Do I send them back.

[Trev]

Now initially I would have no qualms about sending these birds back again, a two week break should be plenty of time for them to recover, and if these birds are going to be expected to go further in the future they should be able to take two 300 mile outings in their stride. However, of course this does depend on why they were next day last time, which sadly in most instances we will never know, and how they are looking/handling today !! In these instances it's our observations that are absolutely crucial, is that bird acting as he should or is he still not quite looking himself, and how does he feel in the hand !!
From what you've said it sounds to me like you've already answered these two questions, the birds are obviously looking back to form, but those two that haven't put the weight back on are the two you really need to question, if it were me they would be staying at home, the others would go in the basket. As our Dad used to say, "if in doubt, leave it out" sadly I've not always followed this advice in the desperate attempt to get a win and have lost some good pigeons, it's easy to convince yourself that a bird is fit enough, not always so easy to decide they aren't.
With the two that stay behind though, I would be looking at which other races I could get them in as they do need to prove that they deserve a winter perch !!
Let us know how it goes Dave, all the best.

[Diamond Dave]

Both the 2 questionables are driving their hens to a point where they are nearly ready to lay - would that be a reason for not putting the weight they lost in the race back on.

[Diamond Dave]

Both the 2 questionables are driving their hens to a point where they are nearly ready to lay - would that be a reason for not putting the weight they lost in the race back on.

[Murray]

No.

[goose1]

Both the 2 questionables are driving their hens to a point where they are nearly ready to lay - would that be a reason for not putting the weight they lost in the race back on.

Are these cocks that are driving being fed in a communal feeder or individually in their boxes?

[Diamond Dave]

Yes Goose - hopper fed. I can feed them in the boxes if it benefits them - I will be basketing them first thing Thursday so only really have 3 days to work with now........

[goose1]

Yes Goose - hopper fed. I can feed them in the boxes if it benefits them - I will be basketing them first thing Thursday so only really have 3 days to work with now........

Yes well driving will be effecting their weight as they won't eat properly with their attention on the hen. Obviously the reason for the drive is for the cock bird to make sure no other cock mates with his hen. So while on the floor the cock is interested in his hen more than feed. I'd definitely feed cocks in the box while driving. The only time I wouldn't do this would be if I wanted to make sure the hen layed promptly But if the cocks are your main focus feed in box until hen lays.

[Andy]

Both the 2 questionables are driving their hens to a point where they are nearly ready to lay - would that be a reason for not putting the weight they lost in the race back on.

The thing that only you can answer Dave is how “light” do you think they are? Were they a bit overweight on their previous race which could be why they weren’t back until the next day and are now at a better racing weight? By the sounds of it they are certainly fit enough. What I wouldn’t do though is send them to the race if their hens haven’t laid? They are yearlings and spending 2 days in a basket worrying about their hens back home won’t do them any favours.

[Diamond Dave]

Brilliant Goose and Andy, both those posts make absolute sense Thank you.
I don't really know how to tell if they were/are overweight or underweight - is there an easy way that I tell or measure?
I only noticed that these 2 had lost more weight than the others by comparison - perhaps these 2 are a better weight for racing and I should be keeping the others back....

[Murray]

That's the thing, Dave.

You are Johnny on the spot, only you know how the pigeons were before they went away, and how they feel now. As Andy said, the cocks may have been too fat before they went, and the race has stripped the excess off them. In that case, be careful, a 300 mile race can be awfully hard on a pigeon that is underdone. If they are still feeling the effects you may never see them again if you send them.
As goose says you are probably better to feed the cocks in their boxes, especially when driving. Some of them do get anxious and don't eat much on the floor. Others don't seem to care.
In the finish only you can decide what to do. But if you are very happy with most of your pigeons, and undecided about a couple, well, for me, that would kind of settle it. Those two would be staying home.