Who has paired there racers and stock

[goose1]

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.

[Simeon Turner]

Race birds paired last Monday (19/01/2026) 17 pairs - All nicely settled and busy making nests.

Stock birds paired today (Saturday 24/01/2026) - 12 Pairs - All seen OK will start letting them out in the next day or so.

[Royc]

Stock birds will be paired 8th Feb (when I can get time off work ) and the race birds will be end of Feb or first week in March

[Royc]

Thanks, this site has picked up the last few months or so with good info from knowledgeable people

[Diamond Dave]

I usually pair up when the hens become troublesome.
Racing the distance I prefer to pair as late as poss.
I can cope with 1 or 2 of the hens pairing together because I can keep them seperate but when 3 or 4 pair together its much harder to keep them all apart so thats when I decide to pair up.
Not sure if this has any benefit or not but defo not looking for early youngbirds.

[Matt Wright]

We paired both racers and stock up yesterday, all ok at the moment.