Do I send them back.

[Diamond Dave]

It's great to have someone to talk to about things I am not sure about and this is one of them....
Last week my yearling cocks went to bicc nort sur erdre
(323 miles) 4 of them came next day but didn't seem to be that hurt by it.
Next week ( 2 weeks later) is Bicc st. Philbert which is a similar distance.
My question is......is it too soon to send them again.?
My 1st bird from last week was another yearling flying 8 hours and I do intend to send him again, just not sure about the late-comers.
Thanks

[Diamond Dave]

Brilliant - thanks gentleman. That "disclaimer" made me laugh Murray. I guess I deserved that after my last request. Honestly though, its really good to have that experience to call on and the way you put it was very helpful.

[Diamond Dave]

Too true Murray, probem is I dont have many birds and I these are the best Ive ever had and I think I am just scared of losing them.

[Albert]

Don't worry about the one's you loose, just concentrate on what comes home.

[Diamond Dave]

Thanks Albert. So how can I tell if the night out on the last race has taken too much out of them.
They have all come back 'bouncing' and chasing their hens again but 2 of them are quite skinny compared to the others.

[Diamond Dave]

Both the 2 questionables are driving their hens to a point where they are nearly ready to lay - would that be a reason for not putting the weight they lost in the race back on.

[Diamond Dave]

Both the 2 questionables are driving their hens to a point where they are nearly ready to lay - would that be a reason for not putting the weight they lost in the race back on.

[goose1]

Both the 2 questionables are driving their hens to a point where they are nearly ready to lay - would that be a reason for not putting the weight they lost in the race back on.

Are these cocks that are driving being fed in a communal feeder or individually in their boxes?

[Diamond Dave]

Yes Goose - hopper fed. I can feed them in the boxes if it benefits them - I will be basketing them first thing Thursday so only really have 3 days to work with now........

[goose1]

Yes Goose - hopper fed. I can feed them in the boxes if it benefits them - I will be basketing them first thing Thursday so only really have 3 days to work with now........

Yes well driving will be effecting their weight as they won't eat properly with their attention on the hen. Obviously the reason for the drive is for the cock bird to make sure no other cock mates with his hen. So while on the floor the cock is interested in his hen more than feed. I'd definitely feed cocks in the box while driving. The only time I wouldn't do this would be if I wanted to make sure the hen layed promptly But if the cocks are your main focus feed in box until hen lays.