chandlerTX
33 posts
Dec 07, 2006
8:53 AM
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Ok, in answer to an earlier post about BOP, I stated that since September I have been flying my birds only about twice a week, and only within the last hour of daylight. I also stated that since my birds had been trapped trained at night and are feed after dark (with lights on the kit box" I feel they could trap in after dark if a hawk drives them up. I tested my theory twice this week. There were no hawks, but I released them 2 hours after dark. My results were that most birds were reluctant to leave the kit box, and I had to flag most up to fly. Once out, only about 12 of 18 birds would fly longer than 5 minutes. The 12 that would fly kitted fairly well for 20 or so minutes, then broke away into 3 or 4 smaller kits. They flew low, never going above 150 feet, 50 being about the average. On the second attempt I had one bump from about 15 feet upon leaving, but he got up and flew after that. All 18 birds trapped in on both attempts. They looked neat in the full moon and clear sky, but I beleive I will stop this experiment. I am afraid that the breaking up of the kit may cause bad habits as well as comming down early(I did not flag up the birds that came back down). I do hope the experience will help the birds get back home if out after dark. Any input or experience with night flying appreciated.
Thanks
Chad
Last Edited by on Dec 07, 2006 8:56 AM
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J_Star
715 posts
Dec 07, 2006
10:39 AM
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Bad idea and I am glad you came to that conclusion. I wouldn't have attempted that myself, regardless of hawks or not. The reason is because birds are programmed to go to sleep once the sun goes down and I won't break up that cycle for them. If I want to fly my birds at night, I would've purchased some bats and sure they will clean up the mosquitoes around my house. Thanks for giving it a try.
Jay
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ROLLERMAN
52 posts
Dec 07, 2006
10:48 AM
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chad
The tippler guys have been flying at night for fifty years. And some of the homer guys are trying it now. With what results i dont know
al
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W@yne
47 posts
Dec 07, 2006
10:54 AM
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chandlerTX
The birds won`t get bad kitting habits by flying at night. Probly the birds cant see each other to kit up in the 1st place.Custom fitted night vision goggles are the only way forward LOL tak care chandlerTX
regards
W@yne uk
Last Edited by on Dec 07, 2006 11:07 AM
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RollerJoe
12 posts
Dec 07, 2006
12:25 PM
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Brother wayne that will only work until the perigrine cottons on and gets the night vision goggles also. Fly on my brothers roller Joseph.
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JMUrbon
90 posts
Dec 07, 2006
5:15 PM
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Chandler although I agree with Jay I also say you have some major cajonas. LOL. I think that to do this on a regular basis is flirting with disaster but I know lots of guys including myself that train their birds to land in the dark with lights. I dont do it on purpose like some do but my older birds have no problems comming in after dark. Its the younger ones I always worry about but after awhile they catch on too. I am locked down for the winter now but mine usually get caught out a couple time in the fall befor they get locked down. Joe
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chandlerTX
34 posts
Dec 08, 2006
1:04 PM
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Thanks for the input guys. I will stop the night flying, but it gives me a little comfort in that they have flown around my area in the dark and made it back home. Chad
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motherlodelofts
1055 posts
Dec 08, 2006
1:50 PM
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Yes it can be done, get more info from the Tippler guys ,they are masters at it
I don't think that blowing them out of the box in the pitch dark is the way to start them though LOL.
You start out at dusk for training and you need the proper lights.
I have landed kits late at night with lights,just didn't do it on purpose LOL, I've turned on the flood lights and sat coleman lanterns on the roof to get them down before, you have to be careful not to blind them with the lightin, Once the birds loose their fear of their shadows from the lights half the battle is won.
Keep in mind that owls can hammer kits hard also and they can hit them without warning.
Scott
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JMUrbon
97 posts
Dec 08, 2006
5:32 PM
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Very good point Scott. Joe
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George Ruiz
136 posts
Dec 08, 2006
6:35 PM
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I remember this one night at a club in Vegas OOPS !!
Thats not the type of night flyin you guys are talking about.
LOL
George
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motherlodelofts
1067 posts
Dec 09, 2006
11:28 AM
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I believe that the Tippler guys train them to drop once the lights are turned on.
Scott
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