UkPigeonRacing

Hi all,

just looking for a bit of advice, do you still loft fly your birds at this time of year or have you stopped now ?

If you have stopped loft flying how long is this for, when do you start letting the birds out again ?

What's the reason behind you stopping the birds loft flying ?

Tony, its all about weather permitting. With the high winds we have been having, its much best not to. Play it safe Tony, you have look after what you have. If you want to race them as yearlings. Stick to your own plans mate.

Devo1956 wrote: Wed Oct 28, 2026 3:17 pm Tony, its all about weather permitting. With the high winds we have been having, its much best not to. Play it safe Tony, you have look after what you have. If you want to race them as yearlings. Stick to your own plans mate.

Thanks Devo for the advice mate much appreciated

NO. Birds are in now till end of Feb.
I can't for the life of me understand why fanciers would loft fly for NO gain what so ever. I'm sure somebody will post that there is an advantage?
EVERYTIME you let them out now you run the risk of losing birds to BOP. Some fanciers say the birds become 'street wise' to BOP, but still admit to losing birds. Wild birds are born 'street wise' and they are taken everyday. So it's up to the individual fancier, but don't come on here moaning if you lose birds in the closed season to BOP.

king wrote: Wed Oct 28, 2026 3:47 pm NO. Birds are in now till end of Feb.
I can't for the life of me understand why fanciers would loft fly for NO gain what so ever. I'm sure somebody will post that there is an advantage?
EVERYTIME you let them out now you run the risk of losing birds to BOP. Some fanciers say the birds become 'street wise' to BOP, but still admit to losing birds. Wild birds are born 'street wise' and they are taken everyday. So it's up to the individual fancier, but don't come on here moaning if you lose birds in the closed season to BOP.

Yes King i will agree, but the likes of Tony, if he wants to race his youngsters as yearlings. He needs to pick the good days for training, So release and trap, getting them in to a routine.

king wrote: Wed Oct 28, 2026 3:47 pm NO. Birds are in now till end of Feb.
I can't for the life of me understand why fanciers would loft fly for NO gain what so ever. I'm sure somebody will post that there is an advantage?
EVERYTIME you let them out now you run the risk of losing birds to BOP. Some fanciers say the birds become 'street wise' to BOP, but still admit to losing birds. Wild birds are born 'street wise' and they are taken everyday. So it's up to the individual fancier, but don't come on here moaning if you lose birds in the closed season to BOP.

No moaning from me King I only asking the question just to see what people do.
If it's better to keep the birds in then they will stay in but thanks for the advice

Devo1956 wrote: Wed Oct 28, 2026 3:55 pm

king wrote: Wed Oct 28, 2026 3:47 pm NO. Birds are in now till end of Feb.
I can't for the life of me understand why fanciers would loft fly for NO gain what so ever. I'm sure somebody will post that there is an advantage?
EVERYTIME you let them out now you run the risk of losing birds to BOP. Some fanciers say the birds become 'street wise' to BOP, but still admit to losing birds. Wild birds are born 'street wise' and they are taken everyday. So it's up to the individual fancier, but don't come on here moaning if you lose birds in the closed season to BOP.

Yes King i will agree, but the likes of Tony, if he wants to race his youngsters as yearlings. He needs to pick the good days for training, So release and trap, getting them in to a routine.

see Devo another good tip each down to their own ways I know good to hear different opinions mate thanks again

Tony-P- wrote: Wed Oct 28, 2026 4:04 pm

king wrote: Wed Oct 28, 2026 3:47 pm NO. Birds are in now till end of Feb.
I can't for the life of me understand why fanciers would loft fly for NO gain what so ever. I'm sure somebody will post that there is an advantage?
EVERYTIME you let them out now you run the risk of losing birds to BOP. Some fanciers say the birds become 'street wise' to BOP, but still admit to losing birds. Wild birds are born 'street wise' and they are taken everyday. So it's up to the individual fancier, but don't come on here moaning if you lose birds in the closed season to BOP.

No moaning from me King I only asking the question just to see what people do.
If it's better to keep the birds in then they will stay in but thanks for the advice

Yes Tony your not in the position to 'lock up' for the Winter. It's Hobson's Choice for you. Best of luck.

I still let mine out Tony and don't usually worry too much about the weather but only once a day.
I have to disagree with King but he is far more experienced than me.
I don't think it is a matter of being "streetwise" as he says but more of a matter of being that bit fitter so if they do get targeted by bop they have more of a chance to escape.
That's just my humble view on it mate - whichever option you choose - it won't be wrong.

Diamond Dave wrote: Wed Oct 28, 2026 4:41 pm I still let mine out Tony and don't usually worry too much about the weather but only once a day.
I have to disagree with King but he is far more experienced than me.
I don't think it is a matter of being "streetwise" as he says but more of a matter of being that bit fitter so if they do get targeted by bop they have more of a chance to escape.
That's just my humble view on it mate - whichever option you choose - it won't be wrong.

Fanciers should do what they think is best Dave. I used to fly mine out over winter many years ago. If fact I can remember getting a stray in xmas day 1976 which led to a very good friendship (but that's another story) But in these time of BOP many fanciers aren't learning and adapting to the problem. I've a Peregrine nesting less than 2 mile from, me along with at least 3 pairs of Sparrowhawks within a mile. By keeping my birds in, and pairing much later I've reduced the chances of an attack to ZERO for at least 42% of the year.
And as for being fitter, it's surprising how many fanciers lose their best birds to BOP. I recall Neil on here saying he lost a 1st Fed winner on one of his last posts ALL pigeons when targeted, have a 50% chance of escape, they are either lucky or a meal. Fitness really has little to do with it. Adult peregrine falcons successfully kill pigeons in about 40% of attacks.