A Harsh Lesson at Bath: My Season Opener Disaster

[Winfort Lofts]

How you getting on now Winfort

A bit of a mixed bag tbh the last couple of weeks!

I had the week out, treated for respiratory, and canker, I also spent time sorting out the loft, took up the deep litter that had been down over winter, all dry inside but obviously dusty!

The first week back I was about 45 mins off the winner, who was on the top half the fed sheet! Obviously I'm still way behind, but much better than the first week!

The following weeks race I'm back to miles off again well over two hours behind.

Can I ask what you used to treat did you get some stronger stiff or keep to the hyoerdrug product

It does seem that you might really be better to concentrate on ybs and just enjoy seeing the old birds come home without thinking you can turn it around
If there 2 hours behind I’m not sure if any health changes or feeding changes will make much difference to them
Feed can get a few mins or a better amount close together but not that kind of time

How are your ybs have you got them flying and in a routine so you don’t have this issue next year

It's the inconsistency that's confusing for me! I just can't get my head round it! It was the hyperdrug stuff yes.

As for the young birds, they are going out fairly regularly, and are in the stages of getting up in the air! Routine is not quite there yet, I'm sure I've sent you my work schedule previously, so you know what I'm up against on that side of things!

[Winfort Lofts]

My hens go out 6am or 4pm it changes most days
Cocks always close to 5
Hens it depends if works London or local
Routine is nice but not possible then you have to adapt
But if you feed your ybs once a day they will adapt just give them a pick pot of mix to 10 then all the barkey they want for 15 min
When there really going well pick pot to 8 then the barley

Thanks

That's not a bad shout to be honest.

Do you normally feed after the exercise I would assume?

[The Maltster]

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Photo for you Pete

[The Maltster]

Burton & South Derbyshire Fed Neil

[The Maltster]

Phil and young Jack are right next to Etwall.

[The Maltster]

I always like a dead South for our boys at Stretton.
You can see how the East wind favours the Rugeley lofts, but on the other side of the coin, it shows how good they are when they constantly figure in other winds. It's only a fresh dead west when I'd say the South Derbyshire lofts around Swadlincote start favourites. But, it doesn't matter where you are if you ain't got the skills and the birds.
As Mike would have told you, the Lycetts topped our fed in every wind, including west, and that was when all clubs had bigger memberships.
Nezzy is always the loft to beat in our fed, like my old Dad always said, give me first drop any day of the week. That's for certain, first droppers take some beating, especially when they are good fanciers with good birds
By the way, last week in Pete's club (Holbrook) John Dowd was 2-3-4, and he lives at Heanor, top right on the map, and that was in an Easterly wind, great effort that.

[Anthony webster]

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Photo for you Pete

Is there any valleys the birds run though pal because if there's valleys no matter what the wind the club in the valley or nearest to em coming out of it will dominate in any wind ,,

[Anthony webster]

Yep they either run lee valley or m11 in two London,
Kent they run the medway valley on west winds up the m20 other lads need east or s east so they run other side up the a2 in two Kent, the winners are decided on wind each week.

[Anthony webster]

Well done young Jack

[Winfort Lofts]

If you've only got 3 OB (and I'm guessing that maybe they aren't "proven racers") then I'd take what is, to me, a sensible decision and put my time, effort and energies into this year's YB and try to get a team established to carry you forward on a firmer footing for next time

Winfort - It was April 21st when I suggested you'd be better of concentrating on the YB and knocking the OB racing on the head.

Reading between the lines your YB aren't filling me with confidence.

Yes birds thrive on routine, but routine isn't the be all and end all. What does matter is DISCIPLINE.

An ill-disciplined team of pigeons will win f"ck all I don't care who you are.

They've gotta be like schoolkids that know right from wrong and what's expected.



I'd consider a partner Matt. I know you work awkward hours and its not helping you. Is there someone that could help you when you aren't around? Or possibly you put your energies into another loft when you do have time to offer?

You did Mike that's correct, however I do find it difficult to accept that it was a lost cause and walk away without knowing I had at least tried to change things up!

The missus is about alot more with her new job so she'll be able to help out a lot more going forward!

I think helping out with another loft would be even more difficult than doing it on my own in reality!

How you getting on now Winfort

A bit of a mixed bag tbh the last couple of weeks!

I had the week out, treated for respiratory, and canker, I also spent time sorting out the loft, took up the deep litter that had been down over winter, all dry inside but obviously dusty!

The first week back I was about 45 mins off the winner, who was on the top half the fed sheet! Obviously I'm still way behind, but much better than the first week!

The following weeks race I'm back to miles off again well over two hours behind.

Any joy Winfort or have you knocked old birds on the head

I have shifted focus to the young birds following the racing this weekend!

I have been told that alot of people had bad races yesterday, but it makes sense to shift focus.