roller alley
81 posts
Jan 17, 2009
12:49 PM
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Today as I cleaned the coop, I noticed since I have locked down for the winter how behind I am.The people that have flown threw the air raids are well ahead of the pack.It is something I did like to do,do to the fact that in the fall I get rid of all of the birds I consider below par.
My goal for next fall is to have enough stock to be able to fly.If anybody is trying to be seriouse in this hobby it is something you must do, and locking up is a great set back.One lockup puts you so far behind,possibly a full year.The new birds will take way to long to learn the correct way to kit or be so lazy.I am hoping that having an open loft will help me out a bit ,but i am expecting the worst.
I have all ready separated the birds into their own fly fly conpartment.They get fed their once a day rations,but get their winter food still to keep them protected a bit from the cold,but it doesnt get too cold in Cali.Next month I will open their roof hatch.I have a settling cage up there to get them homed in before the spring comes.
Just my 2 cents
L.J.
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roller heaven
57 posts
Jan 18, 2009
4:29 AM
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Good thinking the more rollers the better.
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quality
146 posts
Jan 18, 2009
5:02 AM
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If you keep flying through the air raids & lose all your best birds. How far behind are you now?
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Yours in the Hobby
Don Lunau
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Tony Chavarria
Site Publisher
3031 posts
Jan 18, 2009
6:14 AM
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Hey LJ, last year, after a Fall/Winter 5 month layoff, my birds took 2 weeks to get back to flying form and about 2 more weeks to bring the roll back to a sufficient level. Locking up is NOT a setback. It is the only way to preserve good rollers and the previous years of "hard work".
If you have done a good managers job last year, then after some conditioning, you should have a kit ready to resume their development where they left off. It is not starting from scratch. If you feel that it is, you might consider asking some some hard questions about your management methods or if you think you are fine there, consider rethinking your choice roller strain.
This is where mental toughness or the character of the strain comes into play.
Hey Don, great point!
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FLY ON! Tony Chavarria
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quality
148 posts
Jan 18, 2009
6:42 AM
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I too have to lock the birds up every year. It seems earlier & earlier every year.
But come spring time, I still have all my birds I quit flying with the year before. It takes them, like Tony says 2 weeks to get in shape, 2 weeks to get back to form. Than I am starting where I left off. No real ill effects to the birds.
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Yours in the Hobby
Don Lunau
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Velo99
2038 posts
Jan 18, 2009
6:45 AM
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One thing I have wondered.
When you guys lock down for a period of time whats the procedure you use to get the birds ready to fly again?
If you look at it from a atheletic prep standpoint, getting back in shape sucks.
Good point T.
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V99
blue sky single beat
in cadance performing now
earth beckons the winged
drawn breath is let quickly forth
orchestral movement follows
___ ~_____
\__\_/-|_| \__\____
/()_)__14___()_)\__\
Last Edited by on Jan 18, 2009 6:46 AM
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RUDY..ZUPPPPP
GOLD MEMBER
2438 posts
Jan 18, 2009
6:49 AM
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I fly Year round.....no break for the birds....lol
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RUDY PAYEN
PANCHO VILLA LOFT
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Tony Chavarria
Site Publisher
3032 posts
Jan 18, 2009
7:06 AM
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Hey Kenny, got your message too late last night to respond. Want me to still call you?
To answer your question Kenny, for a few days, I will open the trap door and let them come and go for a couple days, most will start flying on their own, some want to strut for the hens. This week, my birds will be in the second week of free loft which means by the end of this week, I will start flagging them out, flying 60 to 90 min to build muscle back up.
Once all the birds are back to form, I will start training and feeding them to bump up the action. Then I start paying attention to who still has it, who has fallen apart and which seem to be improving over last year.
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FLY ON! Tony Chavarria
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Windjammer Loft
656 posts
Jan 18, 2009
7:16 AM
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roller alley....."I am hoping that having an open loft will help me out a bit,but i am expecting the worst".
If you go into this with that attitude...You will suffer the worst.
Approach things with a "positave attitude" and things
will always work out for the better. Just some words of wisdom.
As to add to what Tony....well he said it "All"
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Fly High and Roll On
Paul
Last Edited by on Jan 18, 2009 7:20 AM
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Velo99
2039 posts
Jan 18, 2009
7:41 AM
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Tony I would appreciate a call
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V99
blue sky single beat
in cadance performing now
earth beckons the winged
drawn breath is let quickly forth
orchestral movement follows
___ ~_____
\__\_/-|_| \__\____
/()_)__14___()_)\__\
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pigeon pete
50 posts
Jan 18, 2009
7:42 AM
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I just started my birds flying 2 weeks ago after around 3 mo lay off. Today is the first day they have all more or less kitted well, still the odd outbird.
One didn't take well to flying and went light (maybe had background sickness) and I had to be cruel to be kind. Today they were starting to fly like racers, so the fat is now off, and they need to be slowly bought to good flying/rolling condition. On average I would say around 6-8 weeks to sort them out and get them back into good form.
If you lock up every winter you should end up with a family that will stand being locked down and still come back OK.
You may lose a few in the process, but you strain will eventually change it's charateristics as you remove those that do not thrive on your system, whatever it is. It is constantly changing your system that can put you back. IMO
Pete.
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Tony Chavarria
Site Publisher
3033 posts
Jan 18, 2009
7:55 AM
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Hey Pete, a clarifying question: did you mean change the entire system or merely tweak the current system as needed to deal with adjusting real life conditions?
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FLY ON! Tony Chavarria
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CSRA
1742 posts
Jan 18, 2009
7:59 AM
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Good Luck Roller Alley on your project let me know how it works
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Tony Chavarria
Site Publisher
3034 posts
Jan 18, 2009
8:16 AM
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Hey Kenny, I left a message.
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FLY ON! Tony Chavarria
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roller alley
82 posts
Jan 18, 2009
10:43 AM
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Thanks for the advice and boost of confidence everybody,the anticipation of seeing the kit in action was geting me lazy.I guess,there is no easy way to do things but hard work and dedication.
I took my kit box down to make room for more breeding space,but i will move my window 4 feet and put two there.
I know every body thinks their program is tops,but how many of you realy plan out ,the steps to take you to the next level.
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Scott
1453 posts
Jan 18, 2009
11:04 AM
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I have no problem locking down when need be, it doesn't (or shouldn't) hurt them in the least if well bred.
I will even breed out of a bird for a season or two and put them back in the air with little problem once you get them in condition.
If they are youngsters I do cut breeding season off in time to get plenty of fly time though before the sky killers show up.
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Just my Opinion
Scott
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