How’s the breeding going

Just wondering how members breeding programs are going has anyone had any bad hatches with the cold weather we have had my self I haven’t paired anything up yet can’t see the point when I can’t have them out till the weekend like to get the old birds in training before I have any young around me

pair up then hard frosts got few blank eggs won't pair up again early

hi mark, yes i paired early, have around 26 in the nest 12 with rings on , should have rung another 6 today but will do them tomorrow .......ive had a few pairs eggs that didnt hatch but not too bothered, i think its because of the cold weather so i wont be pairing early again next year .

first ones due to hatch in next few days, all laid in a few days of each other. Lost some eggs through fighting. Typically 3 pairs I wanted and all full. Strange thing is they all sat 10-12 days without any issues at all, all peace and quiet then over a few days some just decided to go nest wrecking. Nearly first hole of 2023 dug in the garden.

this is what i lock the cock in the nestbox with for 10 mins sometimes you may need to do twice but he soon stops 

Think pigeons can get bored and cannot bear to see others happy, so go on a wrecking spree.

Need something to keep them occupied.

Regards.

barnie wrote:

first ones due to hatch in next few days, all laid in a few days of each other. Lost some eggs through fighting. Typically 3 pairs I wanted and all full. Strange thing is they all sat 10-12 days without any issues at all, all peace and quiet then over a few days some just decided to go nest wrecking. Nearly first hole of 2023 dug in the garden.

Been my pet hate here for many years etc Colin I'm Fighting cocks. Damage in the stock loft quite extraordinary at times I found.

MISTY wrote:

Think pigeons can get bored and cannot bear to see others happy, so go on a wrecking spree.

Need something to keep them occupied.

Regards.

i have a hen like that george, always trying to pair with other cocks and smashing eggs etc, she had her own mate in the past yet isn't interested in him now, just wants to cause disruption with other pairs ....i sometimes think of re homing her

David i have 2 pairs changed partners this year

George & Morgan wrote:

David i have 2 pairs changed partners this year

Change as good as a rest George.

Regards.

still have 3 pairs not down on eggs yet

George & Morgan wrote:

still have 3 pairs not down on eggs yet

How things have changed.

Article in BHW regarding pairing up in March big difference to December.

Regards.

in 60s misty it was distance racing so you would pair up middle of March

just rung 8 young birds, that makes 20 thats been rung .......up to date now with ringing

do you check each day David the ring is still on i hate a unrung bird

normally i dont george, no ......the only time i do check is if the yb seems small when i ring it, thankfully i think ive only ever had it happen once or twice but ive managed to get the ring back on.

George & Morgan wrote:

in 60s misty it was distance racing so you would pair up middle of March

Think mother nature knows best George.

Many fanciers today pair up from December onwards today right up to March, depends what your aim is.

Pulling flights to me is disgusting as are many aids to win.

Just like to keep to nature and it paid off for me.

Me happy, pigeons ideal life and happy, who could ask for more.

Regards.

have to agree with you misty but why talk about it they should keep it to themselves

just looked at the single yb it's crop is full there is no room for one pea yet it is small

some just are smaller george, ive had two ybs in a nest and one is bigger than the other, then after a while the smaller one catches up with the bigger one .

as long as its healthy i wouldnt worry about it .

will leave David do hate it but then this is what the dam looked like in olr

she looks a smallish bird to me george, so i wouldnt worry about her yb being on the small side ..

speaking to a chap he like me have found pairing up older birds early they are slow laying also thinking i have 2 pairs blank

i threw 2 more eggs today, gone cold....not bothered though ive got plenty for now .

i must start writing down dates eggs are laid