the best way

ryesway · January 17, 2009

hello all ,right this has probly been posted up before as some of you no im new to the sport this is my first year , ive paired my stock birds up just waiting for eggs now !! , wot i want to no is when my young are ready to let out, wot is the best age for them to be let out ? also any tips on getting them back in , ive read some books but they dont realy cover this point so any tips of you guys & girls would be much appreciated thanks alot ryan

Blue Tooner · January 17, 2009

Hello ryesway, what I always do is a few days after the young birds have been weaned I basket them up and put them outside the loft for a couple of hours to see their surroundings and they can watch the old birds coming and going. Then I take them one at a time and pop them in through the sputnik. I continue this for 2 - 3 days then instead of poppping them into the sputnik, I place them on the landing board and call them in, once they are going into the trap no problem I put them all onto the loft roof and call them in. Then when they can all reach the top perches, I just open the sputnik and let them come out as they please. It seems like a bit of work, but I find it pays dividends as I hardly lose any young birds off the loft.

Hope this helps.

Jumbo · January 17, 2009

Stuart you must be dead tired doing that al lday with the amount of youngsters you boys have.

January 17, 2009

i build a temporary aviary around the sputnik...let them get used to trap/have a good look round...then one day take roof off aviary and let them find their own way out. the aviary sides,i feel give some protection from hawk strikes and i can also put the roof on to keep them in for few days if i like. once they start ranging i take the aviary away completly...just what i do

alex wight · January 17, 2009

I also have sputniks, but i leave them open (when i,m there) and let the young birds come and go as they see fit. They wont go far. I feed mine at night so when they are about to come in its to the tin, always to the tin when feeding. I sometimes dont feed them the night before i,m due to let them out, which keeps them keen. So when the tins shaken the have something to come in for. alex.

Blue Tooner · January 17, 2009

Stuart you must be dead tired doing that al lday with the amount of youngsters you boys have.

I'm starting to need the exercise Jim, I turn 40 next month ye ken ??) ??)

January 17, 2009

Let them see/go out as soon as possible - before they can fly!

The most important thing is to train them that certain sounds mean food - i.e. rattling the corn tin, whistling etc. Always make sure you do this just before and whilst your feeding the just weaned youngsters. This means you will have some form of control over them once they're out.

If you're flying open door getting the youngsters used to going in and out is pretty easy - as soon as you feed them pick up each squeeker in turn and place it just outside the door - it'll run straight back in again. Gradually take them further and further away and they'll soon learn. The first time the youngsters go on the roof is a scary experience but just make sure you're there and that they're hungry when you let them out - 99.9% of the time you'll be able to get them back in again - be patient though - some can be a little stubborn!

Roland · January 17, 2009

Leave them in a basket, and train them into their new loft department.

Often use to put them through the traps a few times, not of late, but do feel this helps. Always move around 'ALL' birds slowly and talk to them. Then just leave the door open for them to walk in and out. Feed them in and talk to them.

Taylorsloft · January 17, 2009

I'm starting to need the exercise Jim, I turn 40 next month ye ken ??) ??) don't listen to anyone when they tell you life begins at forty cos its all downhill from now on

greenlands · January 17, 2009

Mine are out as soon as they are taken from their parents.For the first couple of days they might not feed too well make them come to your hand get them use with you.I sit in the loft door way and tice them to come out.They maybe won't for a day or so but once they see theres no danger the odd one will pop out the another will follow.DON'T leave them out on there own at that age if you get called away even for a minute get them in.

ps .i fly to open door