Homer, Biggles, Amber and Speckles

[Philip]

Hi all (especially Cynthia, Helen and Terry who helped so much), it's been a lonnnng time and I've kept meaning to check in and let you know how things are going. Well over a year now since Homer landed on us (remember Cynthia?) and we are now caring for 4 cock ex racing pigeons. All in really brilliant health (except for heavy and comical moulting right now ha ha) and all regained some form of flight.

Helen might remember Homer and the wing bandage for his dislocated wing. Well for about 6 months he couldn't fly at all, then we moved house and I made a MUCH larger loft and aviary, he started chasing Biggles all around (really bullies him!) and in his anxiety to catch Biggles he suddenly found he could fly again! Hilarious.

I only had the three of them when we moved but then a local racing pigeon fanatic was going to dispose of Speckles because he wouldn't race! I took him in and now he is nearly as tame as Biggles who is, as always, a total character. Biggest of all of them and soft as butter. Passionate about peanuts and sunbathing. Likes flying too when in the mood but I daren't let him out as the place is swarming with Sparrowhawks .


Anyway, hope you are all well.

Philip

[TAWhatley]

Thanks for such a good news update! I'm very happy for you and the birds!

Terry

[Philip]

Thanks Terry (sorry I forgot to say hi to you specifically before my edit - I forgot your christian name )

Yes all is going very well which is better than the situation you have on your hands in NY right now by the sound of it. I only wish I could help but you ARE rather a long way away, and they even scrapped Concord which is a real pain ...lol. But seriously, I hope you find a solution.

Best of luck.

Philip

[cyro51]

Great to hear from you, Philip! Funnily enough I was wondering about Homer only the other day. Sounds like you have a happy little flock there.


Cynthia

[John_D]

Great update, Philip. I remember Homer too. So you have a real 'racers retirement home'

Don't they just look so funny when they moult! Our 'Sir Poopsalot' is a real big ex-racer, but right now his neck is scraggy, he has feathers dropping all over, and little spiky beginnings of new ones - far from his usual big, beefy self

John

[Philip]

Cynthia and John, wow I'm impressed and grateful that you remembered! And yes I've grown really fond of them all.

The moulting is exactly as you describe it John although interestingly I think that the birds which were originally based further north seem to be moulting earlier than those from the south. Maybe it's just coincidence or maybe it has something to do with being conditioned to colder weather in the north earlier.

I'm getting a bit of a reputation locally for keeping ex racers and i'm just praying that I don't get put in the position of being offered a hen as I really don't want to get into all the complications of breeding and mating (romantic as it might be!).

Anyway thanks again.

Philip