bigwilly
717 posts
Oct 24, 2008
6:45 PM
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How many of you guys breed all year around?
BIG WILLY
TOPP FLIGHT/NCRC
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fresnobirdman
176 posts
Oct 24, 2008
7:17 PM
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i do.
cause i only have fliers, only the best of the best in my kit gets to mate. no money for feed. lol
~~Fresnobirdman~~
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kopetsa
1992 posts
Oct 26, 2008
11:42 AM
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I do but I have obviously have to heat the breeders loft.. and have to give some artificial light..
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Andrew C.
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sundance
851 posts
Oct 26, 2008
4:32 PM
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some feel its too hard on the birds to breed all year. I have usually started in December or January, bbut have to heat the loft and use lights with timers.
This year I doubt I`ll start till March. I bred a lot this year and havent lost many. I`m hoping to fly most of the winter. If the preds dont get too bad I wont need to start early.
I think I`m just turning the corner on my program. I`ll be able to fly yearlings this year and make teams from them next year instead of having to use all young birds to compete with.
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Butch @
Sundance Roller Lofts
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Windjammer Loft
451 posts
Oct 26, 2008
4:51 PM
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It's no healthy for your birds to be under that kind of stress all year long. They need a break at some point. Sounds like alot of impatient newbies to me.
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Fly High and Roll On
Paul
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brudahpete
20 posts
Oct 26, 2008
10:28 PM
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I let them decide when to breed. Usually they take interest in it when the first of May comes around and they taper off in late September. If you spend any time with your birds, you'll know.
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Rule #1: Don't build your loft anywhere near your wife's clothesline....
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KiddenAround
189 posts
Oct 27, 2008
6:09 AM
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I am curious to know what the negative side is to breeding all year round? I would think, logically, it would be tiresome to the bird's body, but I know that in the wild, they would breed all year round (in warmer climates) if left to their own freedom to do so.
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-- Laura
Professional Thrill Seeker
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quickspin
871 posts
Oct 27, 2008
1:32 PM
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One negative side is you will burn out the hen. I also have heard that the offspring is not as strong as it should be.
I breed in till I have my 3 kit cages full. And I don't use the same pair all year I change pairs 2-3 times a year. I breed 4-6 offspring then I change there mates but I separate them and rest them before and I put another pair that I want to try out and I breed 1-2 rounds then I put again the other pair with another mate. So I can have many 1/2 brothers. You will also find out what each bird has by breeding them with different bird the same year.
If every time you get hot bird with one particular bird you will know that it carries a lot of roll. If you get birds that come in early all the time you know he carries that gene also or any fault. This is how you learn your birds and to make your decisions on breeding what bird with what for next year. This is not easy it takes time and a lot of notes.
Rest the bird for your own good 5-6 months a year or you will not have that bird for long.
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SALAS LOFT
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brudahpete
22 posts
Oct 27, 2008
1:48 PM
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If you try to compare rollers or any other domestic pigeon with a wild variety, you would find that they are quite different. Wild birds have many more factors for survival with preditors, the search for food & shelter. Wild birds have seasons just like any other animal even the migratory ones. You can and will wear out a great hen and that's a shame. Patience and carfully planned breeding will extend the longevity of the hen and give you plenty of offspring. You can get a couple of years more out of a hen this way and probably 12 to 16 more hatchings from her in the long run.
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Rule #1: Don't build your loft anywhere near your wife's clothesline....
Last Edited by on Oct 27, 2008 1:49 PM
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Windjammer Loft
453 posts
Oct 28, 2008
4:48 AM
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Laura........all that being said is very TRUE. Plus the fact that puts the hen in so much stress during breeding and going thru the molt isn't hard enough in it's self, the birds really go thru alot too......... Just think how you'd feel if all you did was to pop out babies......LOL
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Fly High and Roll On
Paul
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