Pompey Mick Posted October 29, 2006 Report Posted October 29, 2006 I intend to try the Darkness System next season and I would like to know if the birds need access to water whilst they are in darkness. When I darken my loft I shall be blocking off the sputnik trap which holds my external drinker. Will I need to install an internal fountain during this period.
Mike Lycett Posted October 29, 2006 Report Posted October 29, 2006 When our YBs are darkened you can't see your hand in front of your face so I do'nt see a problem, Just ensure birds are thoroughly fed & watered before darkening down
mitch Posted October 29, 2006 Report Posted October 29, 2006 They dont need to be in total darkness so a fountain can be placed inside the loft
Guest Posted October 29, 2006 Report Posted October 29, 2006 Our birds are not on 100% dark and we always have the drinker inside the loft
Mike Lycett Posted October 29, 2006 Report Posted October 29, 2006 Our drinker stays in the loft & we're definitely 100% dark. Done it 50% - 100% over the last decade or so - 100% is best (in our experience).
Pompey Mick Posted October 29, 2006 Author Report Posted October 29, 2006 How do you darken to 100% Mike, do you make sure they are all perched up or have you a dimmer light?
Guest REDFOXKRAUTHS Posted October 29, 2006 Report Posted October 29, 2006 WOULD IT BE OK FOR ME TO HAVE ONE SECTION DARK AND ONE ON NORMAL
Mike Lycett Posted October 29, 2006 Report Posted October 29, 2006 We use black-out curtains - its TOTALLY dark. OPf course you can use one dark one not - the dark aint gonna move cos they ca'nt see owt
jimmy white Posted October 29, 2006 Report Posted October 29, 2006 i would always leave a drinker in for them , whilst on darkness system,, as to whether they take ,or need a drink? , at least its there for them, but the hours of darkness are going to be no more or less during the comming weeks , and even worse when its been freezing , they have to wait on you changing it :)
NANCYVIEWLOFTS Posted October 29, 2006 Report Posted October 29, 2006 whether you give them 100% dark or not just make sure your ventilation is right
maverick Posted October 29, 2006 Report Posted October 29, 2006 i have lights fitted to the loft that take around 1 hour to darken right down so the birds are given plenty time to perch it is just like it getting dark naturaly.
Mike Lycett Posted October 29, 2006 Report Posted October 29, 2006 whether you give them 100% dark or not just make sure your ventilation is right Absolutely - our vents are not obstructed in any way
me Posted October 29, 2006 Report Posted October 29, 2006 if you want to win afew young bird prizes over relatively short distances do what you like with then. If you want to race old birds over a number of years over long distances I'm afraid you will have to look after them properely
Mike Lycett Posted October 29, 2006 Report Posted October 29, 2006 Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Chris Little won Scotish National at 440 miles- darkness as baby - won 1st Open Cholet 557 miles only bird on the day - that was a darkness baby too. It don;t make no difference. They have it" or "they don't". Darkness don;t make no difference. We sent 1 to Bergerac 550+ miles - NE wind - won over £1000.00 He was a darkness baby too.
me Posted October 29, 2006 Report Posted October 29, 2006 i would take nothing away from these performances Mike, Mr and Mrs Littles bird especially fantastic performance but exceptions don't make the rule. If you want to time birds late at night after 17 hours on the wing darkness is not for you. guess i'm saying pigeons for courses.
Guest Paulo Posted October 30, 2006 Report Posted October 30, 2006 always a controversial subject the darkness
Mike Lycett Posted October 30, 2006 Report Posted October 30, 2006 Disagree to be honest "me" Its all about preparation - you can race the darkness as YBs and do very well at 500 miles plus. I can find you as many examples as you want. The thing is "most" aren't capable of hacking 14+ hrs on the wing - whether they were dark youngsters or not. They're special birds that are that resolute - but darkness has no bearing on it. Trust me, I've seen it shedloads of times verifying winners of 1st Open MNFc 1st Open MCC 1st Section NFC. Just speaking from experience here - not opinion
Guest Posted October 30, 2006 Report Posted October 30, 2006 All our 500 mile day birds have been on darkness as young birds
brerjr17 Posted February 24, 2007 Report Posted February 24, 2007 Tried darkness last season about 50%, left drinker in loft and had a very successful season, only my opinion, but did not want to cover all vents as did not want respiratory problems.
pigeonscout Posted February 24, 2007 Report Posted February 24, 2007 100% dark for me, feed the birds 1 hour 30 min's before you darken that gives the birds time to come down for 2nd drink as the first will be soaked up with the feed.
Guest Vic Posted February 24, 2007 Report Posted February 24, 2007 PigeonScout, You beat me to it. I do exactly likewise. Do you let them see the sun rise? Vic.
pigeonscout Posted February 24, 2007 Report Posted February 24, 2007 No Just 9 to 5 but what you say about sun rise is a good point as it has been said you will lost fewer young birds if they can see the sun rise. I am going to look into this more and if there is any proof that this is true I will then change my time from 7 till 3 and later on then 6 till 2.
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