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The Original All Roller Talk Discussion Board Archive >
Starting out a newbie
Starting out a newbie
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Flyin Hawaiian
159 posts
Apr 20, 2007
4:43 PM
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Hey guys,
Thought I would address you with a question on starting a newbie out. What would your suggestions be as to what kind of birds you would start him or her out with?? Would it be your mediocre birds to get thier feet wet and see how they do? Or would you offer them the finest you have that you have been breeding towards for many years?? Do you charge them an honest price for your endeavors or do you give them some less than worthy birds to see if they can hang in there and still show interest?
I believe that one must make as assessment as to how interested the individual is by either attending a local club fly! By asking questions pertinent to the flying aspect of the sport! One that doesn't settle for just what he or she see's but rather makes thier own decision based upon other kits they have viewed and gleans information from other fanciers who also have the same interest.
I have seen and witnessed many come and go just like the sunshine here in the state of Oregon LOL. To often when a newbie views a well managed kit and see's the results right before thier very eye's they figure all they need is your stock and a basic idea and knowledge as to how much feed and what kind of feed to feed them to get those very same results. WRONG!!! It doesn't work that way as many of you veterans know. Because there is so many other variables that one may do that goes without saying. So try as they may they fail to get the same results. So what you say, they then loose interest and you end up with the black eye because they will curse your birds and say you didn't offer them the right stock from the get go. This is reality and for those of you that know can attest to what I have said here. To much information and not enough hands on experience spells disaster and loss!!! ROME wasn't built in a day. To often the newbie expects to get the same results instantaneously. Time and perseaverance will always be the staple to accomplishing the goal. Be careful when you start a newbie and allow them to make thier own final decisions. Give me some feedback on how you introduce a newbie to the sport? Just my thoughts.
Aloha Ivan
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hardtimekenl2
51 posts
Apr 20, 2007
5:28 PM
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well i am a new to this thing myself i seen the birds fly at the mens home.i did no have the money to buy the trained rollers so i got some young one like two months old that had never been out of the loft.i am flying them right know boy .i love thes birds on the in side .it is a hard hobby some time .well one thing is for shour (((thay better love the birds in the loft first with all there hart or thay will on make it long.!!!!!!!!)))))
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luis
277 posts
Apr 20, 2007
6:40 PM
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Ivan unfortunately this is a dying hobby and in my personal opinion we have to give the best of our birds and ourselves to try and make it grow and hope that they stick with it.Certainly we can try and make an assesment of the individual so that we can ascertain if they are serious or not.I've seen all kinds of crap in this hobby and can say the newcomer also has to be careful where they go!
Last Edited by on Apr 20, 2007 6:41 PM
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Double D
332 posts
Apr 20, 2007
9:25 PM
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I believe the best a newbie can hope for initially is to get the gene pool from a top fancier/family of birds. I don't think there's anything wrong with giving a newbie your less-than-excellent birds to see how long they will stick with them.
What is important is that the oldie give the newbie the truth up front about how difficult the process is going to be and then see if they're still interested in the birds. If they say yes, at least they go into it with their eyes open to what it's going to take.
I think there's a fine line between discouraging a newbie and being honest with them so that they know what to expect. Then, as the experienced fancier, you have to be there for the newbie to help them along the way.
In the name of fair disclosure, I got my start from Ivan. He was honest about what he was selling me. I felt the birds were fairly priced and I was excited to have them. I had done quite a bit of research and new I wouldn't be able to equal Ivan's accomplishments just by having his family of birds but felt I would definitely be much closer than if I started with a lesser family. Ivan has always been there for me to call or write anytime I've needed to. Then this year, when Ivan had some proven breeders he was willing to let go, he gave me first shot at them. Once again, he didn't give them away to me and I was more than willing to pay good money for them. I think newbies value something more when they have to make an investment to get the good stuff.
As someone who considers himself a newbie even after a year and half, I don't think newbies should be given anything. We should have to pay our dues both in money and time invested in birds and in learning and growing. Is this a deterent? Sure, but if that keeps the newbie from getting involved, they probably wouldn't have stuck with it anyway.
There's many great guys in this hobby like Ivan, Paul Fullerton, Scott Campbell, Ken Billings, etc. that are more than willing to help someone who they can see is serious about the hobby. That's the way it should be. Newbies have no right to expect for nothing what someone else has spent a life time building.
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Darin Olson
Checkerboard Lofts
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spinner jim
87 posts
Apr 21, 2007
8:20 AM
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Reading some of the posts i sincerely hope this hobby is not dying,i think we have to promote this hobby as much as we can for survivals sake,it would be a good promotion if we had some interest from the media now and again ,just one five minute slot on tv would do wonders for us ,there are people out there who would take up the hobby if they knew we were here im sure,but its letting the world know that this great sport and pastime exists,i try to do my bit,i started off three new comers last year ,two of them were over a hundred miles away from gloucester,another bloke i gave sixteen birds to free of charge only to find out he later sold them on,but i would rather give birds away free if it contributes to a healthy number of people taking up the hobby,( am i making sence or just jabbering lol) years ago the local kids would notice your birds flying and show interest,but now with computers they dont come out of the house ??, i have this dream to make a portable trailer loft and tour fetes to show people our great hobby but you can bet as soon as you get to let the kit out ,our enemy the bop would show up and spoil the whole thing,(jabbering jim )uk.
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Shaun
475 posts
Apr 21, 2007
10:15 AM
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Jim, I think your points are valid. Many of us roller guys are middle aged and beyond, often from humble backgrounds. As youngsters, we often pursued simple pleasures and many of them were outdoors, irrespective of the weather. We had to learn life-skills over many years, and I think this better prepares us for the ups and downs of keeping rollers. Conversely, the younger generation has the attention span of a gnat and expects instant gratification in everything. A hobby which presents as many difficulties as roller flying, is likely to be quickly rejected in favour of the easier indoor pursuits.
Anyone optimistic about the future of rollers?
Shaun
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squeeker
24 posts
Apr 21, 2007
3:38 PM
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OK, Here I go. I was lucky enough to stumble onto Brent Martindales phone # among the NBRC club list. He was the only one out of 4 or 5 phone calls I made that took the time to return my call. After a 15 minute phone call, I was invited to see his set-up. Now visting Boise for any reason is a $100 dollar investment in gas. Add to that, a 6 hour drive in the car with a 4 yr old. This should be listed as a form of inhumane torture. Brent was very upfront about what birds he was giving me and which were just a loan. He said so much about each bird that I'm sure 80% of it went in one ear and out the other. He warned me that my loaners were from his best stock but hadn't shown the goods in the air. Consequently, I was to expect a mediocre percentage of very good rollers from them. It was up to me to breed these birds and cull the loosers. The others were of good parentage, from his kit, and the rest is a blur. These "free" birds cost me almost $150 dollars after lunch, dinner, gas and a video to play in the car for the ride home. There is a certain price we pay for having to listen to Dora the Explorer several times in a row. I am grateful for what I got and felt a certain amount of responsibility to succeed. There is so much a newbie needs to learn depending on their level of experience. Giving a "greenhorn" your best may lead you and them to a disappointing end. Only give or sell what you can afford to let go down the road and never see again. That way you won't be dissapointed. Giving birds should be done on a case by case basis. You could always give them a few and make them prove they can at least keep them alive for 6 months. If they are still interested in improving their stock, they will have a pair or two of fosters ready to sit on good eggs. Patience is required in this sport and this would be one way to "cull" the weaker hearted newbies. We cull for the best birds. The weakest breeders cull themselves. Now, I have to finish because my 4 yr old wants to watch a video....YITS
Janene
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Alohazona
270 posts
Apr 21, 2007
6:04 PM
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I like newbies to start out with a 10 bird kit.Backing up on that,they have to be worthy to get that 10 bird kit to begin with.Things like character,built kitboxes,willingness to pay fair market value,etc.I do not sell breeders or let them pick from the air.I am more than willing to fly kits to represent the quality.The only reasons for even selling in the first place is keeping the hobby solid as a whole and guys can actully see birds perform,and a little pocket money to keep my lofts equipped properly.
I have 2 guys I sell birds to,of probably 15 guys a year who would like to buy.
The 10 bird kit gives them a chance to start flying right away off of some great stock they would be hard pressed to get.If some losses occur I help them replenish.I'm not in rollers for the money,one of my racing homers can fetch a price that would take me a whole year of selling rollers.Also the breeding pair or two attained from the kit will be homed to the loft,which is a plus.I have no problem telling someone that they are not ready for rollers from myself or anyone for that matter,if a red flag pops up.Like I said I'm not in it for the money,this is a performance breed,not a novelty....Aloha,Todd
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