Pigeonbasics.com

Hi,

I can't believe this, my better other half is building me a sputnik trap!

Can some one tell me, please, what the gap should be between the dowelling so the birds can get in but, not jump back out.  I've had an old rotting one given because the guys birds could get out, having got it home it was too rotten to use but we're using it as a pattern.  Thanks.

Come on guys. Does no one know?  He's waiting with drill in hand at this very moment and once he stop and sits down, he'll never get going again!  Pleeeez

4 1/4 inches

Thanks very much Yorkie.

4 inches?  between the downward pieces to get in? wouldnt they get in through 4 inches? i would have said 1- 1and a half, as i have made 1 or 2 myself & with trial & error i now use around1- 1 and a half between the dropdowns, maybe i misunderstood the question, sorry

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made from the hollow plastic tubes of my daughters old wendy house. well it does the job(lol)

These are fixed though, Snowy, not bobs. I'll post a photo when it's finished - I have to paint it and then put the mesh and perspex on!

great, let me know, as i want to make one of these myself for my new loft, thanks & regards. snowy

THE GAP SHOULD BE NO MORE THAN 2IN 'S OR THE SPARROWS WILL GET IN  WHEN      COLLECTING FEATHERS. GOOD LUCK  

fly hard fly fair

I am sure Peckedhen is talking about the entry gaps.

yorkie is right just measured mine 4 1/4 inches between the verticals & 5 inches between the horizonals

Here it is Snowy. It still needs perspex to cover sides and front but I think I'm going to make it so I can take it off in good weather. is that how the bought ones are or is the perspex permanently on?  We put two pieces of dowelling at either end in case they got onto the side and then jumped through - I'm still not sure what my birds can do!    If you need more pics let me know and I'll PM you some so I don't bore every one else!

Pecked hen, this looks great. Any chance you could put the construction details on the site......or higher out your other half???

1st class,Job well done.

The 2 inch gap I was refering to was for the side panels so that the small birds  could not get in  you have made a good job of your sputnick
fly hard fly fair

Quoted from Doostalker

Any chance you could put the construction details on the site......or higher out your other half???

All I can tell you that the gap between the dowelling is 4 1/4"  LOL  

He's at the footy now so I can't help at the mo!  If he can draw a sort of plan with measurements and  then my daughter can scan it, I'll do that.

Shadow,
he just used the mesh stuff on the sides - didn't realise it should have been dowelling! I don't suppose the birds will mind.

I'm still not sure if the perspex sides and top should be removeable or not??

sorry about the confusion(i was thinking bobs) that is a great sputnik, im gonna get my tools out tomorrow! thanks again , got the pm, thanks, yes please forward any dimensions.
regards snowy

B&Q opens at 10.00!

1st class job . i think the perspex is just to help keep rain out as it is only held on with cable ties & you can buy them without perspex

Here is another picci of the sputnik - I don't know where the first one went but, theres computers for you!!  Sorry, those who asked for plans and details -  the scanner is on the blink! I've tried to draw the plans with measurements. If they're not clear enough I could e-mail you the photo.





Ok, he used  eight  pieces of 1 1/2"x1 1/2" planed wood from B&Q (sorry not metric!)  They were about 7' long and came in packs of 4.
Perspex
Plastic coated bird mesh
Metal grid (for floor).
Exterior ply (for catching dropping under grid floor)
1 1/2" nails
Small u nails
4 wood screws (to attach diagonal pieces)
Hinges x4
L shaped bracket x4  
catches for exit door.

 
He made the two sides first.
Attached the long pieces  to one side and then the other side to the long pieces.
Put the dowel in to make the trap part and fastened that in.
Put mesh and grid floor in..
Made exit door and attached with hinges.
Attached landing board.
Screwed L shaped brackets under floor to hold dropping catcher!

It is still evolving, I am going to look at a manufactured one tomorrow to see how it should look!  If you need any more help please let me know and also, if anyone does make one sucessfully I'd be glad to hear.

Payback time for all the advice and support I've received on these boards.

thats great, a big help. much appreciated

First class job, Peckedhen.  

Credit to both of you and an inspiration to others to 'do it yourself'.  

Well done Peckedhen. Must get down to B&Q and see what I can do for myself. Keep up the good work.

peckedhen" found this great site, while your chap has his hammer out (lol) get him to have a look at these" follow the link for sputnik & go to the bottom of page & click on back! these loads of stuff to make. hope it helps all diy ers.
http://www.racingbirds.com/acces5.html

Thanks Snowy - keep him busy for a while!

Oh, I was so pleased with my new sputnik but, there is something wrong with the design guys.

The birds can jump out!  At first I thought that one had used a bath, I put in there, as a step but, I've watched today and they just jump up and out!

I'm not sure what the problem is. I moved the traps to the recommended gap yet they still escape.  Perhaps a lower floor?  My other half is going to go ballistic - those u nails will take some getting out now!

Hi
I'm new to the list, just signed up today. That sputnik trap looks awsome, which leads to me to my question. How exactly does a sputnic trap work? Do the birds stay in the trap till you get them out? I have only seen pics of them but never seen one in action.

Ron

Welcome Ron. I'm fairly new here myself but, you can be sure of a warm welcome. I have been overwhelmed by the kindness of the guys here - plenty of advice whatever stage you are at with your birds.

The sputnik is just a homemade effort. The birds just drop/jump from outside through the dowel part and then they can't get out until you open the door at the front. They can't get out through the dowel part as they would have to open their wings to get up to it.  I like it because it extended the size of the loft and the birds can be out in the sun/freshair without escaping. It also allows young birds to see around outside in safety.  The plans for this loft need adjusting if you are thinking of making one. If you attach the wirefloor underneath the framework then it should work ok.

(Guys, I just lay a piece of 1"x 1/4" along the bottom of the dowel to increase the height and that sorted the escapes!! )

You will find that some birds can jump back out of a sputnick trap you must close the landing board as soon as the pigeon has entered (on race days ) so they have no way back. If you are just waiting for them to trap from exercise you will have to catch the offender as soon as it has trapped and pop it in a box until they are all in.  Once one has learnt it can get out it will always do it if the landing board is not closed, and others will learn to do it. I had a little blue hen that used to do it used to call it houdini until it did it on coming back from a race and sat out for 45mins just as well my second pigeon ignored it sitting out. It never went racing again. Have tried sputnicks and stall traps (birds can turn round or push their way through the bobs on these, have now gone back to open door with my old birds and an open window for the Y/Bs. Had noticed that when using any kind of trapping arrangements the pigeons were not racing right up to the loft but slowing down so that they could hit the smaller landing areas.

fly hard fly fair

Thanks Peckhen
I think I'm going to try and build a sputnik like yours. I'm building another loft right now and will incorperate into the new loft.

Ron