UkPigeonRacing

Winfort Lofts wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2026 12:35 pm

Andy wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2026 9:11 am Sounds like there’s been some bad races yesterday with terrible returns in some parts. It’s wet and windy here this morning which actually might help those birds missing in as much as there could be a little water around for them.
It does make me smile though when people moan about the races. We send the birds, we know the obstacles in front of them, no point in worrying about those that don’t return we just have to work with what we have at home.
Some say they won’t send to the first couple of young bird races. But then they are relying on slightly more experienced birds to bring theirs home. Their birds are still green in as much as it’s their first time on a lorry, mixed with other birds and liberated in big numbers. No amount of training can prepare them for that. There are bad reports of big losses from people who have done loads of training. So to me missing the first couple of races hoping for better races is pointless.

I've heard the same about the racing yesterday.

I saw on Facebook that some with trackers on turned back south after about 20miles before turning north again after 10mile or so!

As it stands currently I'm missing all of mine, after they been coming well for the last few weeks!

Once they in the race baskets it's a completely different game!

Andy wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2026 4:25 pm

Winfort Lofts wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2026 12:35 pm

Andy wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2026 9:11 am Sounds like there’s been some bad races yesterday with terrible returns in some parts. It’s wet and windy here this morning which actually might help those birds missing in as much as there could be a little water around for them.
It does make me smile though when people moan about the races. We send the birds, we know the obstacles in front of them, no point in worrying about those that don’t return we just have to work with what we have at home.
Some say they won’t send to the first couple of young bird races. But then they are relying on slightly more experienced birds to bring theirs home. Their birds are still green in as much as it’s their first time on a lorry, mixed with other birds and liberated in big numbers. No amount of training can prepare them for that. There are bad reports of big losses from people who have done loads of training. So to me missing the first couple of races hoping for better races is pointless.

I've heard the same about the racing yesterday.

I saw on Facebook that some with trackers on turned back south after about 20miles before turning north again after 10mile or so!

As it stands currently I'm missing all of mine, after they been coming well for the last few weeks!

Once they in the race baskets it's a completely different game!

I know we can’t blame everything on BOPS but I had 2 late breds back first thing this morning from yesterday’s race. One was ripped to pieces. Hole in neck and under both wings and around tail. He will be ok but he was one of the lucky ones.

Winfort Lofts wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2026 12:35 pm

Andy wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2026 9:11 am Sounds like there’s been some bad races yesterday with terrible returns in some parts. It’s wet and windy here this morning which actually might help those birds missing in as much as there could be a little water around for them.
It does make me smile though when people moan about the races. We send the birds, we know the obstacles in front of them, no point in worrying about those that don’t return we just have to work with what we have at home.
Some say they won’t send to the first couple of young bird races. But then they are relying on slightly more experienced birds to bring theirs home. Their birds are still green in as much as it’s their first time on a lorry, mixed with other birds and liberated in big numbers. No amount of training can prepare them for that. There are bad reports of big losses from people who have done loads of training. So to me missing the first couple of races hoping for better races is pointless.

I've heard the same about the racing yesterday.

I saw on Facebook that some with trackers on turned back south after about 20miles before turning north again after 10mile or so!

As it stands currently I'm missing all of mine, after they been coming well for the last few weeks!

Once they in the race baskets it's a completely different game!

Winfort Lofts wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2026 5:33 pm

Andy wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2026 4:25 pm

Winfort Lofts wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2026 12:35 pm

I've heard the same about the racing yesterday.

I saw on Facebook that some with trackers on turned back south after about 20miles before turning north again after 10mile or so!

As it stands currently I'm missing all of mine, after they been coming well for the last few weeks!

Once they in the race baskets it's a completely different game!

I know we can’t blame everything on BOPS but I had 2 late breds back first thing this morning from yesterday’s race. One was ripped to pieces. Hole in neck and under both wings and around tail. He will be ok but he was one of the lucky ones.

I'm not even sure what I'd prefer to be honest, they come back with holes in, chased to the point of exhaustion or killed outright!

Andy wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2026 4:25 pm

Winfort Lofts wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2026 12:35 pm

Andy wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2026 9:11 am Sounds like there’s been some bad races yesterday with terrible returns in some parts. It’s wet and windy here this morning which actually might help those birds missing in as much as there could be a little water around for them.
It does make me smile though when people moan about the races. We send the birds, we know the obstacles in front of them, no point in worrying about those that don’t return we just have to work with what we have at home.
Some say they won’t send to the first couple of young bird races. But then they are relying on slightly more experienced birds to bring theirs home. Their birds are still green in as much as it’s their first time on a lorry, mixed with other birds and liberated in big numbers. No amount of training can prepare them for that. There are bad reports of big losses from people who have done loads of training. So to me missing the first couple of races hoping for better races is pointless.

I've heard the same about the racing yesterday.

I saw on Facebook that some with trackers on turned back south after about 20miles before turning north again after 10mile or so!

As it stands currently I'm missing all of mine, after they been coming well for the last few weeks!

Once they in the race baskets it's a completely different game!

I know we can’t blame everything on BOPS but I had 2 late breds back first thing this morning from yesterday’s race. One was ripped to pieces. Hole in neck and under both wings and around tail. He will be ok but he was one of the lucky ones.