Well fellows, does the crossing of the channels / sea waters, have any effect on the bird regarding it's feathering?

By Mreyesign on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 03:14 pm: Edit

To Roly. When I lived in Melbourne Australia. We used to hold a young bird darby from Tasmania over the Bass strait. 260 miles of the roughest water way's on earth. The birds had little or no problems finding their way back to Australia from there but when it came to reversing the race t returnt Tasmania there were major problems. For many years only one family of birds were capable of doing this on a regular basis and that was the Blandens.I watched them come from both directions but never noticed any effect on the feathering. But I have seen them with salt on the brest and beaks.

By Billytaylor on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 03:18 pm: Edit

Roly thats what I would like to know also. I want you to show me the type of bird that can race cross channel. A feeding program and motivation program designed to allow them to do it. Besides some good company and lots of lies over a few pints. My objective is to pick your brains (if any) on how to fly the distance races better. I think you are a super chap. Looking forward to a visit to the Marsh. Lets race. Bye Billy

By Mikev on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 05:31 pm: Edit

Hi Billy T. Better get Roly to take you on a tour of Ireland. In my opinion, they fly one of the toughest courses on the planet. All that open sea at the tail end of a 500, 600 or even 700 mile race.

By Mreyesign on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 07:16 pm: Edit

MY thoughts also Mike and alway's have been. They gotta be the best long distance birds in the world. Ask Scotty about the Kirkpatrick. I wonder how the house is coming along.

By Roly on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 09:42 pm: Edit

All good valid points. Mickey you have echo me when I post that a 400 miler into Ireland is a 600 miler elsewhere. Yes the Kirks are still some strain. The grizzle of the Kirks were bred into his family from Aurther Hill of Cornwall.
Many true OLD british lines are still dominating from all distances..... as I posted.
Now when a bird flies over water low - a cross or in to a head wind, it's racing for the rest of that season has to be very carefully looked at.
The amount of time must be taken into consideration, and oils, Linseeds etc. needed to replenish the lost oils from it's feathering.
I know that to - day we can replenish a lot quicker.
Salt is a great sauce to dry out and obsorb OIL.
In the bath water!! I use to, now wouldn't entertain it. Great for an anti septic and I will put direct on a wound... but then it will be some time before it flies won't it!
The 'Chippies and such use Salt on their floors, clean out and soak oil in any and all containers.
It also makes the feathers a little brittle, not good for a hard or distance fly.
They need their feathers / plume / powder, that silky glossy feathering to combat Rain, to streamline flight, aerodymatics,, ANd on cold windy,drizzly days for , not only for the wet to slip of, but for warmth when cutting into the winds etc.
A 100 - 200 miler with wind up the arse and a sun on their back matters little to any.... Widowerhood days.... but for the ONES that matter they may well need all the oil in their feathering they can get.
And Salt makes them look even tighter feathered and more sheen..........!
Hhence Bob the seconded race may have ben because f the salt making it just a step too far.

By Billytaylor on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 10:06 pm: Edit

Roly my mucker, you may convince me but I doubt it. we will see. Lets race. Bye Billy

By Roly on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 10:10 pm: Edit

Hi Billy and I know you put a little salt in the bath water... but then you have a lot of sunshine and little water to cross.
You must have some hardish races if your fly the compass though, and the distance races are not so well fought over I believe. Many here still put Bloom Salts, or a little rock salt. But not the distance boys I think.