UkPigeonRacing

PeteDerby wrote: Sun Jan 18, 2026 11:12 pm

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?

king wrote: Mon Jan 19, 2026 1:53 am

PeteDerby wrote: Sun Jan 18, 2026 11:12 pm

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.

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

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.

NeilA wrote: Mon Jan 19, 2026 2:44 pm

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 3:48 pm

NeilA wrote: Mon Jan 19, 2026 2:44 pm

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.