Santandercol
51 posts
May 02, 2006
9:46 PM
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Just picked up this kit of 17 Neibles bloodline of birds last weekend from a guy in Abbottsford B.C. named Dave Naud in the B.C. Roller club.They're settling in nicely,going through those 4in 45degree black pvc pipe traps which they weren't used to,like they were born there.Already got one hen picked out(Dave said she is a good one 05 bird) which I wont fly and keep as a breeder, so now comes the fun part to pick a mate for her and decide who else to save from the hawks and use in my breeding loft.Of course I'll fly the kit first,a few times at least,to try and determine which are the best,but i wonder how many I should keep to breed as I already have 2 good breeding pairs from another family and a pair of duds that haven't laid a friggin' egg yet.I want to end up with 3,possibly 4 kitboxes to fill eventually.I was thinking to keep maybe 3 pairs after having flown them sometimes so that would still leave me with 11 not counting hawks.Do you folks think 5 pairs would give me a good start in a serious breeding program?I'm starting to think competition might be fun someday,I just don't know if those judges will come to this little island to watch birds fly!!Can't wait to chase them birds out of the box!!!
Kellinos
Last Edited by Santandercol on May 02, 2006 9:48 PM
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C.J.
142 posts
May 03, 2006
4:03 AM
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Hey Kel
Great to hear you have your birds. Just wondering did you see them in the air before you bought them? It would make it a lot easier to start your breding program if you had. Also keep in mind if you go to fly these foundation birds that you may very well lose a few when you let them out. They may not settle right or a hawk could scare them. I am not trying to burst your bubble just don't want you to lose the birds that you have been so excited about getting. I hope everything works out well for you. Enjoy.
C.J.
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Velo99
408 posts
May 03, 2006
4:55 AM
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Kell,
If you don`t want to lose any of the new birds,pull the last four flights on each wing. Will render them pretty much flightless for 4-6 weeks as the new feathers grow in. Plenty of time to get them settled.
Go with three pair and one foster pair for each pair. You could feasibly have 12 eggs/chicks in a month. Run two rounds and you have a kit. Fly them out and carefully pick the best two producing pairs for the next season. Switch mates and breed with two fosters per pair. Should make your birds better each season with the same numbers.
Good luck bro
v99
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Santandercol
52 posts
May 03, 2006
7:43 AM
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Hey Cj and V99,
These birds were given to me by a reputable breeder in this region and no(I know it's a no no)I didn't see them fly as we were rushing to catch a ferry.That's kinda why I'd like to fly them to see which perform the best before I choose breeders.I was going to settle them for 2 weeks on the advice from the breeder I got them from.Do you think I shouldn't take that risk,and just select some out first for stock birds?Thanks for your input.
YITS!!!
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Kellinos
Last Edited by Santandercol on May 03, 2006 7:46 AM
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Outlaw Vizsla
7 posts
May 03, 2006
10:55 AM
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Kell,
Why not ask the breeder his opinion of which birds to pair up?? Since you didnt see them fly and he's been flying them, hopefully he kept good notes and would be able to tell you which birds are best.
I would go this route before taking chances flying them and potentially loosing good breeders. And if he didnt take good notes...well I still think your ahead pairing up birds useing the others as fosters and pumping out a few rounds. Take very good notes see what works what doesnt. repeat or change up accordingly.
JMO,
Matt
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C.J.
143 posts
May 03, 2006
12:58 PM
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I personally would not chance flying them. The only reason is there is a good chance you may lose a bunch. God is only going to know what will happen on the day you decide to set them free.Nothing may happen. I like the advice of asking the breeder who supplied them which birds would mate best to what.
Once you have more then by all means let them fly. I personally don't like pulling wing feathers. It tends to make them sitting ducks for every predator.
C.J.
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Velo99
409 posts
May 03, 2006
6:34 PM
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CJ
Why would you put a bird that can`t fly out to be eaten? Training cage bro. lol
Actually it is too important of a decision to leave it to chance. If one is careful,and smart there is no need to put yourself in position to lose birds.Treat em like squeaks and pull the feathers.Kell is doing what we told him to do and picking from the air.
v99
Last Edited by Velo99 on May 03, 2006 6:49 PM
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C.J.
144 posts
May 03, 2006
6:59 PM
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Velo I am not quite sure what you are saying. I have an aviary to get them used to the surroundings before I put them out. My point was I don't pull their feathers because one it is painful and two once the feathers are out it is irreversible until they grow back and they are unnecessary prey. Lastly it causes unnessary stress. If it works for you go a head I just don't practice it.
C.J.
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Santandercol
53 posts
May 03, 2006
10:19 PM
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Yeah,ya know,I just gotta see these birds fly before I match em up.Take that one good for su hen $ put a good strong lookin' cock wit her & fly the rest in a couple weeks to see where to go from there.Can chance it. alot of birds to be had in these parts it seems with my Crofton buddy doug offering more young in a month or so.But what's with these hawks man dont they know when to chill?Trick is to be really good at having yer birds produce LOTS a young to feed them preds..AIYAIYAI more wheat,,,,, no really guys are super good about spreadin bird saround here in gawdsown,
peace love n beads,
and sorry but how would you like yer toe nails pulled out mudda fire,,,,,flight feathersOOOOUUUUCCCCHHHH!!!!!!
Don't worry,we love ya V99.
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Kellinos
Last Edited by Santandercol on May 03, 2006 10:22 PM
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katyroller
23 posts
May 04, 2006
10:01 AM
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Another way to get around pulling feathers is to either tape them with the blue painters tape or tie the primaries with string. Either way once you are convinced they are settled you can undo with little damage to the feathers.
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Ballrollers
346 posts
May 04, 2006
10:28 AM
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I used the tape a couple months ago to settle my A-kit in a new location. It worked great! I used regular 2-inch masking tape. The blue painter's tape came off of several birds with the first wingbeats, so I had to switch. No feather damage and only lost one bird settling them. Good luck! YITS, Cliff
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Santandercol
58 posts
May 05, 2006
7:59 AM
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Had one bird from my new kit escape 2 days ago and she came back yesterday but not straight to the loft.I was whistling like a mad fool out there and shakin' the feed can,,,she's on the roof of the house and I was walking up the stairs with the feed can and she landed right on top of my head and sat there a minute while I tried to figure out what to do next!!Can't beleive how tame these birds are!!!She went in the trap after we went out for dinner.Evertin cool man!!!Cheers,
Kel.
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