Oldfart
782 posts
Aug 08, 2008
4:43 PM
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Hey All, In the morning I fly the young birds and holdover hens, then after they trap, I fly the holdover cocks. I dance around a small plum tree trying to avoid the sun. After supper, I repeat the pattern with one exception. The sun is behind me now and I can watch them from my garden bench. My property is shaped in a manner that creates an updraft that flows directly in front of this bench and slightly forward of my posistion. The birds have learned to use this wind, they will buck up against it and almost hover just before they break. My vantage point is perfect! They hover just long enough that I can pick out an individual bird and watch it through the break. Tonight, I wanted to see one bird in particular, a blue bar self, (one of this years young cocks that was a little to randy for the hens side of the kitbox). One thirty footer, hard and fast, with attitude not his only roll but his best on this night. Coming out of the roll he just popped his wings jerking up and with a shake of his tail to say, "did you see that"! This hobby is just simply the best! I risk repetition, but! ;) "Ain't it Grand!"
Thom
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sundance
727 posts
Aug 08, 2008
6:24 PM
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Thom, you`re so right about the thrill of watching a youngster just coming on and realizing that this bird might be your star of the year.
But I bet your neighbors watching you dance around that Plum tree...priceless.LOL
Hey glad to hear you got a young one doing that well. really. I got a few doing ok, but no real standouts yet. But you can bet if I get one spinning like that, and if I had a plum tree, I`d be dancing around it too.. Have a good night Thom. Thanks for the good read.
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Butch @
Sundance Roller Lofts
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tapp
628 posts
Aug 08, 2008
7:25 PM
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Thom I liked your post. Thats what it's all about, I got a late start on breeding. I'm not seeing the good stuff yet, But it's a comming> Kim Tapp
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PR_rollers
1488 posts
Aug 08, 2008
7:37 PM
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Thom good to hear you having a good time thats what is all about. we are happy and we will live longer that for sure.
I can't wait till next breeding season after all the evaluation of my young birds i bought I will pair up breed and train youngsters.. by the way which was the one who did the 30 foot,,was it a Ruby?
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Ralph
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Electric-man
1919 posts
Aug 08, 2008
7:42 PM
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Good story Thom! I haven't flown in 4 days now since the shark attack! I can't stand it, gonna let them out tommorrow! The weather has broke a bit and we have had a perfect breeze of about 15 mph for two days!Barely got into the 90s today. Unreal for August here! Hope it hold out through the weekend! My day just isn't complete without flying my birds!
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Val
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Oldfart
783 posts
Aug 09, 2008
5:17 AM
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Hey All,
Butch, my neighbors think I'm crazy anyway! ;) I have great neighbors, they bring their grandchildren over to pet the young birds. I love it!
Ralph, Yes it's a Ruby, all I have are Ruby's. This is one of my first young birds this year and he is doing great! He did not just start rolling but has progressed nicely and has made a good kit bird. Time will tell but he looks nice so far.
Val, I have to make myself rest them! I fly the young birds twice a day and the old birds once if its hot, twice if cool. My biggest problem is wind, it gets intense sometimes. Good luck with your fly, test the air with a few.
Kim, I had a late start last year and then had to lock down never really getting to fly that years young birds properly. So I'm enjoying this year a lot! Hang in there, yours will come along.
Thom
Last Edited by on Aug 09, 2008 8:55 AM
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gotspin7
1670 posts
Aug 09, 2008
10:03 AM
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Thom, that it is what this is all about!! Great Post..
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Sal Ortiz
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Oldfart
785 posts
Aug 09, 2008
11:40 AM
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Sal, I guess I'm recapturing my youth! Getting back into rollers is the next best thing I've ever done! My wife and children are the best! My hope is that everyone enjoys them as much as I do, the rollers that is. ;)
Thom
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gotspin7
1672 posts
Aug 09, 2008
2:23 PM
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Thom, I am a hundred percent behind you on that one! Thanks for sharing
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Sal Ortiz
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Oldfart
787 posts
Aug 09, 2008
5:43 PM
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Footnote: I mentioned, I have great neighbors. I live on top of a hill and there are three other houses in close proximity to mine. The closest is twenty feet from my brood loft! They knew I had something in there but they did not know what until I invited them into my loft. I clean incessantly, just makes for healthy birds and good neighbors. The next closest is my paper fairy. A truly delightful lady, she brings me newspapers to line my Crown Breeding Cages. I don't have the heart to tell her my breeding season is over, so I take her home made bread, and put the papers in the trash. ;) Lastly, two teenage girls and all their friends, aunts,uncles, and various children. I fly the old birds so the can see what a roller is, and does. They pet the squeeks and young birds. One more time "Ain't it grand!"
Thom
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gotspin7
1676 posts
Aug 09, 2008
6:13 PM
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Thom, My neighbors tried to kick me out when I moved to the block because of my birds!...LOL.. Know they are ok with me and the birds..LOL
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Sal Ortiz
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PR_rollers
1497 posts
Aug 09, 2008
10:03 PM
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When i first move here and started flying my neighbors thought i had a gift the way i can let the birds go and they come back.they started calling me the birdman.if UPS looking for me all he has to say is looking for the birdman and they point him to my house. Thom I feel you..It a great thing,,feeling young and good inside..
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Ralph
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Oldfart
788 posts
Aug 10, 2008
8:03 AM
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Ralph, Sal, everyone, I stand by my little Plum tree and watch my birds fly. This in itself would make everything worthwhile but I also have the pleasure of my neighbor's and just passerby's. The people always say the same things,"Are those your's?", "OH look at that one, and that one!", "You mean they do that on purpose!", "Will they come back?" and I answer these questions just as though I have never heard them before. Then I ask one of my own, "Would you like to hold a baby?" and the smiles start!
Thom
Last Edited by on Aug 10, 2008 8:04 AM
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gotspin7
1682 posts
Aug 10, 2008
11:04 AM
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Thom, hopefully you will make someone fall in love with the birds and make you a good roller friend!..LOL
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Sal Ortiz
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PR_rollers
1507 posts
Aug 10, 2008
11:26 AM
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Oh yea Thom I always get that one will they come back..lol..you train them to flip like that,,..sometimes i feel like just telling a lil fib,,,yea i train them to do that too..but i get into the whole thing why they spin where they come from..ect. I just love it...
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Ralph
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