king wrote: Sun Jan 18, 2026 4:53 pm
No plans till at least mid- Feb. If cold then it will be later.
This is going to be a daft question I know, but what’s the impact of a cold snap on breeding assuming the parents are siting tight?
No it's not a daft question Pete. In my 50+ years of breeding I have paired early in very cold weather maybe as cold as -10. If pigeons are fit and prepared well, when paired cold weather has NO impact on breeding.
That said the number one problem most fanciers experience is clear eggs, especially with older stock.
My reason for not pairing early anymore, is several reasons. I no longer race, have a lot of very old birds and with ill health, fanciers who I breed birds to race for me, get them when I choose to breed them. With copd I don't like to spend more time than I have too in the cold.
king wrote: Sun Jan 18, 2026 4:53 pm
No plans till at least mid- Feb. If cold then it will be later.
This is going to be a daft question I know, but what’s the impact of a cold snap on breeding assuming the parents are siting tight?
No it's not a daft question Pete. In my 50+ years of breeding I have paired early in very cold weather maybe as cold as -10. If pigeons are fit and prepared well, when paired cold weather has NO impact on breeding.
That said the number one problem most fanciers experience is clear eggs, especially with older stock.
My reason for not pairing early anymore, is several reasons. I no longer race, have a lot of very old birds and with ill health, fanciers who I breed birds to race for me, get them when I choose to breed them. With copd I don't like to spend more time than I have too in the cold.
Ah ok King thank you. I’m pairing today for a couple of reasons. 1. I’ve bought marathon stock birds that I want to get as many viable rounds as possible from (so will be swapping first round eggs out from some of my middle distance pairs). 2. I’m away to New Zealand and Australia for best part of a month soon so need to get breeding underway.
Someone was telling me that snow is heading back again in a week or so, which had me thinking I was going to be caught between a rock and a hard place !
CHARLTON34 wrote: Sun Jan 18, 2026 3:17 pm
My plan was to pair in November but as you know I've not been that mobile, so I've only just paired stock up, I've asked Mike his thoughts about this so will see what he thinks is achievable.
If it's dead in the water with my original plan then I will race my obs what I have, & get some of this year's ring to put on my ybs, only breeding from stock nothing from my racers.
ConorP wrote: Sun Jan 18, 2026 9:44 pm
Ill be pairing the stock 14th feb and the last few years ive paired my racers first weekend in march when i come back from belgium, i do this so i can train the cocks driving then together with the hens when there on eggs and split after the first race
Be the best couple of days around mid Feb this year for me. I'd ideally like it to be later but with having to break these pigeons to the new loft I'll have to give myself an extra couple of weeks.
goose1 wrote: Mon Jan 19, 2026 1:48 pm
Be the best couple of days around mid Feb this year for me. I'd ideally like it to be later but with having to break these pigeons to the new loft I'll have to give myself an extra couple of weeks.
How’s the sparrow hawks around you mate
Will you flag your naturals to avoid a ambush strike so in the air or in the loft or go with a more open loft excersise period
goose1 wrote: Mon Jan 19, 2026 1:48 pm
Be the best couple of days around mid Feb this year for me. I'd ideally like it to be later but with having to break these pigeons to the new loft I'll have to give myself an extra couple of weeks.
How’s the sparrow hawks around you mate
Will you flag your naturals to avoid a ambush strike so in the air or in the loft or go with a more open loft excersise period
Sparrow hawks were a big problem a few years back over the old loft but we did get sorted. Touch wood I actually haven't seen one over here yet but I've a feeling it could be a problem when trying to break birds. I am a fan of the flag to be honest Neil and always have been down the old loft. The pigeons would probably have exercised fine without it but I've always liked to use the flag as when it's up your flying and once its down your in the loft. I like discipline regardless of whether their sprinters or distance pigeons to be honest mate.
goose1 wrote: Mon Jan 19, 2026 1:48 pm
Be the best couple of days around mid Feb this year for me. I'd ideally like it to be later but with having to break these pigeons to the new loft I'll have to give myself an extra couple of weeks.
How’s the sparrow hawks around you mate
Will you flag your naturals to avoid a ambush strike so in the air or in the loft or go with a more open loft excersise period
Sparrow hawks were a big problem a few years back over the old loft but we did get sorted. Touch wood I actually haven't seen one over here yet but I've a feeling it could be a problem when trying to break birds. I am a fan of the flag to be honest Neil and always have been down the old loft. The pigeons would probably have exercised fine without it but I've always liked to use the flag as when it's up your flying and once its down your in the loft. I like discipline regardless of whether their sprinters or distance pigeons to be honest mate.
Totally agree mine have a pole and orange bag when it’s up they know they must be in the air
I think people believe your out there chasing them with it when really it’s a sign to them of what’s expected
It makes life so much easier if your working and doing the pigeons to a schedule
