SJP
7 posts
Mar 23, 2006
6:16 PM
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I've read all the literature about flying birds out for at least 2 years. However, i live in the North East and have a serious problem with hawks. I only fly during the so called save periods of April-October, however still loose about 20% of my birds. Other flyers push it and loose 50%. Like most, the hawk seems to get the best ones. I got most of my birds from a friend of mine who I would call a "old timer". He would always tell me that when you get a good young bird who fits your profile of a birmingham roller that you should "pickle" that bird. He would always say that "the roll is in them". I am talking about the bird that has that perfect conformation, look, stlye, etc. I always seem to push that extra fly or two and end up loosing that bird to the hawk. I'm talking about a bird that is less than 1 year of age.
My question is this. Would you continue to fly this bird out, risking loosing it, or would you "pickle" this bird, knowing his parents. I'm talking about that 1,2-out of 50+/- birds", and send to the breeding pen?
Thanks,
SJP
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Sourland
54 posts
Mar 23, 2006
6:44 PM
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SJP, I also live in the Northeast and if I continue to fly through Oct.(which I have done) I will lose 80% of my birds. I guess it depends upon how bad you need those birds. I've just started, and I am desperate. I am breeding from three '05 cocks and two '05 hens that I will put back up after I have raised enough young. Lost a real good brother to one of the cocks and three really nice hens by flying too long last year. When I get enough quality, and am not scraping for breeders, I definately will fly birds two years before stocking.
Geo.
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SJP
9 posts
Mar 23, 2006
7:21 PM
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GEO,
Flying in this area of 7-9 years. To loose 80% of birds is insane! I would never raise birds to loose that percentage to hawks. I rather not raise rollers. I thought i had it bad at 20%-25%, 80% is crazy. Very rare to have a bird last 2 years. With the amount of breeders that you have and the percentage of loss, you will not be flying in the next 2 years. A roller friend breeds 100 youngster a year and looses 50 youngsters to hawks.
SJP
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Sourland
56 posts
Mar 23, 2006
7:34 PM
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SJP, unguestionably there are times that I think about quitting. '03 was my first year-not too bad. '04 lost 80% of what I raised. Last year I raised about 80 birds-approximately 30 are still alive. I fly out of a tough spot. My yard is surrounded by 40 ft trees and thick brush to the East and South. Makes for perfect hawk habitat. The question is not if I will get a hawk attack but when. May try flying OR, but I really love the birmingham roller.
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SJP
11 posts
Mar 23, 2006
7:45 PM
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GEO,
When is started flying 7-9 years ago i did not have much of a problem with hawks. A long time roller friend who lives 30 minutes away would always say, "wait" the hawk will find you. Sure enough, every year it got worst and worst. I think you will have a worst problem. If you are loosing 80% in such a short time, in a couple of years, or sooner, it will be 100%. We all love the rollers, however, i think you better find a new hobby at this rate.
SJP
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on a roll
9 posts
Mar 23, 2006
8:03 PM
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SJP, if i have a bird that does everything right that i liked and was a 10ft.bird ,yes i would stock it. unless i had more breeders than i could use. jerry
Last Edited by on a roll on Mar 23, 2006 8:04 PM
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SJP
12 posts
Mar 23, 2006
8:12 PM
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Jerry,
Thanks, that is my feeling at this point. I decided this year i would in fact stock this bird. Again, I'm not talking the typical bird. I'm talking that rare 5%+/-.
SJP
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motherlodelofts
680 posts
Mar 23, 2006
10:51 PM
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You do what you have to do and then let the hard flown sibblings proove or disprove.
Scott
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spinnerdom
76 posts
Mar 26, 2006
1:04 AM
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stock the bird dont even think about it,get a gun
breed the good ones find the clicking pair, never separate clickers , continue,till you have 5 pair clickers,then eggs to foster parents. you now have it all.
clean your bush a little more if you can.
also 10' always breed to deeper. you can do a lot better.
jim
Last Edited by spinnerdom on Mar 26, 2006 1:06 AM
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J_Star
319 posts
Mar 26, 2006
6:59 AM
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SJP,
You need to know when to lockup. During winter hawks get very persistant and right down ugly. Hunger is a bitch. I live in NE Ohio and I've learned to lockup if I need to keep my good rollers. After a few months of lockup, it takes about two to three weeks for the rollers to get back to where they left off and you work them from there. Stocking a young bird is based on your judgment and taking a chance. Most of the time it is a good decision but sometimes it is not even if you stock the best don't mean they will reproduce themselves or better.
Jay
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