Hi

Well got those 2 safety doors fitted today The Boss came down to check them out & brought me a cuppa she was well impressed

Whilst she was down she scanned the barheads in the flight next thing oh how is that one bred ???? he is out of blah blah blah thought as much the boss replied just my cup of tea she does like her Grey Spangles

So when I showed her the Grey in the Box the second round result she was even more well impressed as she loves her greys yet she is into D F Spangles

She had a look at the Lacewing she was well impressed hahahhahahaha then I had to explain how I bred a lacewing

Breeding a split Cock first pairing that to another Lacewing 2 youngsters 1 lacewing one split Im happy it was an experiment for a bit of fun

Ah well bye for now

Ed

Morning

Well Im off to Lee's this morning very quick visit just to sort a few things out

I will take him a few bits & bobs for the table top sale

Ive made a decision Im splitting a pair up 3 Hens all clear ?????? & one hen came from another breeding cage where she hatched youngsters

Im going to try another cock Ive had bother with he just sits there like a dummy

I had a Cock nothing last year well he has filled some eggs this spring lets hope eh

Before anyone says anything Yes I pluck the Cocks out only takes a sec or 2

I used to use sissors but I learnt how to pluck them out out with my fingers

I dont give up on something if I like it

Will update as things progress

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ed

Sounds like things are going well Ed. It's good to see you spending more time with the birds again and that the award reached you in one piece this time lol.

Hi Dean

The latest award is protected high security around it protected by an army of teddy bears

Strange thing is all the awards we have won in the birds have all been glass

I really enjoy spending time with my birds I get so much pleasure watching them grow My lot are slow I dont mind coz I know they will be ok when they moult through

Same as I enjoy Lee being over He is a mountain of knowlege

Ok byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ed

Hi Dean

The latest award is protected high security around it protected by an army of teddy bears

Strange thing is all the awards we have won in the birds have all been glass

 

I really enjoy spending time with my birds I get so much pleasure watching them grow My lot are slow I dont mind coz I know they will be ok when they moult through

 

Same as I enjoy Lee being over He is a mountain of knowlege

 

Ok byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

Ed

Hi Ed

Found your blog at last, all in the name of progress they tell us. Glad you are well and look forward to seeing your new doors.

Lee

Morning

Well we had another Pinky born on Monday THe Dad is out of a R Long Cock & bought at the NBS auction a while back he was a Normal G G

His mam was a cracking Cinn Hen she won her class at Donny

He looks a lot better now than he did as a Youngster put him with one of my Best Cinn Hens lets hope eh

Im gonna try another normal grey had nothing out of him last year but a Light Green Cock I tried last year has filled his eggs

What Im saying is dont give up on them so easily

Some people say its a numbers game ok they have their opinion

I cannot see the point in breeding absolute loads of birds who is going to come to me for birds & some beginners & others are only happy if they are paying absolute shed loads for a bird

So I will just keep plodding on & enjoying what Im doing

Im having a clean today doing the breeding shed then the flight is next on the list of things to do

Ok Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ed

HI

got a few things done today not as much as I wanted not too worry

Went to the shops along the street got a few things on the way back I tripped went A over T smashed eggs milk etc etc

The council has been round & put cones around where I landed when I fell as they were worried kids could fall into the huge hole & not get out hahahahaha

Bloody hands are sore from when I saved myself when hitting the pavement

60 years old & cannot walk straight

I managed to get a few jobs done so I will just continue all week plodding along

Ok byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

ED

Morning

Im a bit sore after my fall not to worry

Been doing the breeding shed as I explained things needed doing so Im getting them done

Got 35 rung 2 pinky's in the box

Im now looking at a final push on my breeding team couple of Cocks I want to try

Lee was saying its been a funny old year breeding some people throughout the country have had a disaster not breeding very many

Yet others are banging them out

I can see the point in what some people are saying the more you breed the better the chance of a winner

I know some people are running a Cock with 2 or 3 hens if he is fertile

Yet I notice the Cocks come out of the breeding cage not carrying the weight they had when they were put down as all they do is feed either the Hen or the youngsters & the hen

Knowing your birds is the biggest factor in having a decent breeding season in my opinion

Ah well loads to do

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ed

Hi

So far the year 2013 has been a pig

Went to the flight this morning Cinn Sky Blue on the deck of the flight straight away I knew who it was Not to worry

Thanks Mick for giving me a wonderful Piccy of Robbie to remember him by

At least I have a 2013 baby from him I spotted it it the flight no hesatation in my mind who the youngster was

A naffed off pie Man

Onwards & upwards

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ed

Hi

 

So far the year 2013 has been a pig

Went to the flight this morning Cinn Sky Blue on the deck of the flight straight away I knew who it was Not to worry

 

Thanks Mick for giving me a wonderful Piccy of Robbie to remember him by

 

At least I have a 2013 baby from him I spotted it it the flight no hesatation in my mind who the youngster was

 

A naffed off pie Man

 

Onwards & upwards

 

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

Ed

Sorry to hear you lost him Ed, at least he did you proud on the Show Bench. Hope his youngster turns out just as good.

Chin up mate.

Hi Keith

The Lad is up from Manchester for the weekend He wanted to see the birds so I showed him around We were looking at the youngsters in the flight & I just said there is his Son He said how the hell do you know that from here there must be 50 birds in there I just laughed & said you would recognise me in a crowd he said of course Well I know these birds

He then made a fuss of the Cinn Grey Cocks in the breeding cages So when he returned to the living room he asked his Mam which is your favourite The Boss just laughed all of them she said they are all mine he just breeds them for me I name them all so they are mine

Made me feel a lot better

Thanks

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ed

so sorry to hear about Robbie, pleased you have some youngest from him xxx

Morning

Well I will do a few more little jobs down there today

I will do a couple more pairs which I will have about 9 pairs enough for me

There is a couple of Cocks I want to try again so I had better get my backside into gear

Will let you know how it works out

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ed

Hi

Well I only have 8 pairs down now but Im happy with that

One pair has 4 pinky's

Others have eggs

Some to start laying

Just put a pair down he is really nice a Normal Grey very quiet Bird never had anything from him yet but Im hoping put him to a hen who has already raised some youngsters so there is hope

Yes I plucked them both

She is from my Cinn line an Opaline Cinn Grey he is pure Mannes

I gave a Cock a hen earlier in the month she is now sitting full eggs So I was right in hanging him back for the spring weather

I know Don prefers Spring breeding I just like to get my breeding over with then I can concentrate on my show team

Ah well thats it for now

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ed

Hi

I was having a flit around the net today looked at the Sunderland Club reports

David ??? the ex president of the BS did a report on the Shields & sunderland show

I got some nice comments from David & he had Pics of my Cinns on the web pages

So proud of my Cinns I do get a lot of pleasure breeding my Cinns I do try & improve them yearly by using a good outcross

Got a nest at the minute G G Cinn Cock & a Grey Cinn Hen

He has a nice deep mask decent spots he is out of a R Long outcross which is pure Mannes plenty of B I S winners in his pedigree

THe thing is they are both clean so hopefully the youngsters will be clean

I put down another R Long Cock to an Opaline Cinn Grey Hen what a cow she savaged my hands whilst I trimmed her I could have happilly rung her neck bloody savage

Some hens will squawk but this thing is evil

Always remember K Allison telling me about a hen that savaged him brings tears to my eyes thinking about it

Ah well

I will let you know how things are going

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ed

Hi

Ive just checked the boxes as if I know the hen has laid I leave alone for a while So I did my check 2 boxes have youngsters in so if we manage to ring what is in the boxes I will have 42 plus whats to come from what Ive got paired up so Im having a decent breeding season

12 boxes used 42 youngsters 3 youngsters have died that were rung Im happy with my lot

Not had much in the way of addled or DIS & I did not have the heat on at all

I have used very deep concaves this year as opposed just using the chips in the box so it seems the way to go in my shed

Standing looking at the youngsters in the flight One can dream as they say ok Ive had some fun done a bit of winning in my little way picked up some hard won C C's in stiff competition some hard won section awards of which Im very proud & grateful to have won but looking at the youngsters it would be nice to see them hacking it at a show

Looking at my lot they all carry backskull & have decent shoulder so we are half way there

Ok byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ed

Hi

Read the latest issue of the BSmag found myself in 10 th posistion in the Novice breeder of the year

Im chuffed to bits due to things with my Mams ill health last year I did not do many shows so to come 10 th is a major achievement in my book

Well this year is my last in Novice I will do my best to put out a team I dont hold any fear for intermediate or any part of the future I just enjoy doing what I do

Chuffing great is this hobby

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ed

HI

I was sitting thinking what I have achieved in the hobby in a short time & Im amazed at what my little shed has done

We have not gone out of our way spending on expensive outcrosses

We do not breed loads of birds so we can be in control

This is not about bragging this is in the hope a newby reading my bl;og could be encouraged by what my little shed has achieved

I cannot afford to spend £££££££££££££ I bring in a bird I think will do something for my shed Like the Dairycoates Cock gave us a bit more depth of mask & bigger spot which has helped a lot

Each year we try to improve without losing what we have

So I hope if a Newby reads my Blog & understands what can be achieved with a little kindness from people & hard graft from yourself

THis is a wonderful hobby I hope everyone can embrace it the way my Wife & I do

Good luck

ED

Morning

Well its nearly that time for getting the show team looked at I do like to pick a team of youngsters now & start getting them sorted & ready when you consider what they have to go through mind you I leave tails alone I dont touch tails

I will do spots this week so come the shows they will have proper spots in

I will start washing them & spraying them

I will have to start on show cages as well get them spruced up nothing worse than a nice clean bird in a minging cage

I will look at what adults are not in the breeding cages as welll

Im looking at a team of 12

I really really enjoy puting a show team together esp the youngsters not long ago they were just a twinkle in my eye just a thought now they are on the bench for all to comment on

Ah well lets see how we go not made a pigs ear of it since I started in the hobby each year I just do my own thing & enjoy it & let it happen unlike some exhibitors getting all stressed walking around muttering under their breath about crap judging etc etc

So as they say let the games begin

I will try & play nice but I do get a bit naffed when I get a comment you will never beat me again with that Sh!!!

Ok Byeeeeeeeee everyone I really love this hobby I try & attend the shows put out a team to the best of my ability & help the shows as best as I can & accept any awards with humility

I hope to see my friends at the shows as I have missed speaking to them

BYeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ed

Hiya

Watching the news about people cannot afford to feed themselves / pay rates / etcetcetc

WE are not rich remember I took early retirement due to ill health

We dont drive a flash car we only live in a flat but its ours as they say

Now Ive just cooked Sunday Lunch for my family

Roast Beef ( Salmon Cut ) Mashed Pots Spring Cabbage Yorky Puds Gravy

THe boss is in the kitchen cleaning up my mess as normal

Working it out about £15 cost to feed 6 £12 for the beef from my mate £1 for cabbage £1 for tatties £1 to make the puds & the gravy

At least £40 in a pub

How much for those meal deal things in the supermarket

It beggars belief

I laugh at seeing mashed potato on the supermarket shelves the boss would kill me for being so lazy

Whats your thoughts on the Great British tradition of Roast Beef & Yorkie Puds

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ed

Morning

Really nice day today

The boss is out with the dog I had better get the breakfast started

I will get a few more rung today I hope

Ok I will update later

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ed

Hi

We have a little inter club tournament coming up

Well I have slung a few from the flight into cages to start getting them ready

South Shields won the event the other year

I will start having a look at youngsters with the view of a show team

I like the looks of a Grey / A Spangle / Cinn Grey / Sky Blue / Normal G G / Cinn Blue

Shove in a couple of adults all should be ok

I will have to check the car to see how many I can get in safely

I had better start sorting cages soon as well as I like to see spruced up cages

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ed

HI

Im having a crap year I hear all this oh dear on here & other places & I think you just dont know do you

My Dad passed away wedensday night heart attack he only lasted a couple of months without my Mam

Ive lost 2 of my top winning Cocks not too worry I have youngsters from them

& one I have the Mam / Dad / brother & sisters so all is not lost

Ive rung No 40 - 5 to ring in the boxes so we are doing well

So all is not lost & we can still put on a brave face & do our best

Ok Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ed

Ed I'm so very sorry that your dad has died.....sending lots of loves and hugs xxxxx

HI Gaile

Thanks for that

He did not last long after my Mam he has been in hospital most of the time

My 2 sisters naffed off as normal but instead of putting him in a home they insisted he could live at home on his own & he would be ok

They went back to their lives & he did not last 5 mins

THe way I wanted it was a retirement home just for company for him but I was outvoted not too worry

I doubt if I will see them 2 again

Ok Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee & thanks

Ed