showman

A very good point. I went deep litter last year. Saves a world of time and didn't have any health issues with the birds. Make your management as simple as you can.

Indeed, a huge tragedy. I,like most people on the site, am having problems with the reality of it all. Very difficult, if not impossible, to come up with the correct and appropriate words to express your sympathies. May you all find peace in your Eternal Rest...Sean, Mark, Evan, Ruth & Jodie-Lee. Strength to Louise & Joshua and family circle to endure over the coming days. For Baby Rionaghac-Ann who will grow-up with the love her surviving family will bestow on her. God bless you 'little one'.

Had our club secretary on the phone last week, asking did I want to attend a pre-season get together / dinner for club members this Friday night ? It's not club funded, each member paying individually. Must have been discussed at AGM, which I couldn't attend. Never heard of this before, so I said yes. We only have 7 members in total, 2 are very doubtful, so that leaves 5! Really intrigued!! Does your club do anything pre-season, like this ?

What concerns me more is your pre-determined need to fill a cupboard with supplements & additives. Why not start with the food & water principal ? Get the basics right. JMO.

Very pleased to see you include show pigeons! Not sure if it's still in force, but the British Show Racer Federation at one time had a system of points in place which would result in individual birds being regarded as Champions under BSRF rules. I can assure you any bird awarded Champion status earned it. In our last 2 years of showing we had a Silver Cheq hen who was in the team for these 2 years. 6 shows as YB, 6 as a Yearling. 10 times 1st, and 3 times Best in Show. She was nominated twice to represent NISRF at Blackpool. Didn't send her ! Joe and I never looked on her as anything more than consistent, never a 'Champion'.

Never having flown Roundabout, wouldn't the regime be close to a Widowhood one ?

Way too early in year for single-up ?

Depends on what you're after !

Well done

Welcome

Told ya !! LMAO !

No, definitely not, just trying to get my ducks in a row for next year (DV) and keeping my eye on the fact I'll be trying to keep it down to a small team.

Was thinking about that. Yes, when they're paired, space in the nest box side would be at a premium, and the hens side would be empty. I thought, maybe naively, that after the pairs are settled and possibly on eggs, why not just leave the sliding door fully open thus giving them access to the whole loft ?

Was thinking of a 30" sliding door. Thanks for your input.

Something like this Tony ?

Already in place Tony. The framework on the loft side of the sputnik has a hinged 'window' with opaque corriboard fitted. Thanks for your input. Cheers. Sorry, why should that be ?

I'll be on E-Bay later !!

Your thoughts are welcome and well received.

Cheers. More info. Great stuff.

I take it they would trap to the nest box section ? Thanks for that, a bit further on with my understanding !

Being someone who knows nothing about the Roundabout system, I thought it would be better to ask questions as I went along. Your reply has been concise, to the point and full of helpful information.

Can a 12x6 loft (divided) 9 widowhood boxes in one section and 'poles' in the other, 2 sputniks fitted, be used for Roundabout ?

Sorry, can't really comment as 'raiding nests' never happened to me.

What about reducing the amount of nesting material you provide ? Nest building is an urge governed by nature. Keep an eye on the size of nest, and should they be over zealous, daily remove small amounts of material. The urge will remain and the end result more acceptable.Have done this a few times, and it worked for me.JMO.

All OK here.