UK pigeon owners

[biophiliac]

Tonight has been a nerve wracking experience. I loft flew boomer! @biophiliac gave me itchy feet to see what would happen. So I cornered her in the trap let the bobs down and opened the door. And........she stood there looking out. Then flew to the ground walked about a bit flew on the garage roof and stood there looking around. So I went about starting my chores. Then she was gone! Is saw her about 150' up going like a rocket....gone. Now the worry set in. Would she come back? She didn't fly in a big circle round the house like my neighbours, she was gone, like a bullett! Would this be my last picture of her?
View attachment 1429824
So I left it for about an hour could see her but I rattled the feed tin like normal still nothing. Then about half an hour later a little pigeon appeared on my neighbours roof and I could see the red band! Boomer had returned! So I started shaking my feed tin and put some sunflower seeds in the trap and down she came! She sat on the trap looking through the mesh pacing but couldn't figure out how to get in! I ended up putting a piece of the plastic boarding that I used for the poop tray on it with a few seeds and she went down and straight in!!! Near heart attack over! She returns! I have no idea where she went but she didn't stay local. I'll try this a couple more times then I will start going further away! I'm a nervous wreck but I had to know if she would come back. Now I know!

Good on you!

 

[biophiliac]

t to keep your heartbeat under 200 when you let her

x2 lol Try adopting a calm, zen like state of mind.

 

[CCUK]

I'll have to find something to occupy my mind! When I've got them all flying it will be an excellent time to clean the loft!

 

[biophiliac]

nd straight in!!! Near heart attack over! She returns! I have no idea where she went but she didn't stay local.

Beg to differ my friend. Local to you is different than local for her. An hour and a half flight is a nice little exercise for a strong flyer like Boomer. She was probably flying some loops around her new loft.

There is just something so special about giving them the freedom to fly and seeing them return. I want to trust and respect my birds and accept that some will be lost to me. I do feel like they respond back with trust in me.

CCUK - you have got to where I'm at in 1/10th the time!
Glad I inspired you to take the plunge with Boomer .

 

[CCUK]

Beg to differ my friend. Local to you is different than local for her. An hour and a half flight is a nice little exercise for a strong flyer like Boomer. She was probably flying some loops around her new loft.

There is just something so special about giving them the freedom to fly and seeing them return. I want to trust and respect my birds and accept that some will be lost to me. I do feel like they respond back with trust in me.

CCUK - you have got to where I'm at in 1/10th the time!
Glad I inspired you to take the plunge with Boomer .

I think I fell lucky with boomer. She is a good bird. I can't really understand how come she settled so quick with me. I have spoken to her previous owner several times now and he says that she must just like the area! I personally think it's the sunflower seeds! She really likes them! I can't really understand how she got so lost to start with. Could be a hawk attack or could be that she just stayed with the flock. It took 4 days of being with me before I first released her and she came straight back?! The rest we all know. It's been fast moving for me. But you, @cavemanrich, @LamarshFish, @Hokum Coco and boomers previous owner have all helped me so much on this fast moving journey and for that I am so grateful. And I do like this forum!

 

[Hokum Coco]

Widow Effect in pigeon jargon.

Another application of this bird motivator; Pigeon fanciers in preparation for a large race will separate a mated pair for as long as a month prior to a race. Then the day of transport will let the mated pair reunite for maybe 5 minutes before basketing the partner off to participate in the event.

 

[CCUK]

Another application of this bird motivator; Pigeon fanciers in preparation for a large race will separate a mated pair for as long as a month prior to a race. Then the day of transport will let the mated pair reunite for maybe 5 minutes before basketing the partner off to participate in the event.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. It all makes sense. Basically you use there instincts like food or the pairing up and put them in a position that works to your advantage. Which is to return.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I can't really understand how come she settled so quick with me.

Young birds or birds that have never mated and raised young tend to settle in more quickly. I have a Belgium blood line in my homers and I assure you none of my adult birds would settle in in such a short time.

A month ago+- I did a single dove release at a grave side the weather broke into a thunder storm long story short the bird went missing. I am not sure exactly how many weeks later I did a head count. I was back up to 38 birds. On further investigation my missing bird had returned but had been robbed of all it's pigeon bands. I know definitely the bands could only be removed by a human. He must have taken up shelter in some type of enclosure to weather the storm and was caught by someone who knew how to handle pigeons (most people are timid around birds).

I am guessing the finder's keeper's rule was put into place but some how my pigeon gained it's freedom. That snow white homer had a white banded with my name and phone number also a zip tie on the right leg colour coded to signify the last digit in the year it was born.

If you purchase and adult bird from me I would recommend you mate it with a partner and raise 3 rounds of squabs before you release it preferably alone and hungry to free fly around your loft. Even then there are "NO GUARANTEES" when it comes to pigeons My best bird Jackson returned home (719miles) after a year prisoner in a loft to a fancier I sold him to.

Jackson RIP
He was a feral I hand raised as a squab about 40+ years ago.

 

[LamarshFish]

I am guessing the finder's keeper's rule was put into place but some how my pigeon gained it's freedom. That snow white homer had a white banded with my name and phone number also a zip tie on the right leg colour coded to signify the last digit in the year it was born.

If you purchase and adult bird from me I would recommend you mate it with a partner and raise 3 rounds of squabs before you release it preferably alone and hungry to free fly around your loft. Even then there are "NO GUARANTEES" when it comes to pigeons My best bird Jackson returned home (719miles) after a year prisoner in a loft to a fancier I sold him to.

Hokum, the bands I have with my phone number on them are removable clips as well, but next time I buy them I am going to buy seamless bands that are like the race bands you put on them at 5-7 days of age. They are not removable, so nobody can play the game you mentioned above. Race bands are also not removable, as I'm sure you know.

I am just curious, what compelled you to sell your best bird!?!

 

[CCUK]

Young birds or birds that have never mated and raised young tend to settle in more quickly. I have a Belgium blood line in my homers and I assure you none of my adult birds would settle in in such a short time.

A month ago+- I did a single dove release at a grave side the weather broke into a thunder storm long story short the bird went missing. I am not sure exactly how many weeks later I did a head count. I was back up to 38 birds. On further investigation my missing bird had returned but had been robbed of all it's pigeon bands. I know definitely the bands could only be removed by a human. He must have taken up shelter in some type of enclosure to weather the storm and was caught by someone who knew how to handle pigeons (most people are timid around birds).

I am guessing the finder's keeper's rule was put into place but some how my pigeon gained it's freedom. That snow white homer had a white banded with my name and phone number also a zip tie on the right leg colour coded to signify the last digit in the year it was born.

If you purchase and adult bird from me I would recommend you mate it with a partner and raise 3 rounds of squabs before you release it preferably alone and hungry to free fly around your loft. Even then there are "NO GUARANTEES" when it comes to pigeons My best bird Jackson returned home (719miles) after a year prisoner in a loft to a fancier I sold him to.

View attachment 1430380

Jackson RIP
He was a feral I hand raised as a squab about 40+ years ago.

That's bad drills that is. Taking your bird and removing the numbered rings! This was my dilemma with boomer. I could have just kept her but it wouldn't have been right. I had to contact the owner and try to send her back. If it was my bird even if someone found her dead somewhere I'd still like to know what happened. I have applied for membership to th rpra so I can register all my birds to me. If another member was to be caught with someone else's bird without just reason they will be fined and kicked out the club. I know this doesn't work for non members or if someone removes the ring but if the ring is removed it cannot be used for racing. I'm glad you got her back though. It shows the homing sense was strong in her!