Peckedhen Posted January 11, 2006 Report Posted January 11, 2006 Any ideas what I should try next? I now have two birds sitting in a nest bowl in the young bird loft - OK, they're in the wrong place but at least I know they are a pair! In my other loft I have three nest boxes waiting (but closed) at the moment. There is a shelf with a small grid on either side of the loft. I have two cocks in here which have each a side. On Monday I put in, what I hope are, my two new hens............ a fancier friend came to help and he was expecting the cocks to spin and bow to the hens..........they did not react, except to chase the 'hens' off their shelf. :-/ One 'hen' stood its ground and took the grid,( the cock now perches on the wood at the side) So, I'm not even sure that I have two cocks and two hens (though the guy I bought the hens from said that he was 100% certain they are). Now what do I do? Just wait and let nature take it's course? Leave the established pair where they are? This pigeon lark is WAY harder than it says in the books! My friend has paired his 60 birds with no problem but mine have him stumped! :-/ :-/ :-/ :-/ A very confused Peckedhen. :-/ :
aarden Posted January 11, 2006 Report Posted January 11, 2006 i had a similar problem,so i went to local auction and brought a cheap cock that was roaring his head off and put him in the loft,i soon found out what was a hen or a cock,you have time on your side with your breeding plans
snowy Posted January 11, 2006 Report Posted January 11, 2006 peckedhen, put your pair in the breeding loft & lock them in a box together with the bowl, now they have paired up, put some straw/hay in, & observe as much as you can from a distance, & make sure the others are actually pairs, buy putting in another few nest bowls in different locations, hope this helps
Peckedhen Posted January 11, 2006 Author Report Posted January 11, 2006 Thanks. So I lock them in for how long? If I open the box will one of the unpaired cocks cause trouble if it decides to go in? :-/
Guest Posted January 11, 2006 Report Posted January 11, 2006 I think you have two cocks ok, Peckedhen, but I wonder if they are sexually mature enough to pair with your hens? I assume they are all 2005 birds, any idea what month the 4 birds hatched?
Peckedhen Posted January 11, 2006 Author Report Posted January 11, 2006 Hi Bruno, one cock is 04, the other is early bred 05 so they should be sexually mature? The hens are 03 and 04.
Guest Posted January 12, 2006 Report Posted January 12, 2006 Hi Bruno, one cock is 04, the other is early bred 05 so they should be sexually mature? The hens are 03 and 04. Would agree that these birds ARE sexually mature AND sexes guaranteed. Unless you have more than one section in your young bird loft, you'll need to move the successful pairing into one of your nest boxes. Otherwise they'll cause problems for your youngsters from the breeding loft as the cock probably won't tolerate them. Lock them in their box until the others pair up. Would just let the other 4 birds have the run of the breeding section (open the two boxes) and wait till they pair off. ONE down TWO to go!!! ;D
Peckedhen Posted January 12, 2006 Author Report Posted January 12, 2006 I'll go and move them right now. I'm better at 'catching' them in the dark! :
snowy Posted January 12, 2006 Report Posted January 12, 2006 good luck pecked hen, remember, once i have 2 youngsters homed off my 3 logans left, you are welcome to the rest, good luck
Peckedhen Posted January 12, 2006 Author Report Posted January 12, 2006 Thanks again Snowy, You're a star. :K) :K)
Peckedhen Posted January 13, 2006 Author Report Posted January 13, 2006 IT WORKED!!! ;D I've got two lots paired now in the breeding loft. The remaining two are either two cocks or are not sure what to do! I've put them in the young bird loft for the time being and I'll watch and hope that they pair. Thanks for the advice. Peckedhen
Peckedhen Posted January 15, 2006 Author Report Posted January 15, 2006 Two pairs aresettled and know their own box now. I've put the other two birds in, the cock is sitting in the nest bowl, the other bird is perching on the flap in front of it but not going inside....any ideas if this one is a cock or hen? I daren't shut them in togather in case they fight......... :-/
Guest Posted January 15, 2006 Report Posted January 15, 2006 Would say its a hen and interested, Peckedhen. Maybe still a bit wary of going into the box. Would try removing the nest front. Keep the other 2 pairs locked up while you try this.
Peckedhen Posted January 15, 2006 Author Report Posted January 15, 2006 LOL Bruno.........do I sound impatient? : Too true I am - I can't wait!! ;D ;D
Peckedhen Posted January 15, 2006 Author Report Posted January 15, 2006 LOL Bruno.........do I sound impatient? : Too true I am - I can't wait!! ;D ;D
jimmy white Posted January 15, 2006 Report Posted January 15, 2006 :)good luck pecked hen, your getting there now, you deserve it after all youve put in to it :)
snowy Posted January 16, 2006 Report Posted January 16, 2006 ;D great news peckedhen! your the star! :K) well done
Peckedhen Posted January 17, 2006 Author Report Posted January 17, 2006 LOL thanks guys. BINGO! All six are paired now!! I'm starting them on a breeding mix tomorrow ....is there not a pigeon aphrodisiac I can give them? ;D
Guest Posted January 18, 2006 Report Posted January 18, 2006 LOL thanks guys. BINGO! All six are paired now!! I'm starting them on a breeding mix tomorrow ....is there not a pigeon aphrodisiac I can give them? ;D Brilliant!!! ;D In a couple of months time you'll be asking 'is there not a pigeon contraceptive I can give them?' ;D ;D two reminders: (1) Have you got 2006 rings for your youngsters? (2) Would suggest that you buy 6 plastic eggs for later on, as after you have all the youngsters you want, they'll still keep laying (every month). Dispose of unwanted eggs and float the plastic eggs under them.
Peckedhen Posted January 18, 2006 Author Report Posted January 18, 2006 LOL ;D ;D Yes, I've bought some rings but I haven't got as far as plastic eggs yet...plenty of golf balls here...will they fool them? One question.........are the birds supposed to sleep together in the nestbowl/box? They don't seem to - one is in each box and the other on the door perch. Last night I put them all in the box and shut them in but I'm not sure whether I should just leave them or not? :-/
aarden Posted January 18, 2006 Report Posted January 18, 2006 peckedhen i locked mine up for four nites and days then they got the message where they should roost.in the same nest box
Guest shadow Posted January 19, 2006 Report Posted January 19, 2006 It's normal for the hen to cover the eggs at night and the cock will roost close by.
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