A Harsh Lesson at Bath: My Season Opener Disaster

[PeteDerby]

Thanks Neil and Mike. For info, latest test results were from 4 weeks ago - I’m getting them checked regularly now at the pigeon testing lab. I don’t think I’m getting the feeding right yet.

They’re too fat for my liking, although folks handling them at the club who are way more experienced than me say otherwise.

The one that’s coming good for me you mention, Mike feels perfect weight. They all get an ounce of Gerry Plus a day, which I stepped up to Superstar Plus with some energy plus (20%) when the forecast said it was going to be north east winds. I only trained once last week and their loft flying was pathetic because of the wind and I think that was a mistake and the combination of both the feed and the lack of exercise left them too heavy.

I gave them complete rest all day Sunday, they loft flew for 15 mins Monday morning and only 5 mins Monday evening. Today I thought sod them, got them down the road 25miles in a north easterly and flagged them for 30mins this evening. I also followed the suggestion to top them up with barley after their evening feed, so let’s see if I strike a better balance racing this weekend.

[PeteDerby]

Hopefully that Barley does the trick it sounds like you getting on top of it

Pete the test you have do they include respo I did the loft text with Donel and with Poultry health that included respo but now I just sent a test kit off for the basics to pigeon testing centre in Essex . I just wondered if yours include respo what price it was ?is it similar to the full test that was over £100 only I would like respo tested regular but it does get a bit expensive to do so where the basics I can get done for £15

Donal did the respo test before breeding season and sent me a treatment which he said was specifically for whatever he said they had. I got a second opinion from another vet source following someone advising me to do so. The vet told me the ‘specific’ treatment was like a hand gun, a shot gun, a howitzer and a nuclear bomb - I.e. a blast to kill everything which, in their opinion, was unnecessary. My last lot of tests was Essex and was throat and crop swabs plus droppings. Everything came back negative.

Someone recommended one crystals to clear the sinuses - can’t remember the name of them right now but he listed some impressive fanciers who use them so might give them a go. I do use yellow drops midweek.

[CHARLTON34]

Cheers Pete
Sounds like you went through a similar process to me with the testing
And treatment
I had a mix of Baytril / amoxicillin/ and I think chloro something all pretty harsh as my results were only 3 bacteria’s of which when I googled 2 pretty much exist in pigeons
I love the yellow drops one of the best things going
I think I have seen the crystals advertised but never used them

It’s a shame we can’t get the respo testing a bit cheaper but imagine there’s a fair bit to it compared to the 4 basics

Would that be Ferox Crystals or the Plateeuw yellow Crystals for respo.

[PeteDerby]

Thanks Neil and Mike. For info, latest test results were from 4 weeks ago - I’m getting them checked regularly now at the pigeon testing lab. I don’t think I’m getting the feeding right yet.

They’re too fat for my liking, although folks handling them at the club who are way more experienced than me say otherwise.

The one that’s coming good for me you mention, Mike feels perfect weight. They all get an ounce of Gerry Plus a day, which I stepped up to Superstar Plus with some energy plus (20%) when the forecast said it was going to be north east winds. I only trained once last week and their loft flying was pathetic because of the wind and I think that was a mistake and the combination of both the feed and the lack of exercise left them too heavy.

I gave them complete rest all day Sunday, they loft flew for 15 mins Monday morning and only 5 mins Monday evening. Today I thought sod them, got them down the road 25miles in a north easterly and flagged them for 30mins this evening. I also followed the suggestion to top them up with barley after their evening feed, so let’s see if I strike a better balance racing this weekend.

Lets look at last week

Did they get an ounce on Wednesday & Thursday ?

Yes, 40%Gerry + 40% superstar + 20% energy +

[PeteDerby]

Cheers Pete
Sounds like you went through a similar process to me with the testing
And treatment
I had a mix of Baytril / amoxicillin/ and I think chloro something all pretty harsh as my results were only 3 bacteria’s of which when I googled 2 pretty much exist in pigeons
I love the yellow drops one of the best things going
I think I have seen the crystals advertised but never used them

It’s a shame we can’t get the respo testing a bit cheaper but imagine there’s a fair bit to it compared to the 4 basics

Would that be Ferox Crystals or the Plateeuw yellow Crystals for respo.

Yes, that’s them. Anyone use them?

[PeteDerby]

Cheers Pete
Sounds like you went through a similar process to me with the testing
And treatment
I had a mix of Baytril / amoxicillin/ and I think chloro something all pretty harsh as my results were only 3 bacteria’s of which when I googled 2 pretty much exist in pigeons
I love the yellow drops one of the best things going
I think I have seen the crystals advertised but never used them

It’s a shame we can’t get the respo testing a bit cheaper but imagine there’s a fair bit to it compared to the 4 basics

Yes agree Neil. I just want a test centre for respo I can hang my hat on and know they’re telling it right

[PeteDerby]

Just as a general update I took them 25 miles again today in a strong east wind, they came well. Same as last night with food this morning - 1/2 oz each of 70% depurative 30% Gerry +, 30 mins loft fly again this evening, same 1/2 oz mix but then gave as much barley as those who wanted to eat on top.

As I sat watching them fly without flagging this evening it dawned on me that I bought decent pigeons but fed and exercised them like homers rather than the athletes they are in terms of monitoring diet with weight with effort in exercise - and pushing them when they were being bloody lazy at times.

It’s going to be interesting to see how they come this weekend.

[CHARLTON34]

Yes, 40%Gerry + 40% superstar + 20% energy +

Sorry for the confusion Pete, I can't get in on my "Mike Lycett" account despite resetting the password, so I've defaulted back to my old account.

The Gerry / Superstar / Energy feed I have no issues with. I won RPRA Awards and Region Sprint titles flying on that mix

What did raise my eyebrows was the volumes involved.

You're saying that you fed 1 ounce on both Weds and Thursday? Is that right?


See, you know I help little Jack and Phil a little. On Saturday they had 7 of the top 14 in the Fed between them.

Their birds, on Weds and Thursday consumed a tickle over 3 ounces each. That's a 50% increase on what yours were carrying

"Food for thought" ?

Mike do you know if both Jack & Phil would of fed by hand or measured out the larger amount of feed on Wednesday & Thursday.

[Buster121]

Yes, 40%Gerry + 40% superstar + 20% energy +

Sorry for the confusion Pete, I can't get in on my "Mike Lycett" account despite resetting the password, so I've defaulted back to my old account.

The Gerry / Superstar / Energy feed I have no issues with. I won RPRA Awards and Region Sprint titles flying on that mix

What did raise my eyebrows was the volumes involved.

You're saying that you fed 1 ounce on both Weds and Thursday? Is that right?


See, you know I help little Jack and Phil a little. On Saturday they had 7 of the top 14 in the Fed between them.

Their birds, on Weds and Thursday consumed a tickle over 3 ounces each. That's a 50% increase on what yours were carrying

"Food for thought" ?

Mike will have a look at your other account later when I get a chance as just off to the dentist

[PeteDerby]

Sounds like your getting on top of it now Pete
Well done to you

We’ll see, Neil. I’ll let you know