Young un's.

Red cock and white hen sitting eggs.

Add to deep litter. Bug kiler.

You know, many times, including last year, I have admired Hals young birds. They bring back so many memories. Love the colours, and they give me a twinge of delight and wanting. It was the next biggest thing I loved regards pigeons... after seeing the beautiful and unusual colouring of their necks.

Indeed. Last year I was in the throes of giving away my birds and going ahead with the 'Deciding factor' to pack it up altogether.
His photos cause that burning in heart and the old memories of the 'Zest, and love made me decide to give it another go.


Sadly it wasn't to be. I never raced a bird and eventually parted company with my beloved friends. The not being able to do right by them … Thoughts of breeding more and more etc.  …


I gave them …
Never had pigeons in the garden! Well, outside of mine I never had pigeons visiting my garden. Indeed hardly a stray. Always said it was because the loft was under trees.
Then the wife was brought a 'Bird stand' via the daughter. -
Never had one before as I know many become a place for breakfast regards the S/H's. Though being fortunate in having many wild birds about.

 Now we see many birds of assorts feeding etc.- Have most years wrens and Blute t**s nesting in the garden. I had placed up 17 birds houses of different sorts and housing. Plus material.
Then a little while back a pigeon or two became visitors.
After the Cinema was pulled down, the street became a significant nesting site on the front of the houses. A few neighbours fed them in back gardens.


Now I get a variety of pigeons colours every day. Probably about 15.
Yes, memories stay, faded a mite,, but ...

Many thanks for the kind words! Anyway, plan here is this. Fly older ones Sat. 155 miles. No training, but almost open loft. Then perhaps 2 more weeks flying. With mixture of all. Idea is to cull by performance. Yearlings last week all home. It is hard to do!! Culling. Next year need much fewer pigeons and looking at the whites and reds. If not club racing then one lofters. Have a friend who will take all I have spare fortunately. His Gandaughter loves the whites so will band her some. It gets down to a pleasure of the sport. Pleasure from winning or seeing the birds home.
Genetics, colours, mentality of the birds that relate to you, all factors in keepers and culls. Enjoyment factor.. Rain today but rare visitor on the feeder..Rose breasted Grosbeak. No Gouldian finches here but apparently 50 species of parrots here in North America. Pet release birds. But thriving!

Yes! Mr Basket helps but doesn't cull. He will tell you what is what over some time.
I never culled. Maybe carried an unnecessary waste. However two things held me back - No not whether I have given them a fair, even good chance to shine, but A. watch for any improvement in youngsters... was mated some time to other so-called 'Culls'.
Then B. under the understanding that there is in reality very few, very few indeed, Good pigeons, let alone superb, I would float the eggs.
So the racers could then fly a nesting circle, but only rear any youngsters at the distance races.
Celibacy and widowerhood hens take all the beating. But a hen sitting 14 days is great for the distance or hard races, Then again 14 days later on a week old young. -- Have had a couple of pairs of youngster already.

The cock bird is best when feeding a big pair while driving the hen back to nest. Good again for the Distance- and hard races. J.M.O.

Another reason Barry impressed upon me to Time all in whether in the clock or not. Note nest circle or such a which produced the best results.
A game for sure of a thousand roads, eh!... Best get to, or as near as possible to nature, always seems to pay the best and highest dividends.