Had my first race in the Glastonbury club today. I sent 15 birds. The club had 11 members send 312 birds.
The combine liberated at 11.15am in a NNW from Stoney Cross. 34 miles to me. I thought around 12 o’clock would be quite good. I had one arrive at just after 12. He flew around a few times before landing in the tree behind the loft. He then took off and done another couple of circles before landing on the house and coming down onto the drop board. He was then strutting around. So obviously it hadn’t taken much out of him. He was finally clocked at 12.05.22. He is a yearling Blue Pied cock 55 from Buster. Having his first ever race. I then had to go back into the shop. When checking a bit later I had another 2 back. Both timed close together so I don’t know whether they came together or just trapped together, one bringing the other down. The second bird on the clock at 12.19.35 was the 2 year old grizzle cock 78 from Trev. This pigeon was first bird from Wakefield and Hexham last year. Third bird timed at 12.19.54 was a yearling hen 18. Another having her first race. This one is out of a stray hen that hit my loft with 2 broken legs and a gash down one side 2 years ago and a cock of my own bred from a cock from Dev and a hen from Pete. On checking at 14.00 I found I had a fourth at 13.28.05. This one was the other one of Busters that I sent. Blue Chequer cock 54. I also found a 2 year old red grizzle cock in the loft that had somehow missed the pads. Sixth bird at 14.19.39 was a pencil blue yearling cock 47 bred by Trev. Seventh at 16.15.07 was a late bred blue hen bred from a pair from Potter. This was her first time in a basket. The eighth was a blue yearling cock 28 who’s out of Pete’s muzzabella. I found him in the loft at 17.00 having also missed the pads.
So I ended up getting 8 of the 15 back. I’m missing a 2 year old that flew Guernsey last year and 6 yearlings. Down the club everyone was a few missing. 4 members had bird’s return hawked.
I ended up 17th club, 6th member timed out of 11 and just 5 minutes behind the winner. I would just like to see a few more tomorrow but otherwise not a bad start.
Well done to Buster and Trev for breeding 4 of the returning ones today.
First race in new club.
I’m certainly not interested in winning races at 35 miles when my aims are 500+.
“Overfed” quite possibly as they are feeding youngsters at present so have food available all the time.
“Undertossed” definitely if wanting to win these short sprint races but for me these races are my trainers.
For all but 3 of the 15 it was their first ever race, and one that has been raced is one that’s missing. Some of the missing ones would probably have been lost before if raced at all. They combine was probably 2,000+ birds most flying more than double my distance and I expect a lot of mine went straight over after flying for just 50 minute’s especially if a bit off line. It also sounds like the convoy was probably hit a few times by hawks with 4 of our members having ones return injured.
We are at the same race point next week and I should have more to send.
Back just enjoying club racing for the time being.
Andy ,main thing is your happy , pigeons must responded to the trainer ,it’s called blue printing ,should start from the day you put there ring on ,remember mate your the boss whether distance or sprinters they must trap , racing in a competive club will bring that out in you ,