elopez
1035 posts
Apr 14, 2008
10:25 PM
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I've been thinking of switching to individuals for breeding versus the open loft that I have now.
Could I switch now that my breeders are on young or eggs? Or should I just wait and break them all up then put them back on the individuals. I really don't want to waste time breaking them up but if that's what I have to do then be it.
For those who have the breeding pens like the ones Tony sells could you give me some feedback on them. Are the big enough, overall how are they?
Also, any feedback on the automatic water system would be helpful.
One thing that I remember about individuals was the pain of feeding and watering each breeding pen so this is one of my negatives so this is why I think the water system could help out on this. Please let me know what feedback you all may have.
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Efren Lopez
SGVS
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rollsoffury
35 posts
Apr 14, 2008
10:42 PM
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Hey Efren
I'm also going to try individual, But only with certain birds to keep the work down.
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Roll it
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Alohabirds
140 posts
Apr 14, 2008
10:48 PM
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Aloha Efren,
When I switched to my new individuals, I waited till the squeeks hatched before I made the move. I didn't want to take the chance of getting scrambled eggs.
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Aloha, Dexter
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PR_rollers
894 posts
Apr 14, 2008
10:48 PM
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hey Efren buddy ,I wouldn't mess with them while they on eggs.I had one pair on eggs one time and they were on a small cage i had outside and when it rain hard they got wet so I move them to a place more safer where they won't get wet and they wouldn't sit on the eggs.when i put them back to the old place they were then they would sit on the eggs.so i had to leave them there and just cover the cage with a plastic cover until they hatch.then i move them with the babies and all...so i be careful and maybe wait if they already on eggs..
...peace..
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Ralph....
Last Edited by on Apr 14, 2008 10:50 PM
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elopez
1041 posts
Apr 14, 2008
10:49 PM
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That's what I'm thinking as well Dexter. Did you have any issues with them feeding the young?
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Efren Lopez
SGVS
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elopez
1042 posts
Apr 14, 2008
10:50 PM
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Thanks Ralph. How long after they hatched did you wait?
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Efren Lopez
SGVS
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Alohabirds
142 posts
Apr 14, 2008
11:09 PM
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Efren,
I had no problems with the birds in the new pens. I waited till the squeeks were about 5 days old.
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Aloha, Dexter
Last Edited by on Apr 14, 2008 11:10 PM
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PR_rollers
897 posts
Apr 14, 2008
11:33 PM
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The minute they hatch i move them...once the babies were born there instinct kicks in to feed them..just keep an eye on them .I like to know also if the breeding cages Tony has are big enough too .thinking of getting me one myself..the one on top to the left blue ones.
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Ralph....
Last Edited by on Apr 14, 2008 11:36 PM
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rollsoffury
37 posts
Apr 15, 2008
12:38 AM
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I think the breeding pen tony is offering would work better if it hold four pairs instead of eight. That will give them the room they need for the second round.
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Roll it
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elopez
1043 posts
Apr 15, 2008
12:54 AM
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I've seen them with a second floor added just for the bowl. It seemed to work out fine that way.
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Efren Lopez
SGVS
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rollsoffury
40 posts
Apr 15, 2008
1:09 AM
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Yeah Efren your right that would work. If you add a second bowl that may be all they need.
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Roll it
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DeepSpinLofts
595 posts
Apr 15, 2008
3:10 AM
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I was thinking about ordering me one of those Crown 8 compartment breeding pens from Tony. I currently have my breeders in individual breeding pens that I constructed myself.
Rollsoffury makes an interesting point that I hadn't really thought about until now.
====> "I think the breeding pen tony is offering would work better if it hold four pairs instead of eight. That will give them the room they need for the second round."
Hmm.... interesting.
{P.S.} I'm still seriously thinking about purchasing one of those Crown 8 compartment breeding pens.
Marcus
Deep Spin Lofts
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Santandercol
2306 posts
Apr 15, 2008
6:37 AM
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One thing about individuals like Tony has or even home builts is to get them off the ground so you can reach in to the lower ones without getting down on your hands and knees.First year mine were on the floor and what a pain.Now I have them all on a table about 2 feet high,good place for the squeaks to hide when I put them on the floor at 2 weeks.
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Kel.
Rum-30 Lofts
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quickspin
504 posts
Apr 15, 2008
10:04 AM
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Efren, one your loft you can make in semi Individual with open loft that is even better. You might just need a little more space that you have right now. You just wait in till they laid there egg before letting them free in the loft. This will make it easier to feed and to give them water. It takes me a long time to clean,feed,water to all my birds in individual.
The good thing is that they get to breed right a way in individual and no waisted time also all the concentration in on the baby's. When you want to break up a pair for a new mate takes no more than 1 week for the new one to pair up.
You can see Robert in your club how he has his setup. He uses Crown Breeding Pen.
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SALAS LOFT
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COYOTE33
100 posts
Apr 15, 2008
10:48 AM
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Why dont you go with a combination of both, some open and some individual.some pairs do great in open were as some do bad in individuals. it you have the room go with a combo.
coyote
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George R.
500 posts
Apr 15, 2008
11:33 AM
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COYOTE hows the Champ doing ??? I will send you his paper work ASAP.
George
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flo
66 posts
Apr 15, 2008
11:58 AM
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Hey E,
I posted a question like this a while back but for me it was the opposite. My breeders were in an individual breeding cage then i wanted to move them to individual breeding boxes I just built. Well, I wen through the whole delimma and this is my result.
I waited until the babies were a little bigger right after banding them. This way (my idea) if they were to be left alone not sitting on, at least they would have some feathers to keep them warm. When I swapt the babies and breeders to a different box, the parents took a whole day and night until they felt comfortable to comfort their babies again. Onec you put them in there, they will jump around hanging on anything just trying to get out but just ignore them, give them feed and water constantly as they will tend to knock the feeders out flying around. No less then 2 days, they will be in a comfort zone. They will still feed they youngs one they settle in. Just be sure to put extra nest bowls as they might start to lay again.
Pro's and Cons for the cage.
Pros-
For me personnally, I prefer the feeders that are in cages for the water because (my theory)those feeders are just enough for refills 2-3 times a day so they are always getting fresh water. I love those bullet drinkers but after awgile, funguss and algae builds up and it's harder to clean the small areas. Also, they are light weight, and the cleaning is great and the birds get a lot of vents.
Cons-
I think Security is the biggest issue fo me. If you are to put them in a Loft and then lock it up, it would be fine but if left alone outside, anyone can just pick them up and leave.
All and all, I think you can't go wrong with them.
I forgot, do not switch birds with eggs, they will abndom them.
I hope this helps and this is just my experience and opinion.
flo
www.blacked-out-loft.webs.com
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Oldfart
599 posts
Apr 15, 2008
2:06 PM
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Hey all, I switched to the Crown Breeding Cage System this year. I found them a little small at first but it was more a question of management then size. I did have a problem with the food being wasted using the small containers provided with the system. I found that the water and grit containers were o.k. but that the feed was inadequate. I searched for a proper size container and found that the 96 oz size of Minute Maid O.J. exactly fits the space. I cut two opposing two inch holes in the container at the height of the lower support bar. This allows the birds to dig and flip the food but cuts down on waste dramatically! I also am in the process of making mess shields from cardboard covered with Press and Seal plastic wrap to prevent the frame and hard to clean places from becoming unmanageable.
I added some cut wire covered with white plastic to make a door holder, that locks the doors open. My breeder cages are in an open enviornment so I allow my breeders access to this space on an individual basis (One pair at a time). I also use newspaper in the trays and clean them daily! Thats about all I can think of, except that I like the system. As a foot note, I divided my cages and raised them it a stack of two to the three foot height. I felt that the air in my loft was too cold at floor level and truth is my back and knees would not take getting down to the lower levels! ;-(
Thom
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Windjammer Loft
270 posts
Apr 15, 2008
2:32 PM
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Hey E....I use the individual pens from Tony and I also built some myself. Take a look at this pic and you can see how I did mine. I split them, I have two sections on each side of my breeding room, which are 3ft from the floor. I also put alittle landing board in front of each door. After the eggs hatch, I open the doors so the parents have access to the rest of the loft for feeding, drinking and alittle exercise.
These are the ones that I built myself:
This is the end pic:
Hope this gives you alittle insight on how to do YOUR pens.
Fly High and Roll On
Paul
Last Edited by on Apr 15, 2008 2:51 PM
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spanky
430 posts
Apr 15, 2008
8:09 PM
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WAS UP DOG YOU KNOW WHAT I LIKE INDIVIDUALS PEN'S
SPANKY
SGVS
Last Edited by on Apr 15, 2008 8:11 PM
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spanky
431 posts
Apr 15, 2008
8:12 PM
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SORRY TONY. HEY GUY'S HOW CAN I MAKE THE PIX SMALLER, THANX.
SPANKY
SGVS
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gabe454
722 posts
Apr 15, 2008
9:13 PM
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Spanky the pics are fine hommie like your individuals nice.ill be waiting for my smith pair you promised me.
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454
TRIPLE "G" LOFT
L.P.R.C
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COYOTE33
101 posts
Apr 16, 2008
5:50 AM
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hey!georgeR the champ is doing ok, waiting on those ped!
coyote
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elopez
1047 posts
Apr 16, 2008
9:37 AM
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Thanks Guys for the replys and pics. I will be going individual with the auto water system. Hopefully it all works out for me.
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Efren Lopez
SGVS
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