A Harsh Lesson at Bath: My Season Opener Disaster

[CHARLTON34]

And there lies the problem in a nut shell, I think this is the main problem, I've been guilty of this in the past when your struggling & it turns into a number's game breeding off poor pigeons.
Anthony your totally right in your post .

[Winfort Lofts]

Evening all,

Well, the first old bird race of the season is in the books, and let’s just say it was a massive reality check for me. We had our first go with the new Studley Road Flying Club (Tamworth Fed) from Bath on Saturday, and while the club setup is looking top-notch, my own performance was anything but.
The Reality Check
The birds were up at 08:45, and with the winners doing over 1700 ypm, it was a fast, clean race for those who were ready. I sat there watching batches of 50+ birds screaming over the garden at 09:50, but nothing broke.

The silence that followed was deafening.

First Bird: 14:34 (nearly 6 hours after liberation)
Second Bird: 17:48
Third Bird: 18:51
Returns: 3 home, 2 still missing.

Where I Went Wrong
Standing in an empty garden for hours gives you plenty of time to be honest with yourself. I went into this season on "hope" rather than preparation. I’d only given them four training tosses and some decent loft flying, thinking that would be enough to get them through a short blow from Bath.
I was wrong. This game has a way of humbling you the second you cut corners.

The Plan Forward
The only positive is that the birds that did make it back haven't "folded"—they still look lively and healthy, they just lacked the sharpness to compete. The lessons are clear:
* They need more road.
* They need a proper routine.
* I need to stop being lazy with the training basket.

We aren't easing into the season anymore; we’re right in the thick of it. I’ve got a lot of work to do this week to make sure I’m not just waiting for "perch fillers" next Saturday.

Hope the rest of you had a better start than I did!
Cheers.

Ps: if you want to read my full write up, it's on my website

What’s your plans for this week
Have you seen them going well at home or still a bit awkward with work

Still don't seem to want to fly much at home, after about 15mins or so of good fast flying they are down waiting to go in.

They have been out twice today, once on Monday and Tuesday due to work, but managed to get a 10 mile toss both Tuesday and Today, with them being singled up 5 minutes apart.

Can I ask massive question
These 5 birds have they ever been with in 2 mins of winners in there life ?
Are your baby's bred of these birds ?

You are more than welcome to ask the questions,

3 of them was broken from another fancier who left the sport.

The other two were mine that I bred from Louella purchased birds.

Under my racing management they have not been close to winning.

But as I say, that is far more likely to being my learning and skill than the birds faults themselves.

[Winfort Lofts]

You have a Lt Easterly wind to look forward to on Saturday Winfort

If you have pigeons "not wanting to fly much at home" then i fear that you're in for a long day in the garden again on Saturday

I mentioned earlier in the week a proper respo treatment wouldn’t hurt along with a lighter mix while getting the basics tested for
Would that be what you would do Mike or would you go about of different

Broadly speaking I agree

I may be tempted to confine them to the loft too for 5 days whilst on the treatment and the light mix (screw the next race - its a matter of priority following the difficult opener)

Appreciate both of you guys for sharing your thoughts and knowledge.

I had ordered some respiratory treatment Monday evening and am still awaiting that to arrive! I was already thinking to give the weekend a miss seeing as they are not putting the work in at home!

I've also noticed that when the door is open in the loft, there is a good draw of air coming through and pulling the dust and bloom out!

I'm guessing that when the door is shut this isn't happening so much out the rear of the loft, so i am looking to put in some extra vents on the rear wall of the loft to help pull the air through!

As for the feeding, they are currently on Gerry and Barley, having recently transferred from left over breeding mix and 70% barley.

[Winfort Lofts]

Could you go 3 gerry 1 barley for a week mate ? Gerry is a great mix but not a low fat mix
I think Mike has a point lock them up
Cut the grub right down a pick pot to 10 fed once a day there lose weight quicker once a day I am finding

Did you get a decent treatment with Doxy and Tylan in it combined ?

I think your better off getting them going and look for races in 2/3 weeks rather than now then at least you will have them in a routine for the future if you retain them

When you train do they go instantly like before you can count to 10 secs slowly or do they do 3/4 circles

Yeah I can do that, I have been feeding the one pick pot for ten birds also! .

I'm not too sure, it's called Respimax from Hyper drug.

When taken down the road they clear out of sight in about 8-10 seconds when counting, admittedly I've only been checking this last week as I only recently read your comments on this!

[Winfort Lofts]

Respimax is Bromhexine Hydrochloride Neil

You'll also find that in Tollisan's "Bronco Sprint" (which I don't have the highest of regard for really)

Mike is that you way of saying that I have purchased the wrong thing? Or just that it's not your preferred option?

[CHARLTON34]

So for ob & yb maybe put up what routine for med & in what order you adhere to please, is it the same every month? .

[Anthony webster]

Respimax is Bromhexine Hydrochloride Neil

You'll also find that in Tollisan's "Bronco Sprint" (which I don't have the highest of regard for really)

Mike is that you way of saying that I have purchased the wrong thing? Or just that it's not your preferred option?

Watch broomhexime it was a banned substance works combined with a antibiotic like doxycyclin for best results,,
I ain't gonna blow smoke up ya pal ,,thing ya starting all wrong if you want to win races ,if ya happy watching them arrive that's great but if you want to compete them 5 birds n there children need gone out way n see Mike on here for some fast birds don't had fast birds to ya team its like mo ferrar going jogging with me it's pointless

[Anthony webster]

Could be OK now nut wanted to pre warn him pal

[Anthony webster]

So for ob & yb maybe put up what routine for med & in what order you adhere to please, is it the same every month? .

In the racing season Dave I was pretty flexible but there were 1-2 things that HAD to happen
1. Going into a "target" race the birds always had Moxidectin on the Monday night and Tuesday morning
2. If the birds hit rain when racing then I'd always clear their heads on return of the race. That being the case let's say (for arguments sake) that they hit rain 3 weeks on the bounce racing - then yes, I'd feel compelled to give them an Ornithosis treatment each time.

I don't like east winds either Mike for clogging there head up pal

[PeteDerby]

Interesting subject matter and one I’m wrestling with. My lab test results say I’ve got nothing wrong with my birds, yet far better fanciers than me tell me I must have a regular treatment routine. Some folks tell me not to treat pigeons for problems they don’t have. 2 races in I’ve managed a 2nd and a 3rd club in respective weeks and top 20 fed, but the bulk of my birds are 10-20 mins behind.

Now, the majority are middle to long distance birds so no shock there, plus they tell me I need some east in the wind to have much a of shout where I am. What concerns me is they still won’t loft fly more than 10mins without the flag, and I’m almost having to whack them with it to keep them flying.

It’s certainly got me scratching my head wondering whether to keep the routine until the longer races start or change something now.