Bicc Pau

[Bowbroom]

Only you can decide your birds fate

[Trev]

When you try to go into it in depth, it won't work, you either send Y/L or you don't. When flying south road the prevailing wind is S/W, and I don't believe that all these men that are preparing thier yearlings for these races are looking that far into the future. Any race flown in a nose wind can be difficult, its the chance you take.

Yes Albert, I can't find a satisfactory weather forecast that indicates where the wind is going to be.
The Bicc is a bit better than some other organisations because you don't need to book them in advance.
So, I am preparing a couple of yearlings anyway in the hope the weather is going to be kind - if not, they won't go.
I have 2 x 2yo that weren't good enough to go to Pau that will be going anyway.

Sorry I'm a bit late joining the party again Dave
You've already recieved some good advice, and quite rightly come to your own decision.
However I will just add my thoughts, I think certain strains of pigeon develop at different rates and to me yearlings (especially the distance strains) are like teenagers, they are still growing and developing their muscles.
You will find in most creatures, especially humans, that most young and fit ones will sprint, but endurance often comes with a bit more age.
There is no doubting that in the right conditions a yearling, or even a youngster will do the distance, however my concern has always been, will it ever do it again !!
Over the 45 plus years that have been racing pigeons myself I have had yearlings fly over 400miles, but can't think of any that have done it again. My most recent experience of this was only season, I sent every old bird in my loft that was fit enough to Crieff (404miles to me), this included about a dozen yearlings. The conditions were good, infact it was a bit of a blow home, and I got 20/24 home, half of these on the day. My first bird home was a yearling and won the club, sadly he and most of the others who made it home just haven't quite hit the mark again this year and have been lost from shorter races. I have 4 yearlings left that flew Crieff last year, they will be going there again next week so we'll see what happens then.
Having said all that, if you look at migratory birds like Swifts, Swallows, starlings etc, they fly thousands of miles at just a few months old and will do it again the next year. Also they do it without all the medication, suplements and fancy feeds that our pigeons get, so I guess its having the right birds for the job thats the real key, not necessarily how we treat them.

[Diamond Dave]

Thanks Trev - appreciate the reply mate.

[Bowbroom]

You have to have the right stock of course but they have to be prepared correctly also, the most able birds will NOT perform if not treated and prepared for the job in hand.
It’s your decision of course but if my yearlings had been over the pond 3 times this year they would be put aside to mature for next year

[PeteDerby]

Really interesting discussion. I’ve nothing to add as I don’t have the experience, so this is just to say thanks to the contributors

[Murray]

Really interesting discussion. I’ve nothing to add as I don’t have the experience, so this is just to say thanks to the contributors

Yes it's been a good discussion. Various methods and ways of thinking.
Many roads lead to Rome, as they say.

[Diamond Dave]

Thanks gents, I have now been able to see some decent weather forecasts for the Friday and Saturday and if it had been kinder, I might have sent a couple of yearlings but with a good deal of East in the wind I have decided to keep them at home.
I will still have a couple of 2yo going so will still suffer the normal anxiety of a long distance race day along with probably getting up at silly o'clock on Sat morning
BUT will love it just the same!
Thanks all for taking the trouble to share your thoughts.

[Devo1956]

Yes it as been a good topic, and members getting involved. Giving their views I am sure helped Dave along the way. Well done to all.