Birds that have been flown out.

[Diamond Dave]

Can I ask you experienced guys on here what you do with young birds that have been flown out.?
I have a couple that were lost during training early on that made their way home after a couple of weeks and one that was totally flown out which I had to go and collect.
All seem to be recovered now and even got through young bird sickness.
So my question is - would you start them training again with a view to getting them in the last few comeback races or would you leave them until next year.

[Albert]

Can I ask you experienced guys on here what you do with young birds that have been flown out.?
I have a couple that were lost during training early on that made their way home after a couple of weeks and one that was totally flown out which I had to go and collect.
All seem to be recovered now and even got through young bird sickness.
So my question is - would you start them training again with a view to getting them in the last few comeback races or would you leave them until next year.

I would start them training again, except the one you had to go and collect, if it was collected from another loft.

[king]

Dave, you will be pleased to get those pigeons back, and by all means start gently putting them back into training. Little bit at a time.
But here's where I burst your bubble.
Very few pigeons that arrive late or come home in a box ever make race winners, even less are top class. There are tales of strays and late arrivals that then became champions. Just don't pin your hopes on it.
Look after them as you would all your pigeons. But just put a small question mark next to them.

There are many birds that have returned home late, come back in box, pick up as strays that have gone on to become great pigeons, I can think of one that went on to win 1st National. But your right that the % will be very, very small. That said the % of ALL pigeons bred that become great pigeons is equally very small.
My concern with flown out birds, is the degree of 'flown out'. It's how the bird acts that is the decider for me. I've had them where they cannot even stand. And others that have felt like a ball of feathers but moved about normally. For me it's the speed of recovery that give me hope that there would be no long lasting damage. I've had birds recover and look the part but the first time a question was asked the bird failed to return. One product that I would recommend that you give is shown below. I've see birds that I expected not to live the night pull round after given one of these.

[Diamond Dave]

Thank you everyone for your speedy replies.
These days, with so much BOP activity, I dont think I could condemn a bird because it is late, as you never know whats happened to them on the way back.
I will of course keep a watchful eye on these latecomers but will be pleased to take the unanamous advice from all of you and put them back in the training basket.
Having you guys at the other side of the keyboard is like having my own private mentors.
Thanks again everyone.

[Diamond Dave]

Cheers Mil, I have 4 that had been out for 2 -3 weeks.
1 that was lost from an early chuck just under 20 miles -came back with most of its secondaries missing on one wing.
1 that went AWOL from a 45mile chuck before racing. Was totally flown out and was collected from a non fancier.
And 2 that were missing from the first race.
All my Young birds have been stopped for the last 2 races due to YBS but are now fine and ready to go so I was going to resume training for all of them from just under 20 miles at a spot they all know well.
What do you think Mil ....?

[Diamond Dave]

Hi Mil, I've got 4 that were generally lost at different stages but I was expecting to resume training at just under 20 miles to a place where they are all familiar with.
Before any of them went Awol, I had had them up to around 45 miles.
What do you think, is 20 enough?

[Diamond Dave]

Thats great, cheers Mil.