Jigger
1 post
Oct 08, 2009
6:09 PM
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I'm just getting started. I got my first kit of birds from a reputable breeder and I'm looking forward to putting them in the air soon. I've had them in my loft for going on 5 weeks. Any suggestions on how much longer I should keep them penned before letting them loose? I know this is open-ended but give me a tip or two about what to do and what not to do. What are two or three mistakes you made as a rookie that might help me? Thanks.
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1471 posts
Oct 08, 2009
6:37 PM
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Welcome Jigger, You might want to tape their last three flights. I like to use low tack painters tape, it will help minimize the damage to the feathers. If you do tape their flights, stay with them every moment they are out because they will be help less. After a week of letting them look around and coming and going through your traps remove the tape on a few at a time but not all of them. The ones with the tape removed will take short flights to learn where home is and the birds with their flights still taped will help the flying ones back home.
Good luck!
Thom
Last Edited by on Oct 08, 2009 6:40 PM
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toughrollers
280 posts
Oct 08, 2009
6:59 PM
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welcome jigger, and enjoy this great site.
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Last Edited by on Oct 08, 2009 7:01 PM
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roller alley
181 posts
Oct 08, 2009
8:46 PM
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depending on where you live,you might be at risk of the BOP,do some research before you put them at risk.i have 5 birds that are still out they never came down the bop was too determined to catch dinner. they stayed up and the sun went down.today was suposed to be the last time i flew them before the lock down and he got me.the bastard,but i take full responsability.if you must make sure they havnt been fed so they will not stray far from the feed can
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Windjammer Loft
962 posts
Oct 09, 2009
4:01 AM
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Jigger....first of all would you be so kind as to fill out your profile info for us. Are you using a settling cage? As for your birds follow the advise give already and make sure your birds are "hungry" before you let them out for their first solo flight. Don't feed them the day before your release them. Good luck and enjoy
Fly High and Roll On
Paul
Last Edited by on Oct 09, 2009 4:02 AM
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rookie from ct
GOLD MEMBER
150 posts
Oct 09, 2009
4:56 AM
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Welcome Jigger,where do you live,is your new kit all young birds and if they are they are over 2months old and can be released now if they been able to see there enviroment are they in a kit box or a open loft do you have open field or big trees around it all makes a difrence when homeing in young birds,just have patience and do not flag them good luck and watch the skies first for BOP. Dennis
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Jigger
2 posts
Oct 09, 2009
7:36 AM
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Thanks for the welcomes and the responses. I'll try and answe your questions and respond to your comments.
1.Thorn, thanks for the advice. What you say sounds very logical. I'll do it.
2.Tough, thank you for the welcome.
3.R.Alley, I haven't seen any BOP in a while. I live in a residential area and seasonally (early to midsummer) we have Mississippi kites. Will they bother pigeons?
4.Paul, how do I fill out my profile?
5.Dennis, I live in Oklahoma. My kit is all young birds ready to fly. I did not hatch them here. I bought them all from a breeder. They are all over two months old and I've had them in my loft 5 weeks. I live in a residential area with quite a few large trees and a garage apartment surrounding the loft. Not ideal conditions but I have to play the hand I'm dealt. My loft is 4 ft x 4 ft with a permanent wire aviary attached that the birds can go into and get fresh air and sunlight anytime they want. I have 16 birds.
Knowing the above, any other tips or advice will be appreciated.
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PR_rollers
GOLD MEMBER
3412 posts
Oct 09, 2009
8:29 PM
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Welcome Jigger.. Scroll to the right at the top and hit account under your name there you can add to your profile..
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Ralph.
Pigeons are not our whole life, but they damn sure make our lives whole!" ~
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