PigeonDetective

Just bought some aniseed powder to encourage faster trapping.. Just wondering how much to use? Seen advice about aniseed oil, but not powder.. sorry in advance if this topics already been covered

I have settled birds who were born at my loft.. Was thinking of letting them out at the same time as my others? Should I throw a few grains around once their out.. or only feed back in their loft? Its a minefield haha

I have acquired a Pakistani high flyer hen (adult) and a Tippler youngster.. I have them separate to my flock at the moment in a small temporary loft.. Pairing her up isn't an option.. They have a mesh window, that I cover at night, So their able to see out most of the day.. A lot of info online says that tipplers can be reoriented in 3 weeks or so.. I intend letting them out with the rest of my flock, and Hungry just before sunset in couple of weeks.. Am I setting myself up for a failure, or does my plan sound like the right idea?

Hopefully.. Suppose it just takes time for them to get used to it

I have kept to one meal per day and added higher ratio of barley.. they are trapping quicker and alot more eager when being fed Their flying has improved too, longer times etc, but I have noticed some days depending on the weather, they are waiting to get back in the loft asap for food. I might switch to 2 smaller meals, just dont want to lose any ground iv made The small meal before they are let out is a good tip.. more energy to stay out

I was thinking that.. plenty of poultry hatching eggs for sale

**

I dont mind paying money for peoples efforts to show appreciation.. Just a shame when peoples sole intentions are to make money

Good point.. Would usually stay away from people setting out with the purpose of making money

Rats and mice love chocolate as bait if you choose to go down the trap route

Great tip.. thanks Do you know what type of pigeon eggs he sells?

l will find it and have a read mate.. nice one

Just wondering if anybody has experiences of transporting eggs and having the chicks raised by pumpers? I can see the benefits of it not being stressful to the birds (because their obviously just eggs), they would settle far easier because their raised in your loft. Also been thinking that it might be an advantage to be able to choose a reliable pair to raise the eggs and of real benefit for someone with a small flock. It can inject new blood into a flock without having to settle their parents etc As for down sides, I'm sure there are lots.. never seem to see hatching eggs advertised. Anybody tried it?

Thanks mate

Well 2 youngsters & 1 older bird back.. the one missing is one of the originals.. Last bird I lost was his mate ironically.. still time in good conditions with a bit of luck

Thats a good idea blue morning.. I keep notes so I can hit the right balance.. Had bit of a nightmare this morning, from one extreme to the other.. Let them out as usual, flying great, best iv seen them, saw my young birds drifting further.. didnt panic to begin with.. 2 young an 2 old birds have gone out of sight.. which is great aslong as they know the area well enough.. still no sign

Iv took onboard about feeding barley and rewarding good behaviour with trapping seed or peanuts as a treat.. They flew pretty keenly today, I think its a matter of fitness because the youngsters on the same diet are much keener to exercise.. Hopefully its just a matter of time until they all show willing.. Call me soft, but im not one for culling.. Any bad habits they've picked up are probably my fault.. Thanks for all the replies people

Which grains can I cut out to lower the protein levels? So your assumptions are that my pigeons arnt well novice? Will barley not put too much weight on them?

I initially started the one feed a day to drop weight, might revert back to morning and evening feed if they seem more keen to fly and trap.. The make up of the mix is Maize, Tic Beans, Wheat, Blue Green Peas, White/Yellow Peas, Barley and Red Dari.. Think their all done with the moult, maybe im just not giving them enough time to adjust to the new routine.. Added the tonic to their water today, Not that its going to be a miracle solution, but every little helps I suppose

haha he sounds abit like myself.. I don't keep racers.. I work sat days, but should be able to sort something

Feeding them about an oz each of willsbridge maintenance, once a day after they have been let out.. Usually let them out around 9.30 in the morning? Have only recently recently switched to this routine a couple of weeks ago though.. I was originally feeding them twice daily, mornings & evenings

Forgot to ask.. My young birds are much more keen to fly and im afraid of the older birds teaching them bad habits.. Are my older birds damaged goods? I don't really have room for birds who arnt pulling their weight, But if I can help rectify any mistakes that are my fault id like to avoid getting rid of them

Im aware that whilst I was settling my older birds, Iv overfed them & their out of shape.. For the past couple of weeks iv cut their food down & been exercising them everyday with mixed results.. The older birds tend to sit on the roof of the house or the loft.. Im guessing because their hungry their waiting for the food to come.. But If I feed them more the day before they will take longer to trap and not want to fly! Its a hard balance to strike.. The day after bonfire night my old birds and youngsters were flying out all together starting to kit up.. I felt like I had made real progress. Then today only the odd bird felt like exercising! Iv ordered hormoform and tonic to add to their water, So I can restrict their diet further without worrying whether their getting enough nutrients.. Its early days, But progress seems slow.. Any advice on getting them performing how they should be would be much appreciated!

Yeh mate.. that's sound.. Sort something out one weekend I only have a small flock of performing birds like

atleast its out the way for another year