Handling birds.

chubs · May 9, 2008

I've pretty much left my birds alone after reading advice but now i have started giving them the odd chuck it seems to stress them a fair bit when catching them up to basket them, they seem o.k when basketed but the catching them is not good, acting a fair bit wild.

What can be done to tame them down or will this just come with repetition? What do you old hands do!

james.

symbro · May 9, 2008

many people seem to like to use the trap door. chase them out the door when you let them fly and when you what to crate them... you place the crates against the trap door and chace them through. crate many birds in much less time and much less stress

Novice · May 9, 2008

There may be something else causing your birds to be wild and you only notice this when you attempt to basket them.

Check for mice hawk and cat visitors and if ok then that's good.

You can always basket in the dark or use the trap door method.

pjc · May 9, 2008

there is no need to stop handling your birds!

You will often see pictures of top flyers with birds sat on there shoulders, hands etc because the birds have a bond with the owner as well as the loft etc.

Quiet, calm birds are always happier.

Handle the birds well as babys and continue to handle them to keep them calm and never afraid of you, don't take birds of eggs etc just to handle them but pick them of the floor, perches etc.

When you catch them to basket them they will be much calmer.

Another good tip is to basket train your young birds when they are baby's so that they are used to being in a basket otherwise when you do basket them they won't know whats going on and will be stressed!

Phil

Peckedhen · May 9, 2008

Phil, You've rung a bell saying about not lifting the birds off eggs. I've just lifted all my birds off dummy eggs and pulled the eggs, in the hope that they all lay their next round at the same time- it's been difficult with lots of different age babies when people are buying several. Anyway, since I did this, the birds are acting really nervous of me - is this what's caused it?

James, I hinged a large sheet of thin ply so that it fastens up against the loft roof but, when I'm basketing, it swings down so it covers the window and darkens the loft. The birds just sit still as I pick them off the perches - much easier.

Sue

Merlin · May 9, 2008

there is no need to stop handling your birds!
You will often see pictures of top flyers with birds sat on there shoulders, hands etc because the birds have a bond with the owner as well as the loft etc.
Quiet, calm birds are always happier.
Handle the birds well as babys and continue to handle them to keep them calm and never afraid of you, don't take birds of eggs etc just to handle them but pick them of the floor, perches etc.
When you catch them to basket them they will be much calmer.
Another good tip is to basket train your young birds when they are baby's so that they are used to being in a basket otherwise when you do basket them they won't know whats going on and will be stressed!

You wont go far wrong if you follow the above,gain their trust,its easy enough to handle them then.

pjc · May 9, 2008

I would say yes Sue,

You have acted like a preditor and stolen there eggs they will need to regain confidence in that you arn't going to attack there nests again!

The 2 babes are doing well!

Phil

Peckedhen · May 9, 2008

Thanks Phil - wish I'd asked now before doing it!! :B

pjc · May 9, 2008

we all live and learn, but will never beet nature!

May 9, 2008

Only issue I have with running the birds into a basket is you are not really checking them before you put them away. Otherwise, stress-free way of doing it.

Many moons ago when a teenager I was told that birds shouldn't fly about within the loft, they should walk, and no bird should sit above your own eye level. Having things otherwise leads to wildness.

My sections are smallish (around 5 foot square) and ceiling height is around 6 foot so there's not a great deal of space for them to fly away from me. The main sections have deep box perches and nest boxes. When I walk toward the bird if it is going to move, it will retreat into the perch, and it is an easy matter to lift the pigeon from the perch or box - lift rather than catch - and I always 'grip' them very lightly. Same when birds are on the floor, pick them up rather than catch, and they are used to walking past me, and me walking past them .. always slow and deliberate, no sudden moves or noises.

I also keep a small team, so there is no hurry when basketing, I leave myself plenty time - 5/10 minutes tops for a dozen birds does it, and I also give them another 10/15 minutes to settle before we go. Same before lib, minimum 10 minutes to settle before they go. They have no fear of going into / being in the basket.

rembrant2coo · May 9, 2008

as for old birds try and train them to go to there boxs it is very easy then to basket once they go there you just lock the box till your ready to lift them and its very simple then you are still able to inspect them to see if there are o.k. to go to the race ,i always inspect my pigeons before they go ,they might have broken a flight or two you don,t know till you handle them , and make sure everything is o.k. with them , my own opinion its important you check before you send ,you don,t want to turn up at your club with some of your pigeons with tail feathers or flights missing scrawny bodies or bruises from hitting wires

i think its of paramount importance if you want to give the pigeon its benefits as well

maybe i,m old fashioned but thats the way i do it , sorry james its a long story mate

but its important all the best