Cull birds.

Guy called me wanting culls. My usual fellow. Called 3 times. Once yesterday, twice today. Really wants them. Voice mail. Never take my cell phone with me, so missed the calls. Helping a daughter move. Must admit, any kid is better with a cell phone than I!! My wife always carries one. Upshot is I called him back and said not really worth his while. Only about 15 to 20 to go and would use them for pumpers if still here. Relented. He will be here to pick them up Sunday afternoon. So. Tomorrow a.m. Go by the usual criteria. So-so racing out. Breeds only the occasional good one out. Have to shut my eyes and go by performance. Sleepless night ahead!!

I don't envy you hal, I would hate having to choose who goes and who stays.......but I suppose it has to be done eh.


I wonder if the "cull man" is after keeping some for him self to breed from, he seems very keen.....?

Yes David, think he does. More power too him!

Birds gone. 16 of them. He brought me 50 1bs feed. Have room now for widowhood hens. May try one loft on that system. In the course of the conversation, asked him if they all went for meat. He said 'no'.
He picks out a few to breed off (which I had suspected.) and mentioned a great competitor of mine when we were in another club together. He also picks some out to breed off. Usually the reds. He also informed he wins a lot with them. Waste not want not!

so are you racing against your own birds with other fanciers hal...?

David, apparently so! Does not concern me too much. What does concern me is if the poorer performers breed good performers, how would one recognize them before culling? I assume some fanciers have the room to try them in the breeding loft. Most do not. Some fanciers can pick good breeders without performance behind them. I cannot. But wish for the insight!!

That's the trouble hal it usually happens to me keep the one's that win or consistent and give the rest away and they go on and breed winners and mine breed nothing that's pigeons for you