Pigeon Talk

[backyard pigeons]

I did something stupid... I did a four mile toss last evening, 45 minutes before sun set. They have gone 10 miles and made it back in 20 minutes. This was nothing. But... They didn't like how close to dark it was I guess. and I'm still awaiting their return today.

I added two birds to the group, two tosses ago. They had loft flown bunches, but never had done tosses. so with the other 6, I tosses them 2 miles. And for some reason, they would not join with the group. The only reason I did two miles was that they'd would just follow the group. I was wrong... They would not join the main group. So they didn't come that night, or the following four, but luckily I got one back Sunday. The other hasn't shown up. But four nights without shelter?! That's impressive for a pigeon to live through!

Anyways, thanks for listening. hopefully I get the 6 back, or at least a few, and some eggs maybe!

 

[WVduckchick]

I did something stupid... I did a four mile toss last evening, 45 minutes before sun set. They have gone 10 miles and made it back in 20 minutes. This was nothing. But... They didn't like how close to dark it was I guess. and I'm still awaiting their return today.

I added two birds to the group, two tosses ago. They had loft flown bunches, but never had done tosses. so with the other 6, I tosses them 2 miles. And for some reason, they would not join with the group. The only reason I did two miles was that they'd would just follow the group. I was wrong... They would not join the main group. So they didn't come that night, or the following four, but luckily I got one back Sunday. The other hasn't shown up. But four nights without shelter?! That's impressive for a pigeon to live through!

Anyways, thanks for listening. hopefully I get the 6 back, or at least a few, and some eggs maybe!

Ugh. I'm still not brave enough to let mine out in the open. Maybe this coming weekend though.

How are the sick ones doing now?

 

[cavemanrich]

But four nights without shelter?! That's impressive for a pigeon to live through!

Not really,,,, and since its still warm,,,, consider the pigeons taking a summer camping vacation.
BTW,,, I don't agree with your thinking that you did something stupid yesterday. Look at it as a way to determine which pigeons have the best HOMING SKILLS,,,,,,,,,,,, AND CHOOSE THOSE IN YOUR CHOICES FOR BREEDING. I know you mentioned getting into some racing in the future. If you want any success in that,, you will need only those with the BEST HOMING SKILLS, in that group.
Once you are in the club, and racing,,,,,, you would then refine your breeding, to breed the fastest/strongest from your group that have
GREAT homing abilities.

 

[backyard pigeons]

Update: 4\6 back!

Ugh. I'm still not brave enough to let mine out in the open. Maybe this coming weekend though.

How are the sick ones doing now?

pics please if they do free fly!

The sick one are doing better! I lost one more... I got some medicine (I'll post a pic soon) suggested by a local fancier who is very kind to share tips, specifically about a med for worms. It's an injectable for cows and swine!? But it appears to be working, and their droppings are looking better. He said to put one CC per Quart of water. And they drink it. so I think it is worms. I need to pull it today, as this is day 2. I will share more about it in a day, when I confirm it's safe, and it treated the illness.

Not really,,,, and since its still warm,,,, consider the pigeons taking a summer camping vacation.
BTW,,, I don't agree with your thinking that you did something stupid yesterday. Look at it as a way to determine which pigeons have the best HOMING SKILLS,,,,,,,,,,,, AND CHOOSE THOSE IN YOUR CHOICES FOR BREEDING. I know you mentioned getting into some racing in the future. If you want any success in that,, you will need only those with the BEST HOMING SKILLS, in that group.
Once you are in the club, and racing,,,,,, you would then refine your breeding, to breed the fastest/strongest from your group that have
GREAT homing abilities.

I guess your right. about shelter though, I was meaning from owls... Owls are so thick here! I have lost two birds their first night out (if they don't come in, and roost in line trees) by owls. I find feathers everywhere, with blood.

Edit: thanks for not thinking I'm stupid!

 

[Pyxis]

I lost my kite frillback cock last night I just found him randomly dead on the floor of the loft. Time to give the other three some All-in-One just in case.

 

[backyard pigeons]

I lost my kite frillback cock last night I just found him randomly dead on the floor of the loft. Time to give the other three some All-in-One just in case.

Oh no! I'm so sorry! That is odd.

 

[Qwerty3159]

I lost my kite frillback cock last night I just found him randomly dead on the floor of the loft. Time to give the other three some All-in-One just in case.

Sorry to hear about that. Hoping for the best for the rest of your group.

I guess your right. about shelter though, I was meaning from owls... Owls are so thick here! I have lost two birds their first night out (if they don't come in, and roost in line trees) by owls. I find feathers everywhere, with blood.

Glad to hear you got some back! As Meat Loaf said, two out of three ain't bad.
I haven't had an owl loss as far as I know, though I suppose it could've happened to any of the birds I've had go missing. If there's one good thing about owls its that they compete with the hawks and great horned owls specifically don't tolerate hawks nesting in the same areas. GHO and RTH fight pretty frequently and the GHO usually wins, especially at night. There's a video circulating around somewhere of a great horned eating a red tailed hawk it killed in broad daylight.

 

[Qwerty3159]

Pretty cool read. The last pair mine raised both had the white spot but it's a lot bigger and more obvious on this black spread.
I wonder if I should try breeding for it and seeing how they do.

 

[memphis]

Interesting study....

 

[backyard pigeons]

View attachment 1923801 View attachment 1923802 View attachment 1923803
Pretty cool read. The last pair mine raised both had the white spot but it's a lot bigger and more obvious on this black spread.
I wonder if I should try breeding for it and seeing how they do.View attachment 1923807 View attachment 1923807

Interesting. are they meaning like, around the vent? Or just above the tail like you have? Because, around the vent is always white, except in a few colors that are specifically bred to not have that. I don't want to sound skeptical, I just am not so sure.

What about white tail feathers? Or white flights? I wonder if those have any impact on a hawks performance?

I have been wondering... If someone had a well balanced grizzle, with black and white only, would that throw off a hawk? I'm thinking like zebras. They can throw off lions occasionally due to their contrasting colors. One like this: https://www.reddit.com/r/pigeon/comments/9st1z1/tiger_grizzle_hen250_mike_race_winner/ thoughts?