Oldfart
99 posts
Aug 09, 2007
2:58 PM
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Hey All, Being that I'm a retired oldfart I seem to have a little extra time to spend on my birds. I work mind you but I have the odd moment. I tend to hand train my birds, almost to the point of being pets. My question is this, all the hand contact seems to make loft management easy. My birds never flinch when I reach for them, they never try to avoid my hand. I start when they are in the nest and handle each bird at least twice every day. Will this much contact affect the roll factor? Can they be over handled? As always, thanks in advance!
Thom
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city-side-lofts
64 posts
Aug 09, 2007
3:51 PM
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Thom it wont affect any factor except your birds are more easy to handle i do the same thing so my birds are easier to handle for me and others and when i show my birds to others and they want to hold them i let people hold some of my most trusted birds cause i hand feed most of my birds when they are older and i work with them a bunch
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The man in black
city-side-lofts.piczo.com
Ben the bird man of Idaho
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Santandercol
1318 posts
Aug 09, 2007
4:30 PM
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Thom,
I love it when the kitbirds fly in past me when I'm standing in the doorway with my hand full of feed over the feeding tray.I start handling them regularly when they about 2 weeks old.Keep up the good work!!
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Kelly
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nicksiders
2042 posts
Aug 11, 2007
1:02 AM
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Thom,
If you're getting the performance that you want, then you have answered your own question. If they get out of the box when the door is open; I don't want birds so tame that they have to be chased up and out of the box.
I know guys who have very calm birds that do it right. I would not change the ways that I handled them if I were you. You got to enjoy them on your terms.
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Nick
Last Edited by on Aug 11, 2007 9:51 AM
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motherlodelofts
1920 posts
Aug 11, 2007
9:47 AM
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Mine get pretty tame as my hands are allways in the kit box by making sure the feed stays evenly distributed and handling birds.
The only time a bird becomes a real pain is when I pull it out to feed it up on a regular basis (baby) every time the kitbox door is open they want to get to the show cages behind me knowing thats they will find some tidbits.
Scott
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Oldfart
101 posts
Aug 11, 2007
3:02 PM
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Hey All, I'm just starting back after a long absence from rollers. I have six young birds in the kit-box, and four in the nest. All are RUBYS. Most are from one pair. It has taken me a little longer to get my kit-box built then I thought it would. I have most of the young trap trained, and
launging around on top of the kitbox. I am about ready to remove the tape and let them forage for themselves. Now back to the original post. I try to handle each and every bird at least twice each day, granted my loft is small at this time. I just simply think that the more you handle your birds the easier it is to manage them. I was courious if anyone thought so much hands-on contact might inhibit the roll. Thanks to all that responded, I'm re-learning every day!
Thanks. Thom
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Santandercol
1329 posts
Aug 11, 2007
3:51 PM
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Thom,
Don't let those kitbirds forage outside.If they are 5 weeks or older you want them flying and trapping in quick as soon as they land.Hungry like.No lollygagging on the roof.They are targets when the Coopers hawks show up again.If they land on the ground,gently shoo them up till they land on the kitbox and trap in.
Soooo,can you post a photo of your kitbox??
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Kelly
Last Edited by on Aug 11, 2007 3:52 PM
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Oldfart
102 posts
Aug 11, 2007
5:04 PM
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Hey Kelly, I did not mean I would let them out on their own to find feed. A bad choice of words! My meaning was, take the tape off of their wings and let them start taking short, supervised flights around the kitbox. The reason for the tape was to settle them to the kitbox. I am getting some out later then I would have liked. I'm rather proud of my kitbox, so yes, photos, when the paint is finished.
Thom
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Santandercol
1332 posts
Aug 11, 2007
6:09 PM
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Yeah,take care of them Rubies.Soon as ya see a bop lockdown.
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Kelly
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