widowhood question

[Guest bristolkev]

this is my first season flying widowhood and would like to know how many days before the first race till i part the cocks off so that they start widowhood. also do i train the cocks whilst driving their hens or when they are sitting their 2nd round of eggs.........thanks kev

[schyphos]

Hi Kev,

 

I have 3 w/h sections that i pair up at different times.You don't say when your first race is,but mine is on 7th April and i will be pairing up 10th March then i will train the cocks when they are driving.This will ensure that they are racing home,you will find that once the hen has laid the cocks feel they have done their job and aren't as keen.I will let them sit for 5 days and remove the hen.They are on w/h around 2 weeks before the first race.Hope this helps.

[Tony C]

There's many different ways of going about it. This year I will be sending them to their first race (April 14) sitting. At the moment they are on 5 day old babies, the hens along with one of the babies will be removed on or around the 13th of this month, I will repair them on the 27th of this month. As for me training them I will start them off when I pair them back up BUT the weather has to be good. The hens will be removed again on the Thursday (April 12) prior to the first race, when the cocks return from that race they'll be on w/hood from then on in.

[Guest bristolkev]

do i also start the widowhood feed 2 weeks before first race? and do i break them down or still feed full widowhood mix?

[Pompey Mick]

Kev, do yourself a favour and get a copy of Dave Allen   'The  Widowhood  Year'

It will tell you  all you need to know  about Widowhood,  The Widowhood bible for those new to this method of racing.

Mick

[Guest bristolkev]

ok mick,thanks for replys guys

[Mike Lycett]

Kev

 

If you're allowing them to sit a 2nd round of eggs don't let them sit for more than a week.  When did you pair up?

[NANCYVIEWLOFTS]

dont start breaking them down until you have built them up

also go by the weather

if its cold north east winds keep them on widow mix

even in the warmer weather feed according to the WEATHER?WIND AND DISTANCE of race

almost all books are informative but you will have to read between the lines ie

follow the weather forcasts on line for each week watching what the weather and wind is for that particular weekend

if you fly the south route  and its given a strong SOUTH wind and you are only flying say 80 miles then they dont need lifting as soon

[Guest bristolkev]

mike......my birds were paired on the 2nd of jan and youngsters have just been parted.also when exercising the w/h cocks do you lock all other birds out of  sight from them including stock birds?

[Guest bristolkev]

which is best for trapping w/h cocks open door or stall trap?

[Sally McQueen]

We found that going through open doors is better.  Doors open, down and straight in to their box (or thats how it shoud go).

 

Good luck  

[Guest CS]

Good luck with your new system (widowood) - let us know how you do with your widowood in the end of season . im thinking about race widowood next year...

[Beanz]

BEST TRAPPING SYSTEM FOR WIDOWHOOD COCKS IS WITHOUT DOUBT OPEN DOORS.

 

                                                            Paul