Loft Direction

[Edinburgh west]

Good afternoon lads. As it stands my loft faces east but I can only fit in an 18 foot loft. But on the other side of the garden facing north I could get 32 foot exactly what am after. What is the downfall of facing north. ??

[dal2]

Good afternoon lads. As it stands my loft faces east but I can only fit in an 18 foot loft. But on the other side of the garden facing north I could get 32 foot exactly what am after. What is the downfall of facing north. ??

Nae sun in the winter. Maybe a rood that can let some light in would help

[Kyleakin Lofts]

Predominant winds used to be from the North West, but nowadays the weather is so changeable. Facing South is meant to give you the best of the sun, so presumably facing North will give you the least of the sun. You already have a loft facing East and that is meant to be the coldest direction. Nowadays, I find all the winds are cold. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will comment.

 

Just noticed Steven has so done.

[JCN]

I've an open fronted loft facing north but I've shutters on inside of wire aviary incase of cold north winds. These are polycarbonate to allow light. Thinking of adding further polycarb on roof to allow more light. Condition of birds is first class

[andy Burgess]

my late Fathers loft used to face North over the Monsanto chemical works (not ideal) , yet he won everything there was to win (un-like myself). so not always a disadvantage ! I intend to place my racing loft facing South tho .

[bibendium]

Predominant winds used to be from the North West, but nowadays the weather is so changeable. Facing South is meant to give you the best of the sun, so presumably facing North will give you the least of the sun. You already have a loft facing East and that is meant to be the coldest direction. Nowadays, I find all the winds are cold. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will comment.

 

Just noticed Steven has so done.

 

 

Ever since I was a boy at school we were told the preveiling winds in the uk were from the South West pretty sure its still the same.

[Kyleakin Lofts]

Predominantly North West where I live, must be the hill and valleys round about. Gulf stream comes in from the south west, but even it has moved further North. Global warming seems to be changing a lot of weather aspects.

[philg50]

South West winds most prevalent or so they say in the UK .In my loft i use day light low energy bulbs and they are on all day,makes a great odds .Loft faces west but under shade of house until later this month.

[Roland]

North for snow .. well used to be. East still colder and bitter. The birds use a lot of inner heat to combat this. Need more fatty feeds etc. Besides hating an East in Wind, like most birds, beast and man. Well know sayings so truth full is 'When wind has East, it's no good for man or beast'! Very much so for our birds. Training, facing east winds is very detrimental, and takes a longer time to become to racing fit. they don't like it. In a short time past, birds were even let out in a east wind, let alone trained. Raced Lol.

[greigthedoodrysdale]

My loft faces north but I have windows on the east and west side.

[REDCHEQHEN]

Good afternoon lads. As it stands my loft faces east but I can only fit in an 18 foot loft. But on the other side of the garden facing north I could get 32 foot exactly what am after. What is the downfall of facing north. ??

Our first loft faced North - you lost time in trapping, the loft was very cold in the winter

We used it for one and a half seasons before swapping to the exact opposite side of the garden

 

There was a big difference in racing (we were better back then!!!)

[Novice]

The main benefits of a North facing loft is that the birds tend to moult slightly more slowly and also hit form later in the season.

[Roland]

The main benefits of a North facing loft is that the birds tend to moult slightly more slowly and also hit form later in the season.

 

Nice post that. With a good element of truth and realism.

[Mattydoos79]

One facing West and another south as it’s the only way to fit in the garden but so far the birds are homing fine.

[Edinburgh west]

Thanks for your input. Could someone recommend any loft ideas for it facing north. Would a pent or apex loft be better and what would be easier to fit polycarbonate sheets on to let the sun in through the roof. Thanks chris

[THE FIFER]

something like my loft which apart from the vents not too open, and has a corridor full length so birds are set back, has 3 compartments, and plenty light getting in

PS(my loft faces south}

[JCN]

Chris, having a North facing loft I'd recommend polycarbonate along top half of full front and possibly on sides to maximise light. Heavy polycarbonate atleast 16mm multiwall will help maintain decent temperature within loft

[Edinburgh west]

Do you think it would be difficult to put skylights along the roof to let the sun in and also warm the loft up.

[Roland]

Often thought as a great idea. Depending on system I guess. Some -

like the Widowerhood flyers, like the dark for rest and etc. Others like the idea that the birds can see and know at all times where they are etc. Migrating birds use the Stars for navigating / homing the same?

[ovy1255]

Think this for young birds.