I got a pigeon home today that I lost in a 200 miles YB race 10 months ago. He seems to have been living in a state of semi captivity for he has the barny look to him, fit, yet lacking muscle mass and weight. His feathers are stained and have that look of being bleached in the sun, yet he has no external parisites and is tamer than my own birds. His wing moult stopped last year at about the time he was lost. Within two minutes of trapping he had claimed an empty nest box and mated to a hen who's mate is MIA from this weekend. Any opinions on what to do with this bird. Cull him at once?

By Marvin on Monday, June 24, 2002 - 06:55 pm: Edit

MikeV, from my experience, I would keep the bird. Almost all the birds that I have had that were lost as YB and returned the next year have gone on to be great flyers. Let him go through a moult and next year he should fly great.

By Mreyesign on Monday, June 24, 2002 - 07:26 pm: Edit

Mike you know only to well what to do with the bird but I certainly wouldn't let it anywhere near the rest.

By Billytaylor on Monday, June 24, 2002 - 07:35 pm: Edit

Mike V check his race results prior to the loss. If he meets your minimum standards keep him. If not cull at once. Why keep a slacker no matter how brave. He will never improve. Lets race. Bye Billy

By David on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 04:54 am: Edit

one of the best birds i ever raced was lost for over a month as a baby. as a yearling and a old bird went on to win many first from 90 miles right up to the 500.just had to wait and knew it would or should happen as he had a super eye and body.lost a yb last year for six weeks was home for five days put him in a 330 open yes he was in the clock..the one big mistake i can live with those ones that make it often are well you know. mike not sure if iam going to have the time to fly ybs this year will know in a couple weeks. but i will be flying old birds hell or high water. so put me down for four birds for your 550 open. see were tony alves can win them young old short long easy and tough ganus will be pleased.

By Roly on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 06:04 am: Edit

Well cull.... and keep the eye!

By Mreyesign on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 10:00 am: Edit

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA GOOD ONE ROLY. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha I needed that today. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

By Bryanb on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 07:23 pm: Edit

Speaking of late arrivals, a youngster just returned that I lost more than a month ago. He seems healthy and he is growing his 9th flight. Should I do anything like treat him for anything, or not? Right now I have him seperate. I couldn't see any external parasites, but I dusted him anyway.

By Mreyesign on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 07:47 pm: Edit

Keep him on his own for a couple of day's and watch the droppings. If they are loose and watery, cull it. If not, treat for cocci canker and respiratory and keep your fingers crossed.

The bird has already learned the bad habit, so don't be disappointed if it repeats the same thing.

By Billytaylor on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 08:51 pm: Edit

Well for once the Eye and I agree. Give the dud a clean up of aeromycin, c/c/w. Then race him. If he is in the clock he may be a keeper. If he is lost or late, save the corn. Lets race. Bye Billy

By Mreyesign on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 09:22 pm: Edit

To Billly Taylor. Will you shut up. You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.

By Billytaylor on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 09:57 pm: Edit

Not to worry, eye, we agree more than we disagree. Boggles. Lets race. Bye Billy

By Mreyesign on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 11:26 pm: Edit

What's this eye shit. You can call me Bob.

By Sunset on Monday, August 05, 2002 - 09:03 am: Edit

After the race on Saturday I was missing one bird. This morning, Monday, I’m sitting in my front porch office and hear something land on the Air conditioner. I went out to see what it was and there was the missing bird. I picked it up and put it in a basket with food and water.

My loft is in the rear of the house and the porch in the front. I am amazed that the bird knew enough to come to the front of the house to get my attention. I have no idea how it knew to do that. I don’t believe it ever saw me here. Could it be that he flew around the house looking in the windows for me?

By Mealy on Monday, August 05, 2002 - 10:35 am: Edit

it could be it is from the same planet as you!!!!
Hope you have sense of humour, otherwise im in trouble

By Billytaylor on Monday, August 05, 2002 - 01:21 pm: Edit

sunbeam with the small s, I see you have cowered the eskimos that are stumbling all over you in order to kiss your bottom. Looks like most are afraid of your Frog Law on your site threatening to sue anyone who deforms your character. Not so here. I think I have to agree with some who know you that told me you were a know it all, condensending, pompous AH. Merci. Lets race. Bye BillyT. This proven warrior is fearless, runner.

By Sunset on Monday, August 05, 2002 - 01:43 pm: Edit

Mealy I do have a sense of humor and tks for the smile.

The other post is hardly worthy of a reply. Just more of the same lies. But also just another old fart with to much time on his hands. In that sence we may have something in common.

By Tommakowecki on Monday, August 05, 2002 - 01:45 pm: Edit

Sounds like you described yourself, BillyT. I think you mispelled your second last word. It should read foolish! Now I can't wait to read your intelligent rebuttle......stick to racing, because your communication skills stink!

By Billytaylor on Monday, August 05, 2002 - 01:50 pm: Edit

TomMak, since when did the spell checker on your computer get in the way of your beard? Now we have another literary icon. Boggles sheep dip. Lets race. Bye BillyT

By Billytaylor on Monday, August 05, 2002 - 02:27 pm: Edit

Yes CCC, I do want BobF to get to say his say at the seminar. If you had any guts you would too. But if you cant get past your hatred, a good thing Jim the Magnificant has banned you. Of course you are using subtrafuge to post, so who is the fraud, Frog? Same to your heros from French Quebec and the sheep farm. Lets race. Bye BillyT

By Davebooth on Monday, August 05, 2002 - 06:24 pm: Edit

Hi All,A pigeon flyer in this area is having a time with some of his young birds,he lets them out early in the morning and some fly 5 minutes and the others go rambling for 6-9 hours and when they return they are completly exhausted and have lost quite a bit of weight.He wonders if anyone on here has an explanation of why this may happen(they have done this more than two times).Its possible that they got caught up with some out of area birds training as he said he had a bird come back with them from an area about 70 miles away from him,but maybe that bird was lost and just hooked in with them while they were out flying.If anyone can help him or suggest a possible answer to this it would help put his mind at ease,and maybe help him to rectify this problem .Anyone up in this area could call and talk to him(705-436-6920)his name is Bill Sheridan I am sure he would appreciate it.(Barrie Ontario Area) Canada.

By Billytaylor on Monday, August 05, 2002 - 06:48 pm: Edit

Dave Booth, never had that experience. Cant help and I thought I had experienced every mistake possible with YBs. Me I would consider those 6-9 hr on the wing YBs gold. I would feed straight barley for a week or two. I think he will be a force in the Barre Club. Better get yours lost same amount of time, although you are putting the hurts on Rodgers to date. Lets race. Bye BillyT

By Davebooth on Monday, August 05, 2002 - 06:56 pm: Edit

Hi Billy,This person is in a differant club than me and has been flying for at least 20 years.I am happy the way mine are doing at the moment ,so I will try to maintain it without adding any problems for them at this time.Take care pal and thanks for the phone call.

By Oscar on Monday, August 05, 2002 - 08:21 pm: Edit

Hi Dave , I had similar thing happen a few years ago , found the best way to stop it was to feed them light , hold them in a couple of days and then only toss them for a week or so and that should fix it .

By Billytaylor on Tuesday, August 06, 2002 - 08:14 pm: Edit

Oscar no wonder you are a champ. You got good common sense and stock sense. Now Our Bud Bob of the Fernando Valley has disparaged your race results. Duh. Remember he dont race just holds on to the apron strings of his aged Calabrese. In their time they were champs, but now with altheimers they have to have the nurse tell them it is race day so they dont forget to put birds in the race. Dont be too hard on these losers, they are living on memories. Put the hurts on the pretenders and take care of our newbee Tic, just tell him not to attack until he has the bonifides. If he listens instead of attacking he will be a winner. Lets race, hard head. Bye BillyT