a train wreck type of thing in the distance etc. Now !!!!!! before you do anything "Ask yourself"   & be truthful     with one self. what type of nature/style do you have in your daily life. Go Go Go type 100mph etc & if that is the case I would suggest you become a sprint man 100/250 miles. Now, if on the other hand, you have the patience & the memory of an elphant so to speak "like me"   I would suggest you attempt to concentrate on the distance events 400/600 miles Where !!!!!!     the men come out to play etc. "Enough said" but what ever you decide etc, always remember it should all be about enjoyement in regards to what path you may take & if a few wins may come your way so to speak. That is just the icing on the cake.  
*****

Right, this is what ive got so far..

i brought some stock birds 14 whites and was given 7 blue hens all rung up. but white one's no rings. ive bred 6 young birds from them they seem ok, 5 whites and one silver with white head ( nice colour)

i had a few babies die in there nest but i think it was because of mites, so went out and got some spray. i have 5 young birds flying but only in this past week they have been flying so not 100% broke.

ive been given another baby tonight, his parents are good im told and his dad won a race the other week. not sure what one tho. hes not rung up tho.

today i split the hens & cocks up but left the 6 young ones with hens, is this ok to do? as i think there not ready to be on there own yet.

1) Are the pipo boxes any good for breading in? if not what's recommended?
2) What's best to feed them on when feeding young?
3) i've been told that birds with short beaks are no good for breeding. ( not sure if this is true)

thanks Gordon

Gordon81 wrote:

Right, this is what ive got so far..

i brought some stock birds 14 whites and was given 7 blue hens all rung up. but white one's no rings. ive bred 6 young birds from them they seem ok, 5 whites and one silver with white head ( nice colour)

i had a few babies die in there nest but i think it was because of mites, so went out and got some spray. i have 5 young birds flying but only in this past week they have been flying so not 100% broke.

ive been given another baby tonight, his parents are good im told and his dad won a race the other week. not sure what one tho. hes not rung up tho.

today i split the hens & cocks up but left the 6 young ones with hens, is this ok to do? as i think there not ready to be on there own yet.

1) Are the pipo boxes any good for breading in? if not what's recommended?
2) What's best to feed them on when feeding young?
3) i've been told that birds with short beaks are no good for breeding. ( not sure if this is true)

thanks Gordon

Hi Gordan, MMMmmmmmmm   14 whites unrung "Potential stock birds" may I suggest you attempt to find out if they have any history/pedigree in the racing area (long or short) etc & it might just save you some pain down the track, so to speak.
Now !!! question one   wouldn't have a clue       I have never seen them. Thou !!  
Pigeons will breed in a shoe box    if they are fit & healthy, thou it pays to give them as much room as you can & never overcrowd them etc.
2, Protein Protein & Protein, a few fats also along with some chicken pellets & that should have you breeding some future little champs "hopefully".
3, True !!!!! many of the fancy breeds etc have this problem. racing pigeons for what I have seen it is not a problem/issue & I would be very wary of pigeons with this trait in the racing scene.  
*****

Thanks very much. I didn't even think about the chicken pellets good idea!

as for the 14 white Unrung pigeons i can't get in touch with who i brought them off now

but the same person gave me 7 hens all rung up and one with a gold ring on if that means anything?

I've got 6 young ones with my rings on at the moment.. is there any do's & dont's with young birds?

When can u start taking them out for there training?

Thanks
Gordon

morning gordon, have you had your ybs out of the loft yet ? if not they need to go out as soon as possible after you have weaned them , so they can have a good look around and get to know your loft position etc........if you have not had them out yet how old are they ?

Hi, yeah I've got 5 flying around but 6 still to come out there a month old fully feathered and starting to pick up on there own.

I've lost 2 ybs though Yesterday i really need a good break lol

gordon

i need to get my hands on some good ybs or some good stock birds rung up.

Gordon

are you going to join a club to race gordon, or are you already a member of one ...?

I've registered RPRA so i could get rings for ybs. thats it at the moment.

i want to find my feet in this sport first before i join one. i want to get as much info as i can so i dont go in blind.

yes thats the best way, i think you need to get the basics right to start with, feeding, exercise etc........learn how to look after them properly first then progress onto training/racing.

what aare you keeping your birds in at the moment, a proper pigeon loft, self made loft or a conveted garden shed ? whats your ventilation like ?

Have a look on eBay you'll be able to get films and books to help you out with getting you started