Hey All, I was curious about how often you handle your birds. Is there any difference in handling breeders, old birds, or young birds. Does it make a difference in the kit birds performance? Can you get them too tame? I will go first and explain my regime and reasons therefore. The breeders, in the off season I try to handle at least twice a week, I think it helps for them to be tame enough that I can check their condition without a lot of fuss and medicate with the least amount of trauma. In the breeding season I try to handle them each and every day, the bird on the nest I touch, the bird off the nest I take in hand. I stick my hands in the nest daily. When the squabs are old enough to band, I start handling them each and every day. This in my mind makes for a stress free environment, healthy youngsters and happy breeders. The old or hold over kit birds I take in hand at least twice a week. This helps me check on their condition and at the same time I check for any parasites. Again, this also helps to keep them calmer when I must medicate,(worm) or delouse them. The young birds, I handle everyday, they are working the hardest as I fly them everyday that wind or weather permits so I keep close check on their condition. I also release them from a fly pen and not the front of the kit box so I want to be able to open their door without any trying to jump past me. They are trained to exit into the fly pen by a small door in the rear of my kit box. Please tell me your routine or thoughts. Thanks, Thom
Thom I agree with you on handling them regular. I handle my kit birds almost daily. I release them by hand most days and feel thier condition each time. Sometimes I will need to pull one out and feed it up. I dont handle my breeders much but I do handle my squeaks and can put my hand in any nest without disturbing the owner.
Thanks Paul, I'm still trying to learn as much as a brain dead oldfart can! What seems reasonable to me often sends up red flags for everyone else. ;-)) I just think that the more contact you have with your birds, then the better understanding you will have as to their condition and the reasons for the way they react to any situation. I don't in my mind think that handling them will decrease their capability for the roll. BUT, I would like conformation or opinions of the list. Advise is always welcome here!
Andrew, You might not believe this but I can remember being 17! I will admit that was a few years ago. Enjoy your birds you will never go wrong standing in your loft covered with birds. ;-) Thom
Last Edited by on Oct 08, 2008 12:44 PM
kopetsa.......thats reminds me of when I was young like you and I had an avery full of parakeets. Very cool relationship with your birds.. ---------- Fly High and Roll On Paul
Oldfart, I would say that I handle the kit birds more often than the breeders. I handle the kit birds twice a week to make sure they are healthy and no one is going light.
i handle my birds daily i check for any sickness feather lice or how healthy they are. i bay them weekly let just say im my birds everyday doctor...
Last Edited by on Oct 08, 2008 7:40 PM
