BIGPETE

Hi Guys, Build went a wee bit behind schedule as got a new human arrival landing early next month. But wanted to add some progress shots as I went on, more to follow in the next few weeks. First shot shows the diving wall, thanks to Nephilim for convincing me not to go with 3 sections. I see now how silly that would have been! Some mesh wire still to go into the door frames, still a work in progress as you can see. Thanks to all who chimed in with info and suggestions. Wee shot of the nest boxes (6 of) plastic fronts weren't fixed at that stage as was playing about with em. Will update with mroe recent pics of the fronts in soon. Pete

Hi Guys, I've got my first 4 pairs of birds bought now but some of them are on the old side. I am looking for 2 pairs of younger birds (ideally 1-3 years old to use as feeders to swap the eggs from the birds I have bought to the more youthful birds). If anybody can loan/give me 2 pairs it would be much appreciated. They are to be housed in the back section of the loft so there will be no escapee's flying out by accident so no fear about that. I can't afford to buy more birds, hence asking someone to do me a good turn. I can exchange for some pigeon books, videos or similar if that's of any use to anyone. If anyone can help me out please do drop me a PM. Cheers, Pete

Got me loft number a few days back, cheers everyone for the help

Was a good game, two teams that I love to watch. That young Barkley & also Oxlade Chamberlain are a joy to watch.

Started building the boxes today, very work in progress and I'm no chippy so won't be the prettiest but will be solid . Using old timber where possible to save a few pennies. Will update with a few pics over the weekend.

Cheers Paddy

Fingers crossed sooner the better. How many numbers long are they usually? Lol Walter, there just jealous mate

Thanks Walter. You are a star

I have a childrens play house to go but we are miles away. Sorry bud

Thanks everyone for the info. My application has been sent off to the RPRA, how long does this sort of thing usually take to get sorted and sent back to me?

Ok I have taken the comments on board and many thanks for them as some offered real food for thought. Have decided to increase aviary length and also make 2 sections rather then 3. Roll on the weekend! Ps. Nest boxes may go to back wall rather then side wall (As suggested), will have a better idea once the partition is up and I can see how it will look.

Just me talking P1sh buddy

Cheers for the heads up. What's the show called?

No thanks Billy, please stop private messaging me and trying to give me so much for free ya dafty :D :D

Thanks for the info lads, will Google all options suggested and get hold of some. Cheers, Peter

Billy's so tight he won't even give words away :crying:

Gonna nae dae that

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Cheers Lennut, yeah busy few weeks ahead with building a home for them and then settling the new birds. Very exciting times to be honest and can't wait to breed when it gets warmer and have some birds to fly out! I ask a lot of questions on here but don't know anybody who keeps pigeons (outside of the forum) so this website is a blessing to me and im very thankful for all the info everybody had offered. Top site and top people!

Haha ooopps. What are people using these days? Aerosols? Or dipping the birds in something? How comes people stopped using powder? Seems good value!

Mite and Lice powder... Which one to buy? Or is there a better type about? Poultry Mite & Lice Powder 250g http://www.amazon.co.uk/Poultry-Mite-Lice-Powder-250g/dp/B003XLJ3RO/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393890309&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=lice+powder+pigeons or Johnsonns Mite & Lice Powder? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Johnsons-R023-Pigeon-Mite-Powder/dp/B009L4IMVK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393890309&sr=8-1&keywords=lice+powder+pigeons Cheers, Pete

Yes i'm sure in time it will grow and expand and happy to build as and when. But to start with I want to try it out in a shed I already have available rather then commiting to buying a loft just now. Expanding the flight out the front makes sense too, I will have a look in the daylight and see how big I can go Thanks for the suggestions.

Hi Tony thanks for the reply, would you say better on the back wall? I know it's still a small area regardless, but that would give them a bit more room in terms of line of flight to top boxes etc?

Hello Lads, Planning to finish converting the shed to a loft this weekend (weather permitting). After boarding out the shed with plywood the dimensions are now 9Ft9" x 5ft6". I have 4 pairs sorted out (adults) arriving in a week or two so have to convert the shed into sections to split the cocks and hens. I know admittedly this is a small shed but please remember I am planning to keep pigeons first rather then get straight into racing. (Learn to walk before I can run etc). Anyway, the plan is make 3 small sections. Section 1 is tiny but is only a means of me going in and closing the main door behind me so I won't get any escaping (also intended for storing corn and other odds and sods).. 2nd section (apx 5ft6"x48") will be initially to keep the 4 hens in. 3rd section (apx 5ft6"x46") to keep the cocks in. Once there all settled and I am ready to pair up the door between section 2&3 will be wide open so they have maximum amount of room (Apx 8ftx 5ft6"). The plan is when I wean some young to keep them in section 2 and they can enter and exit the loft by a small sputnik. I don't plan to have many young to start with, maybe 2 rounds so maybe 16 yb's max. The aviary won't be huge but will be big enough for me to go in and clean and also to have a bath in there for the prisoner birds. The aviary is a bit bigger then section 3 so access to the aviary is possible from both sections so the cocks and hens can go out on rotation (pre breeding). I know this is a small loft so I'm trying to maximise the space and options. Also realise it won't be suitable for racing. But hoping if all goes well in future I could build a racing loft and keep this for the breeders. I have planned this out and in my head it all makes sense. But if anyone thinks I am missing a trick anywhere or has any suggestions please do post up. As hoping to get this finished this weekend. Excuse the very rough diagram but I am no Picasso Cheers, Pete

Cheers for the info lads, materials being sourced and build scheduled to start this weekend if the rain holds off.