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The Original All Roller Talk Discussion Board Archive >
For how long can you leave them on their own?
For how long can you leave them on their own?
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Shaun
21 posts
Jul 10, 2005
1:45 AM
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This is the same post as on another forum, if you've already seen it, as I'm trying to catch everyone with this query.
I suspect this is an issue which might affect a number of flyers. There are always going to be times when our rollers have to be left on their own, (and pigeons generally, I suppose). What I would like to know is how flyers cope.
Let's assume here that there's absolutely no-one else around who could be entrusted to do the job.
I know some flyers have a continuous water supply and that's bound to help matters. However, for the moment, let's assume that's not the case. For the purposes of this post, I want you to put yourself in my position. I have a house in England where I keep my rollers. I also have a holiday house in France. I usually stay there for 3 weeks in the summer and the odd week or so during the rest of the year.
This is my first year with the birds, so it's the first time I've had to encounter this problem. I left the birds for 4 days recently and that was no problem - the weather was warm and I just left lots of food and water in a variety of covered containers. As you'd imagine there was a build-up of crap and dirty water when I got back, but otherwise no problems at all.
But, now I'm looking at an extended period away and I want to know for how long I could safely push it. I've even looked into the possibility of taking all 40 birds to France with me. I've cleared the immigration issues and I could get them all in the back of the car, so this remains a possibility. But, I'd have to lock them in an unused bedroom until I could build something more suitable outside and, understandably, this would try my wife's patience. So, this isn't ideal.
But, nor is leaving them on their own for a lengthy period ideal. So, I'd like to hear of your own experiences, if you've had to encounter anything similar.
Cheers.
Shaun
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Bluesman
Pigeon Fancier
354 posts
Jul 10, 2005
3:38 AM
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Shaun.I think a week would be the Max.What are you going to do next year when you have several kits you are raising?
I am afraid you are either going to have to find someone to care for them or choose which one you want the most.Or you could build a Portable Loft and take them wherever you go.David
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Shaun
22 posts
Jul 10, 2005
3:50 AM
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Yeah, David, this was the hard choice I had to make when I started with rollers this year. My normal around the world travels are certainly curtailed if I can't find someone to help out. However, the France thing is certainly feasible, if something of a hassle. It's only 3-4 hours there from home and I'm sure I can erect something for the birds, for when I take them there - after all, I've done enough loft building at home this past few months! I'm actually building an aviary for the Mason 20, as I write.
So, you reckon a week, tops. Hmmm.
Shaun
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Alan Bliven
202 posts
Jul 10, 2005
8:16 AM
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Why not hire someone from your local pigeon club to come in every other day and change the water and food? There's lots of enthusiastic, responsible teenagers in our club that might need a few extra dollars. Or maybe even a housewife or unemployed man.
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Alan
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Shaun
24 posts
Jul 10, 2005
8:50 AM
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Alan, you have a valid point and I had given it due consideration, as there's a lad next door, aged 15, good with his guinea pigs, etc. He said he'd look after the birds, but I've resisted using him in case he mucks up. If anything went wrong, he'd be mortified and I'd obviously not be very happy.
Some people aren't good around birds - all that flapping about - and, most gag when they see all the shit to clean up!
The main worry would be birds escaping which aren't supposed to be out, as they're not for flying. Picture it: Young lad comes in to change water and food, birds escape over young lad's head and $1,000 disappears out of door.
If they did get out, he wouldn't have a clue how to get them back in. He'd have to try and move all the other birds from one compartment to another with them flapping about, so as to allow the escapees (should they so desire) to come back in. This is the stuff of nightmares...
I don't have a local pigeon club and I know of no-one but me keeping pigeons nearby.
But, I am interested to hear how others have got on using help from non-fanciers.
Shaun
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Sourland
17 posts
Jul 10, 2005
9:17 AM
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Shaun, in the area where I live there are several pet sitting services. The person that I use is 100% reliable and conscientious. I always have between 10 and 20 dogs and five kits of birds that need to be taken care of. I am always uncomfortable when away from home because "nobody takes care as well as me." Anyway, everything gets overfed while I am gone, but I can rectify that in a week or so after returning. If I had my, I would park my butt in the backyard with my dogs and birds, but the "Princess" would not be happy. Therefore I get talked into these various sojourns. Get someone to come in-show them the ropes, and then take a short trip to see how it works out. I always leave the phone numbers of a veterinarian, my best friend, and the location where we will be staying. Good luck! Geo.
Last Edited by Sourland on Jul 10, 2005 9:19 AM
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Shaun
25 posts
Jul 10, 2005
10:52 AM
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Geo, thanks a lot - an articulate and logical defence (English spelling) of the "Don't take them to France, you mad bugger" argument.
Cheers.
Shaun
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fhtfire
164 posts
Jul 10, 2005
11:18 AM
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Shaun,
I think everyone with birds comes across this problem. One thing you have to realize is ....yes it can be done. You can leave and have someone care for your birds. I myself would rather let the 15 year old care for the birds, instead of leaving water and food for days at a time....number one issue...is shit in the water...wil cause major problems if they keep drinking it..you will get disease for sure. The other problem is contaminated food...one mouse comes in to have a bite and piss on the food...you will have 40 dead pigeons when you get back. Of course...nobody is going to take care of your birds like you do...but having to take some time away is the risk you will have to take. If you lose a bird or two....it is better then losing all of them.
I always train my breeders to the trap...just in case this happens. I had one get out one time...that was my fault....I just opened the trap and the bird came back in. My little mealy bar ruby roller hen got out one time....she did not know how to trap...but she was hanging on the loft wire wanting back in......when she landed on the ground...I opened the loft door and just followed her and she went right in. I have also lost some good birds too.
Just have the fifteen your old come by everyday for about a week before you leave....to get your routine down....and every day explain the importance of being young man...and DO NOT LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN! LOL! Write everything down that you want done...then on the last two days...let him do the feeding and watering himself with you following behind..giving pointers. After a week you will be able to tell if he can handle it. Tell him if things look real good.....he may get a bonus when you get back. It is a risk we all take...but I myself would rather have a teenager(if you feel he is responsible) check my birds....instead of taking them with me....or even leaving them for days at a time with the chance of contamination....my two cents.....pay the kid! Just remember that something could happen...and shit happens.
I told a Teenager that watched my birds one time....that water is the most important...I took a glass or water and put two little pieces of pigeon shit in it...then I said would you like a drink....and he said...yuk no...then I said good..they would not want to drink it either...but they have to if you do not change the water. With the food and water.....he must not forget to feed and water...I asked him if he would like it if his mom and dad forgot to feed him one day....Just put it in perspective.
Taking the birds to France is fine....but When you get a couple of kits going...man that will be hard...you may as well let the teenager get used to it with 40 birds...so he will be ready for 100 in the future.
rock and ROLL
Paul Fullerton
Last Edited by fhtfire on Jul 10, 2005 11:30 AM
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Shaun
26 posts
Jul 10, 2005
12:26 PM
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Paul, I'm grateful. That clearly took some thought and you've eloquently put into persective the obvious issues I face. David (Bluesman) also asked what the hell I'm going to do when I've got the inevitable greater numbers of birds in the not too distant future. The answer to that one is that I've got time ahead to work something out, whilst it's the immediate problem I'm dwelling on.
In England, many of the flyers have an automatic water supply, whereby the birds just draw off what they need, so the water is constantly being replaced (thus virtually eliminating contamination). This is something I need to address but, meanwhile, I have got decent water containers whereby the birds can't get in - you know, the ones with the conical top. Still, feathers and the odd bit of food or shit does find its way in there - and we all know what that can lead to.
But, what you've said about training up the youngun next door - that makes sense. I did take him into the loft and he was somewhat in awe of all the commotion; after all, he's used to looking after guinea pigs - not these crazy horses.
Truth is that if I'm away from the birds for more than a little while, I'll miss the buggers. Can you believe I've just bought an extra car, so that the wife and me, the 2 kids, the bullmastiff, the guinea pigs, my home-based business - and the pigeons, can all go on holiday to France? I've even set myself up as in importer/exporter of birds so as to circumvent the immigration issues between here and the rest of Europe.
Now, is that dedication, or just blind stupidity?
Cheers.
Shaun
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spinnerpigeon
29 posts
Jul 10, 2005
1:30 PM
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Shaun,
Speaking from experiance (I am a teenager myself! LOL) I think that the kid would do just fine, if you left him clear instructions on what to do and when to do it. Just my 2 cents.
Caleb
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Shaun
28 posts
Jul 10, 2005
1:51 PM
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Well, Caleb, thank you for speaking up for your kind! I'm sure you're right and my teenager next door is more than competent; it's just that when he visited my loft recently, he did comment on the amount of shit - and I scrape the loft out at least once a day... He might be fine changing water and food, but I suspect the birds might be wallowing knee deep in crap when I get back.
Will he whistle while he scrapes, or will he gag?
Shaun
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Bluesman
Pigeon Fancier
355 posts
Jul 10, 2005
2:25 PM
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Shaun.I would say you are dedicated.Definately not stupid.LOL. I can see your vacation to France being a lot of hard work building them a Loft there.
You could always take your Breeders with you each vacation and teach the teenager how to care for the kitbirds next year.Be sure and put wire floors in your kit boxes and he wouldn.t have to scrape poop while you are away.Just feed and water them.If some of them got out they should trap back in for him.David
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motherlodelofts
170 posts
Jul 10, 2005
5:12 PM
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I allways try and get a pigeon guy to help out which normally I can, I have one buddy that house sits plus is great at taking care of the birds and everything else. Sure puts my mind at ease.
I think that my next option would be a pet sitter as they are animal type people.
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Shaun
29 posts
Jul 11, 2005
12:15 PM
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If I can move this one along a notch - and by the way, thanks very much to everyone for their input - for those of you who do have a helper to give you peace of mind whilst you're away - is he/she strictly for the everyday maintenance, or does anyone allow/persuade the helper to fly the birds, so they won't be out of condition upon return?
Shaun
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Bluesman
Pigeon Fancier
357 posts
Jul 11, 2005
12:51 PM
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Shaun.I never allow anyone to fly my rollers.Just regular feed & water.No meds of any kind either.If I lose a kit its my fault.If someone else lost a kit for me I would be hollering for a week.LOL.
If they are out of shape when I get back all the longer it takes flying them to get them back in shape is far better than me worrying about an overfly while I am away.David
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