Double D
260 posts
Jul 11, 2006
9:19 PM
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I want to ask a little bit different question of the group than the "Wind Speed" thread so I thought I'd start a new one.
Today was breezy, 15-20 m.p.h. with gusts up to 25 to 30. The wind is common in my area and I want the birds used to it in case that's the way it is when comp day comes. I don't worry about over-flys or losing birds to the wind. If they can't handle it, I don't want them in my program anyway. Of course, there is a limit, I don't expect them to handle really heavy wind. 20 m.p.h. is about the max.
HOWEVER, I'm wondering if flying birds in the wind isn't good primarily because it teaches them bad habits. They seem to like to ride the wind like a huge wave on the ocean rather than attempt to fly normal patterns or still work on rolling and kitting well. Has anyone else noticed this with their birds? Is flying in the wind bad for the habits and flying patterns it might teach the birds? What's your opinions? Thanks!
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Darin Olson
Checkerboard Lofts
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nicksiders
705 posts
Jul 11, 2006
9:48 PM
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I have found that it teaches the birds bad habits and that is a larger fear for me than overflys. It is hard to break bad habits in rollers and I find myself very impatient with the process........I don't always have time. That is when my culling tool is brought out; something I get no joy out of.
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Snicker Rollers
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thong
18 posts
Jul 11, 2006
11:26 PM
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I think that if that is your "normal weather" than by all means do it, because your birds need to get use to that and also do what they have to--learn to roll in the wind. In short-condition them to thier environment. Sorry you have such bad wind condition. I know what you guys mean about bad habits. But what else can you do--not fly them at all?
thong
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Velo99
541 posts
Jul 12, 2006
1:57 PM
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The bad habit thing is relative here. I agree with Thong, what am I gonna do,not fly? Everyone else in my area has to deal with the wind as well so.....
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If they don`t kit,they don`t score.
Color don`t roll and peds don`t fly.
It`s a comp thing,understand?
V99
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fhtfire
533 posts
Jul 12, 2006
7:19 PM
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Well,
I think the picking up bad habits thing...is if you do nothing but fly in the wind. I fly my birds in the wind...up to about 18-20mph. I have yet to lose a bird or a kit. I will NOT fly a new young bird kit..because they have enough trouble..flying without wind..LOL!! But my older birds...No problem....I feel and it is just my feeling..that they find there way back..in that unfortunate event that you let you birds out and the wind really kicks up...you have that thought in the back of your head..they have flown in the wind and they will make it back home. So...you have to use your sound judgement. If they are older birds and in good shape..AOK..if they are older birds and they are light on the wing...then NO..It all depends on the age of your birds and the condition of your birds. There have been some days...where I walked out and then said...NOPE>..to windy.
rock and ROLL
Paul
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Opinionated Blowhard
55 posts
Jul 14, 2006
2:01 AM
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It depends on your local conditions and your particulr rollers. Guys who have to fly in places with frequent winds need strong pigeons that can handle it without going nuts with bad habits. If your winds are not that continuus you should not fly in winds especally strong winds.
The most important part of training young roller kits is to get them to fly in a nice slow pattern particularly a figure 8 if possible. Any conditions or feed or kit birds that push them to fly to fast or in small tight circles can set them up so this becomes a habit of that kit. It can ruin young birds as future kit birds.
Try to find a time of day you can fly at least 5 times a week when the wind isnt a problem. In some areas fanciers have even moved and relocated to someplace with less wind.
If winds were you live are persistent then your birds may be able to adept to the winds. Dont invite trouble by flying in wind. But if its unavoidible try to build your birds up so they can deal with it. I dont think the risk of losing the birds is high unless they are really young. If they are strong enough to stay with the kit for 30 minutes then they should be able to make it back without getting lost. It helps to have some conspicuus white birds or droppers on the loft so that young birds can key in on them if they get weak and try to leave the kit to look for the loft.
Dont release younger weakr pigeons until after the main kit has landed. Then release the younger ones to fly on there own for a few minutes. Its always risky if very young birds just learning to fly get in with a strong kit they cant keep up with. Thats when they can get lost because they havent learned there home landmarks yet. Thats not a lack of homing instinct. Its a lack of sufficient training or experience. Even homers dont use homing instinct within a mile or 2 from there home loft. They use visual recognition of landmarks. Thats why fanciers lose less young birds if they have a water tower or open space or silo or barn near there loft.
Its a challenge for sure. Kevin
Last Edited by Opinionated Blowhard on Jul 14, 2006 2:04 AM
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