Double D
236 posts
Jun 23, 2006
10:14 PM
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I'm going to describe this the best I can and hopefully paint a picture for you.
From my very first round of birds this year, I have 5 that still fly together and 2 others that I moved with a younger kit. This post is about the 5 I still have flying together.
Factors:
Age: They are exactly 4 months old.
Feed: I switched from pigeon mix to 5 parts wheat, 1 part pigeon mix about 2 weeks ago. (It's supposed to be 2 parts wheat, 1 part Austrian Peas but my feed store hasn't gotten the peas in yet)
History: They had been kitting well and a couple of them had been doing 10 to 20 footers while most others were doing 5 footers - all with decent velocity. Flying height had been around 100 to 300 feet most the time. Frequency of those that rolled wasn't all that great but I figured they are still young and was happy with the progress they were making.
Present Problem this last week and a half or so: They are flying considerably lower most of the time. They have taken to darting around this row of trees across the street that stand probably 100 feet high and 60 feet wide at the tops. They circle them like race cars on a track, seeming to get a thrill out of cutting the corners as close as they can and diving around the bends. A 2nd change in their flying is when they are flying away from the trees, they might be flying in a straight line at normal speed then slowing down slowly almost to a hover but not quite, (this is the at the point where they used to roll), and then turning left or right like a fighter jet and talking off like rockets. Then they loop back around and again slow down almost coming to a hover and then turning one direction or the other and taking off like they have rocket full coming out their butts. They do this over and over. They've really seemed to have stiffened up also. When they do roll, unlike a few weeks ago, the roll is extremely sloppy. They'll do all of this for 20 to 30 minutes and then come down. Once they come in, they trap quickly. I think I have the amount of feed dialed in fairly well.
I've thought about introducing them one by one into the younger kit who isn't rolling yet but flys at good height and hasn't developed the tree race track habit which is really starting to get frustrating and something that I'm fearing all my birds will do because those damn trees are there. **My younger kit gets the same feed by the way but isn't flying at all like the older birds.**
Is what I'm experiencing normal for young birds?
Do you think it's the change in feed I made a couple weeks ago?
Do you think they're going through the moult?
Is it simply their age? Do birds normally stiffen up before they mature into good rollers? Is slowing down and then turning and taking off like a rocket something they do as young birds? Do rollers start out rolling well when they come into the roll and then get really sloppy and then get good again?
I'm open to all suggestions of what to do to get them back on track. Thanks!
Darin
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motherlodelofts
815 posts
Jun 24, 2006
12:15 AM
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Darin, youngbirds do all kinds of goofy stuff , I really don't concern myself with it , as they mature my birds settle and quit doing all the weird stuff like dropping like Donkets,hawk manuvers ect. it is just a phase
I do like them flying longer than that and when they drop early I'll let them sit for a few minutes thrn push them back up and usually they will do another 20 - 30 minutes which tell me is isnt the feed,just another type of phase my Y/B s go through.
Keep in mind that I'm talking "my" birds.
Scott
Last Edited by motherlodelofts on Jun 24, 2006 12:16 AM
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fhtfire
497 posts
Jun 24, 2006
2:19 PM
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Darin,
Scott is totally right...look at your own kids..especially the teenage years...they can do and say some weird shit...LOL!! THe birds are the same...of course if the birds are saying something to you...it may be you with the issues..LOL!!
It could be just a phase...and it could be that they are coming into the young moult..it could be the change from a lot of birds to just 5 or so.
I know when my young birds at that age do that...they are telling me they would like a couple days rest. Are you still flying every day...if they are well into the roll and doing 20 ft rolls every now and then...try flying them every other day....and throw in an extra day of rest in there..they may be a little strong...But..for sure I would not stress..they are just teenagers..doing goofy stuff..
rock and ROLL
Paul
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Velo99
510 posts
Jun 24, 2006
2:42 PM
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Darin,
You said you changed the feed.That is the result.You changed it pretty drastically for birds that young. Any particular reason? Were they not performing,not flying long enough? What made you change their feed? What you are feeding is okay for older birds but personally I would go back to the other feed regimine for the younger ones.They need good seed til they get thru the first moult.
mho
v99
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If they don`t kit,they don`t perform.
It`s a comp thing,understand?
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parlorfancier916
41 posts
Jun 24, 2006
11:45 PM
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paul is right, it's like a kid going to school, they want the weekend at home to play around...
Doua
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J_Star
484 posts
Jun 26, 2006
4:58 AM
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Cut down on their protine intake to get them higher up and away from the tree.
Jay
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siddiqir
231 posts
Jun 26, 2006
8:51 AM
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I think your birds need more feed. If you switched from mix to mostly wheat then amount should also be increased.
My take: A cup of wheat is *NOT* equal too a cup of mix.
So if for example you were feeding 7 oz mix feed then to get the same effect you may need to feed 9 oz of wheat.
Additionally, young birds are pain in the a**. Let them do their things. My birds get straight up after 6 months. Just try to fly them so they can build their stamina and stay in the shape.
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SJP
33 posts
Jun 30, 2006
6:56 PM
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Darin,
You did a great job explaining the flight pattern of your birds. I have birds just about the same age that are doing the exact same thing as your birds. As a matter a fact I posted ealier on this same situation (Erratic Flyers). I think the guys are right. Its just a phase the birds are going through. Know that i think about it, it happens each year. It doesn't last very long.
SJP
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