Do I send them back.

[Andy]

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....

That is something you will learn in time. And of course all birds are individuals. What is right for one might be to light or to heavy for another. It’s a case of getting to know your birds. I know I’m not looking to send mine or racing them over 300 miles but I had a 3 year old cock who came back late afternoon 4 weeks back. I thought on handling him he felt a bit light. Since then he hasn’t really got back to the weight he was before that race. But the last 3 weeks he has been 2nd bird twice and my 1st bird this week. This as distances have been increasing. But I can tell from the way that he is acting around the loft that he is fit. He is a distance pigeon bred down from Barcelona winning birds.

[Diamond Dave]

Thanks everyone, great advice from everyone as ever.
I think I am just too worried about getting them back than winning anything and probably guilty of overfeeding them.
Interesting to hear what Andy said though 'maybe they were overweight in the first place which is why they didn't get home til next day on the previous race' - so it could be me that is holding them back
I'm pretty sure the 2 questionable are not underweight so might be brave and send them anyway so I have something to measure, otherwise I will just continue not knowing.

[Andy]

Unfortunately Dave you will make mistakes, we all still do, and could potentially lose birds that you didn’t want to lose. But if they’re good enough you will get them. No point in worrying about those that don’t return. Concentrate on the ones you have. I have heard of a lot of good pigeons, national and combine winners, that have been lost this year from very good fanciers, probably through no fault of theirs, but all part of the sport I’m afraid.

[Murray]

No truer words have been spoken.

We all make mistakes, the most important thing is being able to admit it. Then you can learn from the mistakes and get better.

Whatever you chose to do this week, Dave, best of luck and I hope you get a good one.

[Diamond Dave]

Well I sent back 5 of the 6 yearling cocks back to St Philbert and got 4 from the 5 (so far)
Didnt break any records but couldnt be there to verify the first one anyway so its position was given as the verification time. Wouldve only been a few places higher anyway.
I didnt send 1 of the 'questionables' in the end and the other one was there first thing this morning. So I am very happy with the decision that you all helped me make and will stop them now.
Ive only got 2 out of my 3 Pau candidates now as one has broken about an inch off his 3rd biggest flight feather - no idea how but probably best he dont go anymore either and certainly not to 600 plus miles.
Thanks again you lovely ppl.

[Buster121]

Well I sent back 5 of the 6 yearling cocks back to St Philbert and got 4 from the 5 (so far)
Didnt break any records but couldnt be there to verify the first one anyway so its position was given as the verification time. Wouldve only been a few places higher anyway.
I didnt send 1 of the 'questionables' in the end and the other one was there first thing this morning. So I am very happy with the decision that you all helped me make and will stop them now.
Ive only got 2 out of my 3 Pau candidates now as one has broken about an inch off his 3rd biggest flight feather - no idea how but probably best he dont go anymore either and certainly not to 600 plus miles.
Thanks again you lovely ppl.

Well done Dave, good to see all back

[Murray]

Well I sent back 5 of the 6 yearling cocks back to St Philbert and got 4 from the 5 (so far)
Didnt break any records but couldnt be there to verify the first one anyway so its position was given as the verification time. Wouldve only been a few places higher anyway.
I didnt send 1 of the 'questionables' in the end and the other one was there first thing this morning. So I am very happy with the decision that you all helped me make and will stop them now.
Ive only got 2 out of my 3 Pau candidates now as one has broken about an inch off his 3rd biggest flight feather - no idea how but probably best he dont go anymore either and certainly not to 600 plus miles.
Thanks again you lovely ppl.

That is a great result, Dave.
And as much as you are thanking us for our input, I enjoy being able to think out loud about what I might do or not do.

[Andy]

Well done Dave. It sounds in general that it was a hard race.

[Devo1956]

Great to hear Dave, well done.

[George and Morgan]

well done