Flyin Hawaiian
59 posts
Mar 02, 2007
7:20 PM
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Hey Guys,
Just thougt I would share with you a picture of my loft taken early A.M. Temp 31 degrees and clear as a bell. Notice the venting down below the main loft proper. Fresh air comes through the lowest part of the loft and the stale air exhaust at the top. Very important in obtaining the optimum in ventilation. Dry floors and good ventilation without draft is crucial to the health of your stock. Windows opposite one another is not ventilation but direct draft. It would be to your advantage to look at some of the homer lofts across the antion and see what kinds of ventilation they use and take a page out of thier book. Thanks Ivan from Portland Oregon
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Flyin Hawaiian
60 posts
Mar 02, 2007
7:27 PM
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Another view of kit boxes,frozen pond and landing tower.
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Electric-man
142 posts
Mar 02, 2007
7:32 PM
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Ivan, I like the way you always stay focused on helping! Very profesional! You are a welcome sight! You have a way of keeping the wirlwinds broken up. We can all learn from your wisdom, and I'm not just talking about your roller knowledge! My hats off to ya bro! Very professional!
Val R.
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Santandercol
821 posts
Mar 02, 2007
8:08 PM
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Ivan,
How about some daylight shots?I guess your Koi are still not moving much,eh.I've got 1/2 doz big ones and about a zillion goldfish outside in the 2 ponds.They'll start eating again around the end of the month once the water warms to 55 deg.
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Kelly
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sundance
63 posts
Mar 02, 2007
8:24 PM
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Truly one of the classiest setups Ive seen anywhere. I hope to someday be at your level in this game. Question... which direction does your loft face? Does the wind blow towards the lower vents or does it usually come from behind? Reason I ask is I have 2 windows in the south wall and 2 windows in the north wall but they are not directly across from one anouther, and the windows on the south are half way up the wall and the north windows are at floor level. Do ya think this is wrong for draft and ventillation? Your post leaves me guestioning my own setup. I thought I had a good theory when I built it but now I`m not sure.
Butch
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sac_spinners
64 posts
Mar 02, 2007
8:30 PM
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Very nice loft set up Ivan, i like that thing where they can come out and get fresh air!! A day shot would be nice!!
Chor
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sac_spinners
65 posts
Mar 02, 2007
8:30 PM
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Very nice loft set up Ivan, i like that thing where they can come out and get fresh air!! A day shot would be nice!!
Chor
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Missouri-Flyer
309 posts
Mar 02, 2007
8:34 PM
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My question is this.
Having vents on the lower sections of the loft, to me would mean that the weanlings that have been placed on the floor, and haven't fully developed feathering under the wings, could possibly catch to much of a cold draft, therefore causing infection?
If my memory serves me correctly, I have read where many want their lofts air/water tight with no drafts. My loft is air/water tight, but have a screen door that I put in place when temps/weather allow it,giving me the option of keeping cold/wind/rain out without the possibility of causing harm to the squeeks.How do you adjust the air flow with open vents at the bottom, or do you not worry about it?..Jerry
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Home of "Whispering Wings Loft"
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Flyin Hawaiian
61 posts
Mar 03, 2007
4:58 AM
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Val R,
I fly for the enjoyment of the true spirit in which each one of us has come to learn. I have been in the hobby along time but to this day I am still a student of learning and keep my ability to do so open. I choose not to be loft blind and enjoy the birds for what they are and as a competitor I have flown through some lean times. When the competitions were not in existance on a national level or world class level I still maintained the quality of my standards with my birds. The competitions are just an added bonus providing one realise that its better to be lucky than good LOL! Truly all the stars have to be in order to bask in that sunshine if you will no matter how good you are as a trainer and manger it still comes down to the rabbits foot and four leafed clover. Thanks for the nice words.
Butch,
The air isn't consistant as to which direction it is coming from on a regular basis however I have the loft facing west and would prefer it to face north but with the way my small yard is set up it was the only direction I had to put it in. With the fencing around the parameters of my yard I really don't get much of a constant wind blowing from any direction. It sounds to me that you have a similar situation as I do if you can get the air out the very top where your roof joices meet the parameter walls and install bird venting thier it will give you some very good exhausting. I believe with keeping things in as much of a natural environment as much as possible. Take your oommies living under the bridges have you ever noticed how far back inside the overhang they choose to perch? When you have draft you have added another element of stress to your birds and as a managr you need to minimize the amount of stress your birds are under. Hope this helps
Jerry,
Ventilation is a must and if you keep the loft air tight it is going to be a problem not only for the birds but also for you the manager. Respitory problems for both your health and the birds health will be prevalent. Bacteria grows more rapidly under conditions of stale air just as molds flourish with the same type of environment. Air ciruclation free from draft drys and the key to sucessful healthy pigeons is a dry floor environment. I haven't had a problem ever with youngsters placed on the floor of the loft getting chilled or sick. I have a small area in which they can find refuge when a bully cock wants to copulate and when they are young they learn fast wher they can find that refuge.Our mutual friend here on this list BMC built a new kit pen a few years ago that has this same venting system. Hey Brian hos has it changed you birds or has it? Iknow when I first installed it years ago I hadn't noticed any differrence until about 3 months after and I am a believer as to how the birds health is since the venting change. Try it and you will find out your self. Make sure you use some heavy guage wire to avoid any vermine coming in or raccons.
Mahalo Ivan Portland Oregon
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Flyin Hawaiian
62 posts
Mar 03, 2007
5:03 AM
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Daylight in the swamp!!
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MCCORMICKLOFTS
1238 posts
Mar 03, 2007
5:13 AM
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Ivan, I wouldn't say I noticed a difference because I have always kept well ventilated lofts. I believe the more open and airy a loft is, the more healthier your birds will be. I've had birds that lived for years, all year long, cold heat rain wind full blown in the weather for years, never get sick, have hard feather and body likes rocks. They even raised young in that all wire cage. Closed up lofts are bad in a ton of ways, which you alluded to.
Floor ventilation and rafter ventilation is important for any loft, regardless of where you live. Granted, those in sub zero temps wouldn't agree with me, but I haven't experienced those kind of temps to know if my thoughts would change.
As always Ivan, nice digs.
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sundance
64 posts
Mar 03, 2007
5:39 AM
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thanks for the reply Ivan. In the daylight it looks sooo cool there. Anouther question... have you ever had a bird roll down into the pond? and if so how did the bird do with that?
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Flyin Hawaiian
63 posts
Mar 03, 2007
6:53 AM
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Hey Butch,
YES I have which is rare here at my loft. I pride myself on clean exits at release and clean landings LOL! You have to play the balancing beam act with these birds and have to show some guts by breeding to the heat side otherwise you will end up with a loft full of stiffs very quickly. Many a flyer has the roll build up in the birds and upon release they will bump on occassions this is not considered a cull if it roll build up but if the birds consistantly slams itself upon release than you can be assured that this is a bird for the round file. Exiting the loft at release and bumping is to me for more of a cull than that of a bird that comes in to land and bumps if you were to compare the two however both if consitantly displayed are culls no matter how much you try to compromise you will only raise much of the same. Oh by the way on your original question asked about rolling and hitting the pond. I figure if I get enough of them say a kit of 20 hitting the pond at the same time than I could at least jump in and enjoy a 4 second jaguzzi LOL!
Ivan
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Santandercol
826 posts
Mar 03, 2007
7:06 AM
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Ivan,
WOW,looks nice!
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Kelly
Last Edited by on Mar 03, 2007 10:07 PM
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Ballrollers
688 posts
Mar 03, 2007
7:47 AM
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List,
Ivan's set-up is even more impressive when you see it live. It's something most of us might dream about having! LOL! The Hawaiian cook-out Ivan and Kani prepared for all of us at the convention in Portland, last year was one of the highlights of our trip. Visiting the lofts and seeing the birds of our friends in the sport is an important part of the learning process in this sport, as I believe Ivan will agree. I just want to put in a plug for all who can attend this year's convention in NOrth Carolina. Expand your horizons! Overcome loft blindness! Meet some great men in the sport! You will not regret it, I promise!!
YITS,
Cliff
Oh, one thing I have been meaning to ask you Ivan. What is the purpose of the picket fencing around the roof of your loft? Predator deterrent? Are you not concerned that a youngster who hasn't learned to land very well might impail himself?! LOL!
Cliff
Last Edited by on Mar 03, 2007 7:50 AM
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Gregg
35 posts
Mar 03, 2007
8:05 AM
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Ivan,
You and BMC both live in mild climates. But the necessity for ventilation needs to be optimized. When I built my new loft in 1998 I built it way too well and way too tight. I have had to add ventilation and an exhaust fan. I mounted all of the interior kit and holding pen walls with metal brackets inorder to keep one and a half inches of open space over the top and the back of the walls. I have kept the lower ends wide open with the wire floors and the removable trays on casters. End result is that all of the feathers and bloom ends up in the hallway where it is easily swept up and disposed of.
It was still too tight though and the fan was added. Huge help. Have another fan that will go in this year on the gabled end. My loft is, due to construction and materials, vermin free. I would be reluctant to make any changes that allowed vermin access. The problems I had in the early 2000's were due to the feed that I was using had a great reputation. Unbeknownst to us, they outsourced the cleaning and mixing to a company that had rodent problems and as a result, I ended up with a continuing paratyphoid problem. Did not realize it until I found the mummified remains of a doe mouse and her nest of youngsters in a feed bag. The other problem would be blowing snow that would pile up and eventually melt creating even more problems. As important as ventilation is, a dry loft is even more important.
But I will tell you that your koi pond is something that my wife envies. During our trip to the Carolinas this past spring we stayed with Cliff and Chuck Ball. The place has a couple of nice ponds with a gazebo built out over the water. They had white and black swans also. I didn't think Virginia was going to come home with me.
Gregg.
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Flyin Hawaiian
64 posts
Mar 03, 2007
8:10 AM
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Hey Cliff,
Its to round em up and head em in the loft LOL! It is a pred detterent and it keeps them in eyes view at all times pushing them to the front of the loft proper. Hey cliff the wife and I have made the reservations to the convention so you can count us in on the fun. Looking forward to seeing ya and the rest of the boyz and meeting Clay Hoyle. Gonna be a good time. If thiers anything I can do to help let me know.
Ivan
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Flyin Hawaiian
65 posts
Mar 03, 2007
8:19 AM
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Gregg,
Here's a black swan for ya. Cliff lets see a few pics of that koi pond you've been holdin out of me LOL!
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Flyin Hawaiian
66 posts
Mar 03, 2007
8:22 AM
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Here'sa shot of some beautiful Love birds with some outstanding markings. A local from the islands. Hey braddah Todd this is at Donalds place in Kaneohe.
Mahalo
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MILO
225 posts
Mar 03, 2007
8:38 AM
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Nice Ivan.
I'm just flat out jealous.
c
ps: have your wife call mine, she needs to know I'm not crazy...LOL
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Flyin Hawaiian
67 posts
Mar 03, 2007
9:43 AM
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Gregg,
Thanks bro here's cliff Balls lake not pond where's the water ski jump LOL! Very nice Cliff is it spring fed?
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classicpony
125 posts
Mar 03, 2007
12:35 PM
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WOW is that nice or is that nice?? I sure wish the birdhouse looked like that. Makes my place look like a crackerbox.
Jim
@thecrackerbox birdhouse :)
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Ballrollers
689 posts
Mar 03, 2007
5:19 PM
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Jim (Classic),
Yeah I've been tempted to put chickenwire around it and turn it into a loft!! That's my brother, Chuck, sitting on the left, Gregg Sale on the right and I'm flippin' burgers. Gregg, do you have the shot of the black swan in the lake? He needs a mate Ivan! LOL! I'm sure glad you're going to make it Ivan. I'm counting on you to lead a table discussion, too, bro! And I'm planning on you being there, too Gregg. I'm giving you 4-5 months to get that bod healed up, buddy! We are planning to put up a huge tent next to the lake for the birds shows, raffles and auctions at the convention. I think the seats at the gazebo will be at a premium!
YITS,
Cliff
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Flyin Hawaiian
68 posts
Mar 03, 2007
6:31 PM
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Here You go cliff
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Frankie
132 posts
Mar 03, 2007
7:16 PM
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Cliff nice set up I have always wanted a big pond with lots of fish in it. Surely that is not just your koi pond is it? Frankie
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rollerman132
80 posts
Mar 03, 2007
7:33 PM
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Nice looking loft ,have any pics of the inside?
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Ballrollers
690 posts
Mar 03, 2007
8:39 PM
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Bass and blue gill, Frankie. I've been thinking about the koi, though! Yeah, that's the one Ivan!Thanks!
Cliff
Last Edited by on Mar 03, 2007 8:39 PM
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Frankie
133 posts
Mar 03, 2007
9:58 PM
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Cliff, The water sure looks clear enough. You shouldn't have any problem seeing the koi if you decide to put some in. But I bet the bass would eat them. You might get away by putting some big koi in there maybe 15 to 20 inches. I bet they would grow fast. I have a small koi pond about 15 koi in it from 5 to 12 inches about half of them are butterfly koi. I love butterfly koi their fins and tails are so long. Later, Frankie
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