Electric-man
749 posts
Oct 29, 2007
6:42 PM
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I let my young kit fly with my second kit(my Urbans) this evening for training purposes, as I have done several times before! They were ripping up the sky, never been prouder of them!
Upon landing, I looked away for a minute to feed my breeders and heard them panic and go back up! Didn't see a hawk, just about 1/2 a dozen starlings bust threw them! but they went behind the trees about the same time so I'm not sure! Anyways, about 30 min. before dark, I could see about 25 out of 35 of them flying way off to the SE! Well, they didn't come home!
I sure I will get most of them back tomorrow, but I'm betting, some of the young ones don't make it home! There were some nice young Urbans and my first round of Higgins were in there!
Never a dull minute in this hobby!!!
Maybe next yearI'll raise 200 so I can have a full kit left over!LOL
Val
"Site Moderator"
Last Edited by on Oct 29, 2007 6:45 PM
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PR_rollers
48 posts
Oct 29, 2007
6:49 PM
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Sorry to hear that Val, as soon as they land get them all in .thats the habit i instill in them from start .but i'm sure they all be there tomorrow just be on the look out. just fly the older one so the young one can see from far...Good luck..
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Ralph....
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W@yne
706 posts
Oct 29, 2007
11:14 PM
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Sorry to hear that Val hope you get um all back.
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Regards
W@yne UK
Patience Perseverance Perfection
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C.J.
1622 posts
Oct 30, 2007
4:15 AM
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I feel for ya. Hopefully some come back.
C.J.
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Gregg
213 posts
Oct 30, 2007
5:29 AM
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Val,
Hope your reading this early before you go out. Put up a kit of older birds if you have them. Ralph hit it on the button. I've learned over the years that I can't entice young birds into coming home when they are out of sight. But some older hens that are good flyers, hawk savy, etc. are great for retrieving young birds. I keep an older kit ready to fly when I'm settling young birds. If I've already flown the older kit, all they get is some milo until the young birds are down and in. Try to keep young birds hungry to the point that they want to trap as soon as they land. Especially if you fly in the late afternoon, then control is crucial.
Now go put up them older birds, should help the young figure out where they belong.
Gregg.
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Electric-man
754 posts
Oct 30, 2007
5:58 AM
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Fed my oldest kit 1/2 cup of milo first thing thim morning, fixin to send half of them up! Hopefully get a good hr a piece flying time from each halves! About all I know to do!
And pray!!!!
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Val
"Site Moderator"
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Electric-man
756 posts
Oct 30, 2007
10:19 AM
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Sent 8 scouts out, 6 returned with 14 youngsters and enough coopers to keep them up from 8 a.m. to 11:45. The 6 scouts made it in but only 9 youngsters so far and havent seen anymore swoop by for awhile! Looks like I took a big hit on the Urbans! All 7 blacks are gone and a rec red is missing.I saw her get hit and taken to the ground, but the neighbors cat broke it up! Saw the red heading west,low and fast! Missing some Turners and a few crosses still also! Both my Higgins made it back! Still missing about 20 birds all together!
I was gonna fly the other half of my oldest kit about 4 p.m. and see if I can pick up a few more strays, but I'm not sure its worth it! Might just lick my wounds and lockup for awhile!
Pardon my french guys, but DAMN!
Val
"Site Moderator"
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bman
477 posts
Oct 30, 2007
11:45 AM
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Val,sorry to hear that.Tough call on sending out more.
Thats the reason I keep a small bunch of homers for recovery duty,no cooper can catch them on the wing,they don't get lost so they can haul in the waywards souls.
Keep a sharp eye around sunset for stagglers.Good luck
Ron
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Ron
Borderline lofts
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Velo99
1372 posts
Oct 30, 2007
5:58 PM
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I lost 8 a few days back. 12 came home over 3 days, of course the ones I was hoping would didn`t though.
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V99
Flippin`The Bird!
http://www.bluedotloft.50megs.com
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Electric-man
758 posts
Oct 30, 2007
8:00 PM
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I went ahead and sent the other half of my older kit up and they brought in 7 or 8 more! I will take a final head count in the morning! Surely a few more will stray in! All of my youngest group are back, its my middle kit that is mia! Mu rec red Urban made it and one of my black urban hens! If I would get the other 6 of them back,I would be satisfied!
I won't be flying more than 6 or 8 at a time for the rest of the winter, case this crap happens again! Funny thing is, they were twice as active in these small groups as they are in bigger ones!
Only tells me one thing, birds are good, its the manager that sucks! LOL
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Val
"Site Moderator"
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classicpony
506 posts
Oct 31, 2007
6:35 PM
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Sorry to hear your troubles. Sounds like your slowly getting a few back. Them coopers sure can be fast taking a bird right out of the air. I'm on lock down here because of them now.
Jim
Illinois
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