|
The Original All Roller Talk Discussion Board Archive >
What about those poor hens?
What about those poor hens?
Page:
1
Shaun
90 posts
Sep 02, 2005
1:41 PM
|
As a starting aside, I should mention that I've just got back from a fortnight's holiday away. After much deliberation about whether or not to take the birds with me to my house in France, rather than leave my expensive stock with a novice, I opted for the latter. Two days after leaving, I got a call to say two of the birds had got out. Fortunately, with expensive mobile to mobile instructions across Europe (my phone bill), he got them back in, as they were settled birds. God knows what would have happened if they were from the other loft of unsettled future Mason breeders.
Anyway, I got back after the fortnight and flew my little kit after their lock-up. Well that was a shock; what a pile of crap - they were all over the place. I knew they'd want to land early, cos they were lazy, but the kitting was all over the place.
Thankfully, here we are just a few days later and everything is back to normal - they're kitting, rolling well, flying a good duration and my heart-rate has gone down.
Sorry to digress from the main topic coming up; I thought this might be of interest to some other newbie contemplating leaving precious birds behind for a break of any length. Be warned - no-one will look after your birds like you do.
Anyway, onto my question - it's about hens really. Cocks, we know, can take care of themselves. They're invariably horny and will shag anything that shows the slightest interest.
What I'm on about is the splitting up of a pair in order to try the cock with a different hen. We've seen the nest-making, egg-sitting, squab rearing, possibly for a number of rounds. Then we want to take the cock and try it with a different hen. So, the established pair finish rearing their youngsters, then we take the cock away.
Well, if I were that hen, I'd be pretty upset. Now, everything I've read doesn't raise this issue, other than to suggest trying different pairs to compare results. I want to get a bit closer to the nitty gritty.
I tried a cock with a new hen the other day. Yes, he strutted his stuff with the new hen. She wasn't remotely interested and he soon gave up, then you could see he just wanted to be back with his usual missus. She, meanwhile, had clearly missed him and (despite the fact that he'd been out looking for a quick shaq elsewhere) welcomed him back with open wings.
So, what I want to know is a bit more detail about the breaking up of a pair to put them with other birds in close proximity. Do the hens wear black for a while or couldn't they give a toss - even if the cock can be seen and heard nearby?
Shaun
|
upcd
31 posts
Sep 05, 2005
1:16 AM
|
I think it is only fair if he gets a new mate so should she. If both parties have someone new. There is no hard feeling. But if someones left out in the cold they can get depressed.
|
fhtfire
194 posts
Sep 05, 2005
12:24 PM
|
If you do not have a cock and hen loft it is a lot harder on the birds when you split them. IF the hen is left alone and can see her old mate...she wants her old mate. What I have to do in my situation is take the hen that is losing the mate and either put another cock on her so she will get over it...and let her sit on wooden eggs when she lays (If I do not want offspring from that new pair). Or I will put the hen in an empty kit box or with the young bird kit birds and put her in my veiwing cage when I fly my young bird team. After a week or so...she will be ready to mate the first cock you put with her...Unless you have a cock hen loft it is a lot harder if they can still see each other. Just my thoughts
rock and ROLL
Paul Fullerton
|
Velo99
77 posts
Sep 05, 2005
4:44 PM
|
Hi Paul,
I am rebuilding my boxes over the winter to a three compartment style for a poly system. I feel it will make the birds and myself a lot more comfortable next season. The ones I had were good but after a season, and reading a bit, I saw room for improvement. Oh yeah,my wife approved the purchase Paul. Email me with details.
When I pair up for the season. I plan on using a cock on three hens. With the center compartment,it makes it immeasurably easier to "pair" the cock to the hens I want to breed to. The center compartment will be the cock box. used for several operations.
When I break up the pairs it gives me more space to "store" birds for a few days, I am really limited on space.
I really believe it will allow me to increase my production or shorten my season and get to flying due to lessening the down time between rounds.
I feel that a lot of the problems we have breeding are due to misapplied breeder space.
yits
kenny
|
jamal
1 post
Sep 09, 2005
5:58 PM
|
Hi shuan
I have had rollers for about three years, I am currently looking to get some mason strain into my current stock, I live in the uk and I would much appreciate if you could help me, my email address is kubs_2005@hotmail.co.uk.
many thanks
|
Post a Message
|
|
|