doodlebug
1 post
Dec 29, 2005
7:19 PM
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Hi everyone! I have 12 racing pigeons, and just acquired a roller pigeon. I know about racing pigeons, they have the homing instinct, so if they are established with another loft and you acquire them, you can not fly them. What about roller pigeons? Can I fly mine, or will it go back to the original owner? Do I need more rollers, or will it fly with my racers when I let them fly around home? I do not know what kind of roller she is, do I need to fly her and watch how she performs to find out? Sorry, Like I said, I am sooo new at rollers. But they interest me, being a performance bird.
Thank you for being patient with me. I hope to learn a lot more.
Doodlebug
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upcd
119 posts
Dec 29, 2005
10:08 PM
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Rollers can be settled. 6 months. Start training her to trap and let her look around. You can get her a mate so she doesn't cross with your homers. Others will be on with some more ideas. Thanks for stopping by. Keep us posted. How did you get your roller? What does she look like?
Last Edited by upcd on Dec 29, 2005 10:09 PM
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Bluesman
Pigeon Fancier
610 posts
Dec 30, 2005
3:04 AM
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Doodlebug.We are all on here hoping to learn more.LOL. I got to warn you that once you start with rollers they will win your heart.You will soon be replacing your Homers with Rollers.Serious tho you can have both and enjoy them both.
On the left of this page Tony has a link "Introduction to Rollers". It is a very good start to learning about rollers.Find a mate for your roller hen and start raising some.Once you see them roll you will be hooked forever.David
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doodlebug
2 posts
Dec 31, 2005
11:34 AM
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My roller was given to me from my dad's friend. He raises homers, and had an old roller left from his son. I expressed an interest, so he was nice and gave her to me. As far as what she looks like, I can not find much different from my homers. She is grizzle everywhere, but a lot smaller (petite) than my other birds. She is a 1999 model, so she not young. She is very pretty. Thank you for the advice, I will certainly read the introduction. I am eager to learn. As for the homers, my son who is 10 got introduced to them thru my dad. He loves them. They fly theirs together and call when they come in. So far it is just a friendly competition between the 2 of them! LOL
Thanks again, and will keep reading and learning
Doodlebug
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upcd
121 posts
Dec 31, 2005
12:22 PM
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Sounds Like you are in for a fun time. Am sure all these guys will make you feel welcome. She is a real looker.
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Bill C
20 posts
Dec 31, 2005
5:21 PM
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You definately dont want to fly this roller with your hommers. They fly diffrent. Homers roam and she will fly up 400 or 500 feet over your yard. If she flys with the hommers you will probably lose her to the first hawk that chases the birds and rollers have to see their home from above or they get lost. Even young birds spoked and fly over a few trees get lost if they dont go up high and see where they live.
You can get some more rollers from guys in your area. Most of us like to encourage guys to fly just as hommer guys do. You will need a kit box large enough to fly out of and fly as manny as you can to start. 10 to 25 is good.
It takes an investment to getting started but if you have some cages and can keep a few birds seperate then your half way their. Anything mixing with rollers will ruin their performance just as an ace hommer mixing with a roller. Where do you live? Maybe you could get a few more from the mans son or go the the NBRC directory website and find a peer near you. If you just want them to try out you can get some birds for free that a guy has overstocked in kit birds. If you can go to a local club and see some rollers in action and see the guys back yard lofts and set up. If you get to see a good kit or just one champion roller spinning 30+ feet with fast velocity you will be amazed they exist. Most just breed for competiton but there are guys who have the whole package and are good trainers and understand the what they want and breed for it. Good luck BIll
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doodlebug
3 posts
Dec 31, 2005
9:44 PM
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Wow, thank you for the responses so far. I am learning a lot. I live in Boyd, Wisconsin, which is not far from Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire. The roller I have, was the last that was there. (He now is into homers). I do have a fantastic starter loft my father built me. It is about 10 x 12. It is divided in half with a screen door. I am only using one side for now. It has 3 shelves along the width, where they can sit, and I have dishes with hay and pine needles. In the front of the loft is a landing area, 2 feet out and about 3 feet up(kinda looks like a triangle). The landing area is screened in with big double doors that I can just open up when I want the birds to fly around home. To get into the loft, they have to go thru a trap door that just swings inward. Once in, they can not go back out, when door is down. Anyway, I leave the door up, so all my birds can go in and out, enjoy the sun, and get familiar with their surroundings.
Thanks again for the info. I am reading a lot of posts and making mental notes for future reference.
Doodlebug
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