newcomer seeks advice

[coey]

hi. i am new to this sport and was wondering if anybody could give advice on what to place on the loft floor to make cleaning easier. i was told to use sawdust but it blew every where when the birds flew up to the perches. i have also been advised sand, is  this any good? i only have 4 birds at moment, due to losing 13 in one day while letting them out to exercise,so cleaning is not difficult at moment.

[jimbobboy]

Hi Coevy: I've never used sand, but I'm now using ground up corn cob! I buy at local feed dealer have to watch some dealers try an make their own, and if isn,t sterile or heated it will mold!!  Mine comes packaged in plastic. Also you may want to make yourseld a settling cage for your youngsters!!   Good Luck   jimbobboy

[thunderboult]

hi  coey  why don't you leave it clear it's easy enough to clean with a scrapper , as for the birds you lost were they really young when you let em out or a bit older(strong on the wing) and did you put them on the loft roof in a basket for a couple of days as this can help them get to know their surroundings first.

[coey]

what would a settling cage consist of? and how does it work? thanks.

[Guest]

Versela Laga do a floor dressing and its great. I know a fancier who used sand for years but this stuff has no dust , is designed for the job . I would give it a go if you sont want to use the old scrapper

[coey]

hi thunderbolt. i had bought 18 birds off 3 different people out the bhw when they still had yellow feathers. they was flying around the house for just  over 6 weeks when i lost them. it was a bit of a blow as i had saved up to buy the loft which cost £1350 then the price of the young birds. i havent got a basket at the moment, with me only having 4 birds i have decided to halt things till next season

 

[Guest]

hi. i am new to this sport and was wondering if anybody could give advice on what to place on the loft floor to make cleaning easier. i was told to use sawdust but it blew every where when the birds flew up to the perches. i have also been advised sand, is  this any good? i only have 4 birds at moment, due to losing 13 in one day while letting them out to exercise,so cleaning is not difficult at moment.

 

when breaking in new birds make sure they aint full of food and aint spooked,just put a bath in front of the cot and let them do wot they want...then when they have had a while out chuck some corn into the cot...when they are all in then go in slowly and feed them calling them when dropping food,this will be a signal each time they got food coming and should after a while of doing it ,come readily to u.

but dont ever feed them and let them out...especially when the sun is fully up in the sky!...tip is  , to keep them hungry but not starving,when letting them out...and remember over feeding is just as bad as under feeding...both causes problems...paul

[thunderboult]

a settling cage is just a box you put on the shed so new birds can have a look around before you let them out like putting them in a crate/basket on the loft roof or build a avairy off the shed and they'll spend all day in there  , just somewhere where they can see their surroundings to get to know the area

[coey]

thanks paul. how much food is adequate? i was told a medicine measuring cup,so thats what i feed them.

[coey]

the loft is fitted with sputniks and they sat in there looking about,is that good enough?

[coey]

thanks geraint. where would i be able to enquire about that product?

[madmaxlofts]

ive got a grided floor

but my mate uses kiln dried sand he swears by it, he sives it and says nowt lives in sand so id maybe give this a go if i was in your position

[Guest]

thanks paul. how much food is adequate? i was told a medicine measuring cup,so thats what i feed them.

 

depends wot u fed as some will say when one bird goes for a drink its usually time to take food away but some eat faster then others . if u have 4 birds then they wont require much feeding.if they leave food then dont feed so much next time,lower the amount till u have the right balance , but as i said earlier...dont over feed or they will play u up rotten.keep them lean to keep them keen u could say...hope u find the right balance ....paul.

[Guest]

thanks geraint. where would i be able to enquire about that product?

 

 

Try your local corn merchant, if they havent got it they more than likley can get it for you.

 

[coey]

thanks a lot

[Guest]

hi thunderbolt. i had bought 18 birds off 3 different people out the bhw when they still had yellow feathers. they was flying around the house for just  over 6 weeks when i lost them. it was a bit of a blow as i had saved up to buy the loft which cost £1350 then the price of the young birds. i havent got a basket at the moment, with me only having 4 birds i have decided to halt things till next season

 

Hi Coey real sorry about your birds, know you were originally asking about a floor dressing, but if I'd like to offer you a bit of hope on the lost pigeons because if I'm reading your post right, your new birds were actually flying out for around 6 weeks before you lost them?

 

If this is right, then the birds should work back, probably in ones and twos. Even if they have had a scare they will be hanging around the area.

 

If your remaining 4 birds are broken to your loft, that is they are flying out and coming back home no bother, then use these to bring the others down. Put them out unfed, and try to keep them out for as long as possible each day, if they fly up to your house roof and down again even better, point is to attract your other birds and give them the confidence to come down and come in. When a lost bird does come in, just a light pick for its first feed, 1 tablespoon of food, and keep it in for a day or so.

 

The other thing is as the lost birds have been out in the wild drinking and eating goodness knows what, put around 10ml [tablespoon] of cider vinegar in the drinker which will both protect your remaining 4 pigeons from picking anything up and help clean out anything nasty that the lost ones have been into, before it gets a chance to take hold.

 

Best wishes.

 

[coey]

thanks bruno. i lost the birds on the 11-07-07. i had a bird reported the same day in milthorpe cumbria. as i  had lost most of my birds, and spent all i could afford on the loft and birds, i was going to pack it up so offered the bird to the person who had it. my girlfriend convinced me to continue to keep birds thats why i kept the last 4. i just hope i dont have the same problem next year. with me not working  makes it difficult to keep buying birds.

[bewted]

coey,,,,where do you live?

[swilcox]

Coey

 

Grills are a great way to reduce work and keep your pigeons healthy and your shoes clean!!! Take a look at my pictures. They also take away cocci and worms as a serious problem in your loft!!!

 

All the best

 

Stuart Wilcox

[coey]

thanks swilcox. how do i view your pics? as i am new to this site. thanks.

[coey]

hi bewted. i live in birkenhead(by liverpool).

[bewted]

are you racing ybs next year coey?

[coey]

i am hoping to,unless i have dificulties like this year. if i do have these difficulties i will be packing up.

[bewted]

if you want,i will breed you 6 ybs next year free of charge,just pay amtrac,up to you if you want them?  

 

                                ted

[coey]

thats very generous of you ted. i would be very grateful for them. thanks mate.