Babybird Posted June 1, 2009 Report Posted June 1, 2009 I am needing some help starting my newloft. I have an 8 x 6 shed to convert and a big bit stuck as where to start. Flooring,? ventilation? sunlight? Aviary? It is to be a home for white homing birds that wont be racing but will be flying on a regular basis from ceremonies. How many could comfortably live here? Gonna have 2 fantails as well.How many boxes? perches? I want my birds to have a happy and healthy life and hope you guys will be able to offer me some sound advice
just ask me Posted June 1, 2009 Report Posted June 1, 2009 http://forum.pigeonbasics.com/m-1151691929/s-0 some pics here there might be something in there that u can use as they say a picture tells a 1000 words
Guest bigda Posted June 1, 2009 Report Posted June 1, 2009 not to sure on your fan tail covering many miles your white racing birds no trouble as long as they are schooled well, face your shed east if its wedding and funerals you intend to do as the will need the sun early keep no more than 24 birds with deep layers of shavings, big roomy box perches 6-8 bird pens again with deep filled shavings to keep your selected birds clean the ones that are going to there work, have 2 sections in your shed cocks and hens have nest boxes 4 of as you will not be needing a lot of birds put in a glass window one vent down low a wired ceiling and a row of 3" vents circular type at and along the back facining west hope this help you mate change your water every day, dont leave food lying about, you can put a wire door on in the summer time
OLDYELLOW Posted June 3, 2009 Report Posted June 3, 2009 http://forum.pigeonbasics.com/m-1151691929/s-0 some pics here there might be something in there that u can use as they say a picture tells a 1000 words im sure that sayings familar ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
DAVIDL Posted June 3, 2009 Report Posted June 3, 2009 wouldnt keep any more than about 16 max, and thats if you have an aviary added of course.....
just ask me Posted June 4, 2009 Report Posted June 4, 2009 im sure that sayings familar ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D the old ones the best ;) ;D ;D ;D
Babybird Posted June 5, 2009 Author Report Posted June 5, 2009 wondering what a wired ceiling does? what happens if they are not separated? how many times a year do the hens lay eggs? are there any special requirements for young birds? what is meant by natural way instead of widowhood? just a few things spinning round my head today!
Babybird Posted July 3, 2009 Author Report Posted July 3, 2009 wondering what a wired ceiling does? what happens if they are not separated? how many times a year do the hens lay eggs? are there any special requirements for young birds? what is meant by natural way instead of widowhood? just a few things spinning round my head today! here is what I learned from the answers on pms from folk. 1. helps you catch them unless you have 3 foot arms, doesnt matter in my shed as the ceiling is quite low 2. summer season (ish) can be often if you don't let them hatch don'thave to worry about yb's this year, when it gets colder they loose interest 3. not really just feed them the right amount, ventilation, sunshine, dryness, water, watch they don't fly away and not know where to come home to 4.widowhood thingy is complicated, watch a video on u tube a wee indian bloke, natural way still not quite sure, free range in the shed but not good as the cocks are pretty like teenage boys and pester the hens, too many eggs and calcium deficiency can be a problem Please anybody feel free to comment /correct me
Peckedhen Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 Best to separate them - give the hens a break! If you dont want to risk fantail cock mating with racers they will need to be kept separately too. Best advice I had was to have a sheet of hardboard hinged to loft roof, it swings down over sputnik/windows to darken loft and you can basket the birds in a couple of minutes, they sit on the perches waiting to be picked off. The hens will lay all year but slow down in the colder months. You don't need to worry about natural/widowhood as you're not racing.
Peckedhen Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 Photo of my loft It is 12x6 divided in two, one half for breeding, the other YBs. The sputnik doubles as an aviary/trap/bath area and YBs can look out to learn where they live. It is made so either or both sections can go into it. I have vents at the bottom front and gaps under the eaves at the back (filled with crushed chicken wire since I saw a stoat).
Babybird Posted July 3, 2009 Author Report Posted July 3, 2009 very nice,a lot like mine but mine is smaller and just contains YB's at the moment. Gonna make an extension if Boe lets me
Guest Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 Now where have i seen those birds before Looks a nice set up Iona
Guest Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 Now where have i seen those birds before Looks a nice set up Iona its Seona , not iona ,dont make the same mistake as me .......youll get your ear bent . andy.
Peckedhen Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 very nice,a lot like mine but mine is smaller and just contains YB's at the moment. Gonna make an extension if Boe lets me Looks good. Have you got ventilation in there? Breeding loft - I bought the fronts then bullied OH into building boxes to fit them.
Babybird Posted July 3, 2009 Author Report Posted July 3, 2009 There is small holes drilled along the top of the door and two plastic vents at the rear Don't have any breeding facilities, am hoping the stork doesn't visit Seona P.S Hi Julie x
Guest briancol Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 hi babybird, thats a nice home made,(i preseme) sputnik, any chance you'd lets have a foto with the landing board down to see whats behind it,. is it ok if i copy ur design. thanks.
Guest Owen Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 Read my reply to the thread on good bacteria. It might be of interest to you.
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