pigeons ,,streetwise

[jimmy white]

, i think it would be safe to say, that most fanciers have had sparrow hawk attacks

,  i  have tried two methods. i,e letting them out for an hour or so,each day  in the winter,,, and keeping them in all winter,

, i have personally found , that  when  pigeons have been kept in for months , they are more vulnerable to hawks , when  eventually let out  ,,,  have found ive  lost more to the   sparrow hawks, this way,

 

pigeons that have been out regular , seem to become  sharper, keep healthier, also build up a good immune system[and allthough mr sparrow hawk will still get the odd one ],,,,, in my opinion these pigeons become more" street wise" and soon know very quickly if theres any sparrow hawks in the vicinity , by thir own sharpness ,and warning  calls of other birds etc,, maybe some thoughts on this!!  

[doo]

Spot on Jimmy ......my we pals brds are out all winter & he does get the odd attack ......but when everyone starts letting brirds out mr hawk seems to prefer the other birds to my mates ....are they easier to catch ?

[Guest IB]

I think it's best not to keep the birds confined, fitness alone is a good reason. My winter routine, because I work, the birds can only get out Saturday (cocks) and Sunday (hens). The weather's been gales & heavy rain during December, so they didn't get out for a month, and it showed, especially the hens - I'd to chase them out first 2 Sundays after that..

 

But that's from my own experience in my own area, other lofts might have a lot more problems with raptors than me. I've had a sparrowhawk in my garden only once, and I  believe that was because the pigeon wasn't as alert as she should have been, watching and listening to what was going on around her. Raptors attract other wild birds' attention and these birds cause a right commotion and crows especially will mob it, so all other birds including racing pigeons should take a cue from that and get airborne and high as quick as they can, and if it's still above them, or they feel threatened, mine will leave the area for 10/15 minutes till the coast is clear again, when they will come back to the loft and act as if nothing unusual had happened to them.  

[pjc]

spot on Jimmy, as you know i've mentioned this a few times on threads!

 

Phil

[PATTY BHOY]

good post Jimmy.

[andrecrock]

I wish i had the opportunity to let my birds out in the winter.My problem is our land is part of the local shoot. 8)

[pjc]

if the shooters can't tell the difference between racers and woody's they shouldn't have guns!

[greenlands]

Totally agree Jimmy,i watch the street pigeons coming from the town going to the fields,they go like hell hardly twenty foot off the ground,they at least don't give the peregrine a chance.

[cemetary]

When i have the birds out having a bath etc, the local scuts let them no when anything is about, they dont fly high if percy is about.

[mazzie]

guys have any of you tried strobelights on top of the loft , been told the work with great success

[micko and jack]

CHAIRDE  FRIENDS

the loft is split in two

hens one side cocks the other

jacks out at the loft every day apart from when its raining

cocks out

hens in aviary

loft scraped water changed

cocks in

hens out

we try and have the birds as often as possible  

[cemetary]

Touch wood, Catlae Lofts and Rembrant2coo heeds, i dont get any bother with them about me.  

[weecunny]

if mr hawks starvin he will get his dinner no matter what so a just let them oot daily  and if there there on friday they go ti race

[cemetary]

Another dafty joined the thread,  ;D ;D ;D

 

They are all over the place, no matter where you train, yer right weecunny, keep them beside you mate, wheres the other dafty.  ;D ;D ;D

[weecunny]

dinni ken mate gettin pissed mibi