Darkening the loft down

[carl]

Hi i have been told once the race team (old/young) have had there traning toss darken them off slightly with curtains etc.Does anyone darken there lofts during the week..All info is good info...thanks people

[Guest]

Not sure what it is supposed to achieve, Carl.  

 

People around here train at different times too - early morning brigade are away in convoy at 4:45am., while others train after work 6-7pm.  

 

When's curtains up?  ;D

[carl]

After having birds out for training once the birds are fed & watered darken the loft slightly so birds get 100% rest.I know a very good flyer in my club and after he has his birds out they are closed in and darkened off and left alone to relax.same as widowhood cocks some have curtains up.just wondered if anyone does this

[speedbird]

think by darkening off would that not cause em to moult like the darkness system the ybs are on?

[Guest shadow]

most of the widowhood flyers That I know don't darken their lofts just make sure the cocks cannot see other birds flying about during the day they put plastic shutters up which are opaque, one even has net curtains which he draws across the windows

 

fly hard fly fair

[Silverdale Lofts]

we have a partnership in our area who let widowhood cocks exercise feed then are put on total darkness until the afternoon exercise feed then put on total darkness these birds see 3 hours of day light top prize winners in two clubs.

[jimmy white]

i can see a few trains of thought here, but would never darken the loft completely, never,  i used to paint the inside of w hood loft a quiet light blue, and put light blue curtains up, the inside of the loft was perfectly light. but this seemed to have a calming effect on the cocks,   they couldnt see out, and they seemed quite happy and peacefull, they raced brilliantly, but i had another loft of a few naturals, which had an open loft, i was able to do this at the place i kept them.at that time but as far as enjoying birds, and watching them, it would have to be natural

[carl]

Twilight i was told,not darkened off totaly.Rose as for enjoying a bath ect i think the birds still enjoy a bath and a lay about in the sun on a weekend after the race,they are just locked away during the week when the birds are expected to train.The partnership are top flyers in my club.I once poped my head in there loft as the loft was closed down all birds were sitting 100% relaxed on there perches it even felt relaxing to me.

[Mike Lycett]

Our OBs are never darkened & we are in front of the lofts all the time (small garden).   The birds relax - they just get used to you.   There are much bigger issues to sort out than realxing

[Guest]

Some people have tape recorders in their lofts over here and play low "Elevator Music" to the Windowhood Cocks.