What time of day do I feed my birds ?

[Guest cosmic dave]

I will be picking up my birds in a few weeks, I heard you let them out to fly hungry ? should I have some rice in a tin to rattle about before I feed the birds so they relate the sound to food (this way I could rattle it outside to let the birds know food is in the loft) What time of day do I feed the birds and do I leave the food in the loft or remove it after a set period of time ?

 

Cheers

 

David

[alex wight]

Keep them in the loft for a few days to settle down, and every time you feed them rattle the tin, keep rattling it whilst they eat. This lets them relate tin to food. Dont feed before letting out, ever. Feed them once a day for starters till you get into the routine you have planned for. I feed at night which i feel is best for this time of the year as it keeps them more settled and comfortable during the night. Hope this helps leave the food down for 4 minutes, then remove. They will soon learn to get straight in for the food.

[Guest cosmic dave]

That's great thanks, will the birds return to the loft to feed if I rattle the tin in the back garden ?

 

Cheers

[ALF]

You can feed your doos at any time you like but if you can stick to a routine Dave I work shifts early 1 week back the next so the birds have to get used to it mate as it's the only way i can doo it

 

if it's y/b's you are talking about feeding in fron tof them all the time when they are just out the nest  then feed twice a day when they are all up on the perches usually after a week or so but dont hold the feeding off them but when you feed them watch when some start to go to the drinker while others are still eating then it's time to lift the grub mate

[pjc]

give the baby's 2 feeds a day and get them used to you before you let them out.

Decide how you want to call them back in, shake tin, whistle etc then do that when feeding. Make sure they are hungry when you let them out that way when you call them they should come straight in.

[Guest cosmic dave]

Cool. how long would you suggest their first flight outside the loft should be ?

[pjc]

just let them walk about the loft, garden etc, you don't want them to come out and go straight up into the air. They will take to the air when they are ready.

They need to get used to the outside environment as well, let them have a bath infront of the loft etc and it will help settle them.

[Guest kevin b]

Cool. how long would you suggest their first flight outside the loft should be ?

 

There is no way of telling, the birds may stay on the loft for days before they start to fly and then only small lifts.

 

Dont rush them, be careful they will know when to fly and this may be the hardest time for you because you want to see them in the air, the longer they are not flying the better they know where they live, if they are happy to flit up and down to your roof or garden and become aclimitised thats more you will not lose.

Dont forget its not even March yet.