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I currently use a standard bob trap. I was thinking of going with a drop trap, or a sputnik. I was told with a sputnik that no settling cage is required because they sun in it and learn to re-enter that way. Is this true? I like the idea of skipping the whole settling cage. Most of my young birds now try to get inside through the aviary first once failing then go to the bobs. So I figure the sputnik would be the same idea but they could enter. Can anyone confirm this before I make my buying decision? Thank you

Yes Sputnik traps are fine,lets your birds acustome themselves to out side and thjey take to re-entry well. Try building yourself save a few bob

Rab Smith

we use them

birds sun themselves inside the bay   to trap better we use redband trapping seed to get them in no fear of the trap they dart in for the seed
jon

i started with sputnicks,but i'm switching away.this is because i found it hard to catch birds in large sputnik without a lot of fuss (particularly with the full length release door) you can go for a 2 ft with small hinged door but this kind of negates the point if you are trying to get away without the settling cage. for ybs i'd have a temporary settling cage around whatever trap i had .  for me stall or open door is better as the birds are less trap shy (ets probably best). just my opinion and i'm probably 'missing a trick' .

I had a 4' Sputnik and I fed my YBs in it on a large aluminium tray, you can get your YBs hand tame quite quickly if you hand feed this way.
Race days I'd make sure I had about a min of 10 YB in the loft.I'd stand inside calling the birds whilst feeding the YBs on the tray the Racer would drop in. I'd pick it up remove the rubber and put it back down to continue feeding, it wouldn't even know it had been clocked.
Get your YBs onto peanuts (human grade) if you want them really hand tame. Also I would always put the YB through the sputnik before I let them out for the first time, pigeons can be so stupid sometimes.
I'm now on ETS.

Thank you very much everyone.