ghost007

What would be the recommendation for worms?

Thank you for the replies. So far it appears that scraping the loft often is preferred. What is the hazard of not scraping often?

Thank you for the replies. So far it appears that scraping the loft often is preferred. What is the hazard of not scraping often?

I am fairly new to raising racing pigeons. I get conflicting messages from local fanciers concerning loft maintenance. Some will say to scrap the loft twice a week and others say to create a floor coating. I current have used wood pellets as my flooring. Could I get a concensus from this group as to proper loft cleaning and flooring? Thank you.

I have always used box perches, but have decided to go to the V perch. Can anyone tell me the appropriate alignment and spacing? Thanks

Well, finally got the results on that bird. The Vet said it was bacterial and probably had it for some time. He indicated that it should not have transmitted to any other birds, so I am free to add my new birds to the loft. Appreciate everyone's comments.

Remember everyone that the loft design is from redrose loft, not me, I just created a loft exactly as the intructions indicate and it was a breeze for a looser carpenter Accountant like me. He has been most generous in his sharing of the sport and is the ONLY loft design I could find, there aren't even any kits out there. BTW, the results of the dead pigeon are in but the VET is out til Tuesday and the Tech at the clinic couldn't or wouldn't share the results. More to follow. Rick

Thanks everyone for the compliments on the loft. Carol, I used to race with the Spokane club in the mid 90's until I had neighbor problems and eventually moved to a place that was not conducive to raising pigeons. We just recently bought 10 acres with a house and shop on it and now I have chickens, ducks, a goat and the birds. I doubt I will race again considering the cost of fuel, I am wondering how anyone can afford to train their birds anymore. Where is the state race this year? Rick

I live in washington state. I have a total of 15 birds in a 4 x 8 loft. Here is a link where you can see a picture of a loft exactly like mine. I got the design off the internet. The birds look really good right now having culled a couple and cleaned it extremely well. They were out bathing yesterday, but I will know more this week. http://www.redroselofts.com/starter_loft.htm Specifically I live in Spokane Washington. Rick

Thank you everyone, we have taken the dead bird to the Vet and he is sending it on to the lab at the washington state university vet schoool and should have some results by mid week. Meantime, I have killed on bird that showed symptoms, cleaned the loft and going to get some grit and minerals tomorrow at the feed store. Thanks again. I will post a resolution when I have one.

The birds do sit hunched over, but don't blow there feathers. The droppings are greenish and a little watery, but can't tell from the birds that appear sick. The one bird died last night and I swear it was healthy just a day or so ago. How do you get droppings tested? Thank you for your replies.

I built a loft this summer and populated it with 3 young rollers and 4 young racing homers. All appeared healthy. One of the young rollers got listless seemed to waste away and died. I just figured the bird was too young and may have been. I did observe it eating. Anther bird resently appeared to have hurt itself and could not fly and remains on the floor. It appears to be getting better, but still can't fly and I find nothing broken. Today I find one of the young racing homes on the floor acting as if it is hurt and can't fly. It shows signs of a broken wing, yet it isn't broken, it feels light and thin and is listless. I have had these birds now for a little over a month. I have not medicated, the loft is ventilated and I keep it cleen by scrapping it once a week. Regular racing mix and water. Does anyone have an idea if the birds are sick and if so what should I do? Thanks