Newflyer
136 posts
Aug 19, 2007
10:19 AM
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I often wonder is it necessary to keep your rollers in the kitbox enclosed with not much natural light, or to have a settling cage attached so they can go in and out whenever they want to. Does it make a difference in their
preformance or not?
Paul
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MCCORMICKLOFTS
1517 posts
Aug 19, 2007
10:37 AM
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It won't make much of any difference at all for regular flying. But when it comes to prepping for a competition, the darkened box helps to stimulate them for fly day. My kit boxes get light from both the front exterior doors and the interior doors. Its full light in my boxes. No complaint about the performance.
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Gregg
164 posts
Aug 19, 2007
10:48 AM
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Paul,
The old timers always maintained that the birds rolled due to stimulation of their nervous system. The eye expression of our rollers has been a misunderstood subject for years, and I'm not too sure that I could explain it better than has already been done. But the correlation that I see is that the most responsive part of the body is the eye. Whether it be human or animal, it gives us input that helps us react to almost everything surrounding us. So it does stand to reason that the lack of light would impair/subdue the affect of the eye on the nervous system until the bird is released out of the dark and into the full light. That could very possibly produce some additional nervous impulse to perform. The question then becomes for how long? The bird and it's eye will quickly respond to the incoming sunlight to the retina, causing the pupil to contract and allowing the bird to see and thus navigate. I am not sure that allowing the birds some sunlight is detrimental in any way but it will make your birds more active in their kit pen and I'm not so sure that I would want that. I do not give my birds access to sunlight unless they are flying in same. I will be rather interested in other's observations on this subject.
Gregg.
Last Edited by on Aug 19, 2007 10:49 AM
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Shaun
533 posts
Aug 19, 2007
11:02 AM
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My own observations with my birds are based on a forced lockdown last winter, due to hawks. Coupled with this period of confinement was a complete lack of sunshine for days on end. When the kit was released after about a week of overcast skies, it was very bright outside. Within seconds, as the birds tried to elevate, a number of them had control difficulties, rolling too low and bumping off the loft and trees. One hit the ground and injured itself.
Clearly, my birds had difficulty adjusting to the sudden light change, so I'm not a fan of darkened kitboxes.
Shaun
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nicksiders
2084 posts
Aug 19, 2007
12:41 PM
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Paul,
Interesting question. I have found that the Roller will perform better in a group. If the group is too large it will adversly affect the performance and being too small will do the same. To let them come and go at will you may not be able to get the performance you like because they will be flying basically solo. Having them in a darkened environment may not be necessary.
You have to decide what you are looking for in the hobby and go with it. How much performance do you want; do you want to compete are the questions you have to answer for yourself.
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Nick
Last Edited by on Aug 19, 2007 12:41 PM
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classicpony
325 posts
Aug 19, 2007
1:48 PM
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Well then does the pupil of the eye get larger... is it when the bird rolls?
It is the same size as being in the dark when it rolls?
Does anyone use eye signs on when buying rollers?
Jim
@thebirdhouse
Last Edited by on Aug 19, 2007 2:41 PM
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tapp
284 posts
Aug 19, 2007
4:31 PM
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I like my kit boxes semi dark. I don't have any problems with them pairing up.If I were to lock them up for extended amout of time I would let them have a sun pen. And split up cocks and hens. I also open the landing board and letting light in for a few seconds before letting them out.Works good for me.----------
Tapp
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Alan Bliven
365 posts
Aug 20, 2007
7:54 AM
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I have always given my kit birds a lot of sunshine.
IMHO Pigeons need a lot sunshine to sustain a healthy life. Look at how much sunshine wild Pigeons get.
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Alan
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Newflyer
137 posts
Aug 21, 2007
2:43 PM
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I want to thank each and everyone of you for your very interesting answers. Much of which, I was not aware of. But, my biggest concern was a health issue. Birds need natural sunlight for many health reasons. Once again Alan...you hit the nail right on the head... again you came thru for me. Now I need to figure out just what I want out of my birds. Thanks again for all your much needed info. I'll have to experiment more with all your advise to see what will really suite me and my birds the best.
Paul
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