UFCVM
39 posts
Sep 11, 2009
6:03 PM
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Went to the local church parking lot. Let my 6 birds out of their portable kitbox that sits on my truck, and they were happy catching the wind under their wings but not flying. After about 45 minutes they decide to take off. This is the first time they actually took flight for a long duration(15 mins) previously only one 5 min flight. And one of the older birds( 14 week old), actually started rolling already. and the others were tail sitting, but not kitting. Any who. Three of them land perfectly back on the kibox( one squeeker and two 14 weeks old). 3 remained in the air but would not take to landing, they came in but flew right past, and went and landed on the church and stayed out of range of the kitbox until one went MIA, another taken by a hawk, and one still sitting in the trees. I dont get it. Some land, but others wont. and i used the ones that landed as droppers, and I shook the feed can, and whistle like I usually do.
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Kevin
~Portable Flyer: Backyard flyer that flys in someone else's backyard.
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Kevin
~Portable Flyer: Backyard flyer that flys in someone else's backyard.
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Ty Coleman
713 posts
Sep 11, 2009
6:09 PM
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Kevin they probably saw the hawk and got spooked. My kit normaly splits when a hawk comes in, half dive for the kitbox the other half skies out or hits the trees.
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Ty
Vapor Trail Lofts
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UFCVM
40 posts
Sep 11, 2009
6:40 PM
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that could be, 3 crows were actually chasing them around a bit. and then i sat there for 15 or more minutes trying to get them to land, and then out of no where a hawk was flying off with one of them.
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Kevin
~Portable Flyer: Backyard flyer that flys in someone else's backyard.
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PR_rollers
GOLD MEMBER
3379 posts
Sep 11, 2009
6:44 PM
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Just like Ty said they probably got spook and at the begining some do come down some go elsewhere even if not spook.just a phase some go through..but you showing patience and thats a good sign..step by step ..it aint easy but you doing it..
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Ralph.
Pigeons are not our whole life, but they damn sure make our lives whole!" ~
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UFCVM
41 posts
Sep 11, 2009
6:56 PM
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Well Ill be back in the morning to try and collect them. this happened a week ago at a different location and went back two days later to get one back. Unfortunately that bird is the one a hawk was flying away with.
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Kevin
~Portable Flyer: Backyard flyer that flys in someone else's backyard.
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Ty Coleman
716 posts
Sep 11, 2009
7:03 PM
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I have never flown from a portable but the people I have spoken with say they normaly get the birds back the next day. Being the BOP are migrating I would recomend that you fly about 30 min's before dusk to reduce your losses. If not they will pick you clean.
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Ty
Vapor Trail Lofts
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UFCVM
42 posts
Sep 11, 2009
7:08 PM
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Well actually, thats exactly what I did, it was getting dark. they went up around 7:00 pm and it gets dark here right about 8 pm. I was suprised they took em that late, cause it was getting pretty fairly dark out. But this area has to be loaded with them. I still have to try the parking garage at school, But i worry about buildings blocking their view, but we will see.
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Kevin
~Portable Flyer: Backyard flyer that flys in someone else's backyard.
Last Edited by on Sep 11, 2009 7:09 PM
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Ty Coleman
717 posts
Sep 12, 2009
4:29 AM
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You may be better off to lock them down for a while then. Let the hawks finish there migration south. I fly late in the hopes that they have already had there meal for the day and leave my kits alone, but in the high point of migration it's almost impossible to fly around them.
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Ty
Vapor Trail Lofts
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UFCVM
44 posts
Sep 12, 2009
4:40 AM
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How far south is south? Where do they usually end up? And in reality if I could have just got them landed, it would have been fine. But they were low flying for quite a while before one got hawked.
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Kevin
~Portable Flyer: Backyard flyer that flys in someone else's backyard.
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Ty Coleman
718 posts
Sep 12, 2009
4:50 AM
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I think the majority head to South America but don't hold my feet to the fire on that one. I can watch my birds and tell by there habbits when there is a hawk around [most of the time] and they will fly way longer without landing. The birds will see them way before we do.
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Ty
Vapor Trail Lofts
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UFCVM
46 posts
Sep 12, 2009
6:13 AM
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Well I went back this morning and there was a pile of feathers on the roof of the church, So i think I know what happened early this morning. I went from 7 birds to 3 in two flyings and two different locations. I have one more flying location to try, and it that doesnt work. Ill have to just get parlor rollers or something. lol
Ty, I read some stuff about coops, and some will stay in there same locations especially in Florida. WHich is were I am conveniently located. But its always been my experience that the coops are a year round problem.
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Kevin
~Portable Flyer: Backyard flyer that flys in someone else's backyard.
Last Edited by on Sep 12, 2009 6:14 AM
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maxspin
366 posts
Sep 12, 2009
10:45 AM
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Kevin,
Portable flying will always be more difficult that flying from a stationary loft. I have had many times when the birds would not land for hours and/or overfly because of a hawk in a tree that I could not see. (they knew it was there).
If you stay with it I am sure that you will get some veterans that will be quick to trap in regardless.
Good luck
Keith Maxwell
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UFCVM
48 posts
Sep 12, 2009
10:56 AM
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Keith,
That is what I am hoping to get. I am still going to work with these three until I received more babies in a few weeks. Its just a bastard getting away from any form of woods or tree lots. They arent ready for supercenter parking lots, so I am hoping that the parking garage will help. I just have to find the right one.
Anyone have a design for a good portable kitbox that works. I just have this wood dowel crate that I am using. I want something easier to carry(by a handle) and perhaps lighter and just of good design
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Kevin
~Portable Flyer: Backyard flyer that flys in someone else's backyard.
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VetFlyer
6 posts
Sep 12, 2009
11:57 AM
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This is the first of three Portable Boxes I have built. Only used it a few times, same problem, finding a good place to fly.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg153/EdMc2/th_100_0545-1.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg153/EdMc2/th_100_0546.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg153/EdMc2/th_100_0548.jpg
This is the first time posting pics on this forum. Hope it works.
Well, it didn't work, you will have to copy and paste.
Ed
Last Edited by on Sep 12, 2009 11:59 AM
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UFCVM
49 posts
Sep 12, 2009
12:03 PM
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Well thats almost exactly what I had in mind. Nice. How do the other portables compare to this one? how many birds did you try to fly?
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Kevin
~Portable Flyer: Backyard flyer that flys in someone else's backyard.
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VetFlyer
7 posts
Sep 12, 2009
12:20 PM
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The only diffrance from the first one is how they set up. This one is all one assembly, when you unlatch the legs and latches on the sides, you can then just pull up and it unfolds. The problem was the training cage was carried seperatley. On the others the legs are still attached, but the two wire cages are stored inside and then stacked, bottom tray with legs, wire cage, top tray and training cage on top.
I flew donecks from it, I have had five doneks and two indian fantail droppers in it at one time with no problem.
Last Edited by on Sep 12, 2009 1:26 PM
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UFCVM
50 posts
Sep 12, 2009
12:49 PM
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so the wire cage is collapsible within the top and bottom trays? is that what you meant by storing them inside?
Do you still have donecks? How did they perform?
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Kevin
~Portable Flyer: Backyard flyer that flys in someone else's backyard.
Last Edited by on Sep 12, 2009 12:53 PM
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VetFlyer
8 posts
Sep 12, 2009
1:01 PM
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On the first box the wire folds and pivots into the trays. On the others the wire cages are seperate, you fold them and then place them into the bottom tray and then put the top tray on and latch.
Yes, I still have doneks and fly them at home, some are better than others.LOL. I Plan on making a portable that sits on the ground, with a door, that is better suited for diving breeds like my Doneks and Wutas.
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RUDY..ZUPPPPP
GOLD MEMBER
2788 posts
Sep 12, 2009
1:12 PM
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My opinion i will only fly in my back yard No portable.....THX.....
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RUDY PAYEN
PANCHO VILLA LOFT
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UFCVM
52 posts
Sep 12, 2009
3:34 PM
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I hear you. Wish I didnt have to drive all over. But i have no fly space in my yard. Its just tree overhang. and of course the hawks wouldnt be any different. Id just have neighbors wanting to complain.
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Kevin
~Portable Flyer: Backyard flyer that flys in someone else's backyard.
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VetFlyer
9 posts
Sep 12, 2009
5:31 PM
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Kevin
This french site is where I got the idea to build my box.
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/pigeonsport/championnat.htm
Hope it gives you some good ideas.
Ed
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wafer kits
123 posts
Sep 13, 2009
11:27 AM
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Kevin
There is always the threat of losing a few while trying to break them in. 45 minutes of loft sitting followed by 15 minutes of erratic flying is sure to attract attention. Coopers often sit on a perch and eye the territory around them for quite awhile and red-tails keep circling back around. I recovered a bird yesterday that had been missing for 3 days in hawk-infested territory. Good luck, buddy! Al
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UFCVM
53 posts
Sep 13, 2009
12:18 PM
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You sure described the situation exactly. haha. I might try to go back and see if the one squeeker that went straight MIA is still around. IDK. And im sure breaking them in. But hopefully I can get a few to stay, it will be easier when I have new babies coming in. Or it will be a viscous cycle of breaking in new squeekers all the time
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Kevin
~Portable Flyer: Backyard flyer that flys in someone else's backyard.
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Ty Coleman
727 posts
Sep 14, 2009
5:30 PM
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Kevin, send me your e-mail I have a question for you. Ty_C_79@yahoo.com
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Ty
Vapor Trail Lofts
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