Open hole

[Babybird]

Hi guys,

I am now getting used to seeing my birds out and like it much better them being out and about in the garden and on the roofs. Is there a way where I can have them out for most of the day and feed them inside at night? I wont be racing my birds just releasing them, will I loose some control over them? be more open to predators? or more streetwise? :-/

[LDS JOHNSON]

i think ud lose control and they would be more open to predators y dont u get dove cote then theyl be out all the time  

[pjc]

better to keep control of them, excercise in the morning then feed in, then let them out for evening excercixe before main feed but bop's etc will have a field day if left out.

Not only that if you have birds sat arround on neighbours roofs all day you will start to get complaints.

There is nothing wrong with leaving them out for a few hours occasionaly while you are in the garden, give them a bath etc and limited freedom but control id key!

 

Phil

[Guest slugmonkey]

open hole is the only way to go

sprint birds in a big club with 1000+ birds per race need control

consistent all distance birds will benifit greatly from open hole

[Peckedhen]

I had mine on open hole and thought that it was great...... until a cat managed to get in the loft with them! >  :'(  I NEVER leave the trap open now, unless I am there!

[Guest strapper]

when i used open hole i regulary scored well in the fed...even topping it.

cats stopped me doing that . after topping the fed 6weeks later cat had the fed topper.

youve got to make the birds WANT to come home!....and not just come home!

[Guest slugmonkey]

I have 2 big dogs and 2 cats this keeps everything else at bay

I give open hole about 365 days a year I keep food on the floor most of the time

and my birds are in the trees, on the ground, on the house, and sitting on the wires I live in the middle so you cant cry overfly, last season I won a race EVERY week! we have a guy who had 26 miles of overfly he moved and is less than 5 miles from me he has his birds out over 100 miles already and when he opens the trap they go out and when he wistles they come in is there any wagers on what happens when we hit 200 miles or longer???

he WILL be tough on the 100 mile races but if its real fast ( I own all 4 club speed records ob/yb 100/200 miles as well as national 200 mile speed record although not official yet ) or it gets tough I will own his a#%

for my money you cannot beat open hole

[wilkins]

what do you feed them on slugmonkey to get them to fly whilst on the open hole

[chickadee]

Duncan can give you one of these, they can be out all day but at any time you can control them

He fitted two to Billy's loft when he was in hospital and kept them when he dismantled his lofts, not sure if he has two but he definately has one, or alternitively they are very easy to make

[Babybird]

That would be lovely, thank you, could pick it up with my next installment

[wilkins]

they look good, how is the balance judged

[chickadee]

That would be lovely, thank you, could pick it up with my next installment

 

We are coming to my parents in Penicuik on Monday if you want to meet us, I will phone you later

[chickadee]

they look good, how is the balance judged

 

Not a clue, I will ask Duncan when he gets in, I guess it is just trial and error and just enough to allow the pigeon to land on it. I know he has used pipe, bungee cord and lead weights on some

 

[wilkins]

would love the plan on how they were made , would help me out no end

[Babybird]

 

We are coming to my parents in Penicuik on Monday if you want to meet us, I will phone you later

 

I am off to London tomorrow until Thursday. Boe is looking after the birds, he has been getting to know them this week. Baby is great and so tame  

[chickadee]

would love the plan on how they were made , would help me out no end

 

I will see what I can do, if he has another one you can have it I am sure, where are you from?

[blaz]

i have all my birds on open hole.yb season.i let yb,s out 1st then when yb,s have done their flying.i then let ob out .which get the yb,s back on the wing, i do reverse in ob season.works for me.i also have 3 cats and 2 dogs which stop most intruders.all my old birds will lift of roof and fly when i whistle.yb,s are just learning this. whistle then if birds dont take off i throw a ball up.the birds soon learn.by the time next year comes all no the score.

[Guest slugmonkey]

about 30% corn

20% peas

10% safflower

10% wheat

20% black oil sunflower

10% milo