Peckedhen

Yes, as Phil said, for a week. Don't keep the cocks locked in, let them out one at a time then two at a time gradually building up until they all know where their own box is. When you reintroduce the hens lock them all in then put the ones that were already paired together, pair the others keeping the boxes locked and watching that they are paired. I put a 2.5litre paint tin in each box so the hen can go up on it away from the cock. Watch that they do pair - he should spin and coo and she should walk proud and sort of nod her head. When you've got them all sorted, you can let them out and the cocks should call the hens up to their box. After a couple of days put the nest bowls in to encourage them to lay. This is what I do and it works for me. Others may have other ideas. :-/

Whilst you get the hens out could you get each cock stayed to a box?

The cock will start to drive her.

Congratulations Slugmonkey.

Thanks for mine too Dovescot. :K)

Post a photo when it's finished - looking forward to seeing it. Hope it gets your mum's approval!!

What a transformation - he's looking great. He's even got those little tufty bits on his feathers that Wiley likes!! As for being thin, he doesn't look thin to me. What do you think guys? Racing pigeons are better lean, they are greedy and will overeat given chance and favourite seeds!

So sorry for you and your family. I hope that you find somewhere to move very soon and, as soon as you're ready, I know there will be plenty of offers of help and birds from here. Sue

Yes - you'll have to make sure the ybs can't get to them - they'll have a peck at anything!! The mothballs contain naphthaline which I'm sure won't do them any good at all!!

Oh heck!! A quick google search brought up the following that might be applicable: Restrict use of birdseed. Fox are attracted to it and to the birds and rodents that use the feeder. !! Spray an ammonia/water solution under the deck; strategically place mothballs around the area. Battery operated flashing lights, tape recorded human noises, scattered moth balls and ammonia-soaked rags strategically placed may deter foxes from entering your yard.

doos

Some smart looking birds there - I wish you all the best with them. Ted helped me with lots of advice when I first started - listen well to him and you won't go far wrong. What a grand and generous gesture Ted - well done.

Welcome Len, This is the best site on the web - always a friendly 'face' here. Join us and enjoy. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Suex

Discussing this yesterday with a fancier who has recently lost two of his best birds to the Peregrine. His theory is that the best birds seem to fly on the outside of the flock, leading them...is this why they get taken in preference to the slower ones??? :-/ :-/

Very wild and way out Dublinflyer! Definitely NOT moi!! ;D Welcome Luckysmum - are these exhibition fantails you have?

I've used one of these to safely cut a ring off a finger. They could be used in the same way on a bird. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-FINGER-RING-CUTTER-SAWING-PLIERS-RINGSAGEZANGEN_W0QQitemZ130212405561QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item130212405561

Yeah - and I thought I'd like a red one! :o :

Very impressive set up. Good luck when you start racing.

Just had the colours explained to me! :B :B :

Can you give me the 'Janet and John' version of how to do it? I don't know how you did that!! Yeah, its my name on my avatar and my photo I want to change.

How do I change my name to red or purple? :-/ :-/

Great news to hear. Well done. Human grade redskin peanuts are great for fattening up. Not too many! Get him used to them and he'll regard them as a treat, will come to you when you call him for them.

Just a thought - is there anything scaring your birds away? A hawk? Cat? Motor bike revving? :-/ :-/

I'll tell you what I do, taking very steadily..... As soon as they are feathered, tails about 1" I put them up into the sputnik for a short while everyday so they can look around. As soon as I wean them I put them in the sputnik, open the trap and, one at a time sit them on the landing board. They don't like being out on their own and straight away trap in. I give each bird three times at this trapping. I start to train to the rattle of the feed tin. Next I sit them all out on the landing board with the trap shut. I stay with them as they are vulnerable to predators, after twenty minutes or so I open the trap and call them in. First they all sit on the landing board then over a few days they begin to flap up onto the loft roof and then take little flights around - all this before they become strong on the wing. I have not lost a young bird yet doing it this way.