New Pigeon Flyer

[BigBobbyBear]

Hi everyone,

 

i am in my first season, i am not a loft or bird owner at present, however i have been watching with interest a local loft for the past year. I have been bitten by the bug and want to set up my own loft. I am going on holiday soon, therefore i plan to prepare the loft prior to the holiday and then stock it on my return.

 

My question to all is, is this a good time to set up?

 

i dont wish to compete this season but would like to be set up for next, any advice would be appreciatted?

 

i am facinated by the whole science behind it and dont see myself as highly competative but i would compete.

 

also is this a good time to purchase stock birds or young birds to train (mid August)?

 

I am in the Airdrie area and would like to know who i contact for a local club.

 

Thanks in advance.

[OLDYELLOW]

Welcome To Pigeon Basics BigBobbyBear , Glad to have you on board , personaly i'd set the loft up this year but dont stock it , join your local club and join as a member and ask the secatary to ask the members to breed you some birds for next year , these will be free or alternatively ask club if theres an old hand thats close that needs help that way you can get some free experience

[BigBobbyBear]

Welcome To Pigeon Basics BigBobbyBear , Glad to have you on board , personaly i'd set the loft up this year but dont stock it , join your local club and join as a member and ask the secatary to ask the members to breed you some birds for next year , these will be free or alternatively ask club if theres an old hand thats close that needs help that way you can get some free experience

 

thanks

should I not get birds to familiarise with the loft

[OLDYELLOW]

you could get late breds now but imo they'll only be good for breeding stock but you'd be loking to pair Febuary time . If Start next year with young birds no need to have a stock loft then there wintering them

[JohnQuinn]

If you want doos about you just now, you could get latebreds and have them flying in and out. I wouldn't breed from them next year as they ,imo, would be too young for breeding from, but race them separately (celibate) out to about 250mls next year. In the meantime, you could arrange to get a young bird team bred for racing next season, from the local fanciers in Airdrie and surrounding area, where i can assure you there are many top fanciers racing into.

This way you are in from the start of next year and can take things from there. jmo

[OLDYELLOW]

from experience with late breds they can be very disapointing for racing , i certainly dont like wintering them and watch them go down like flys as yearlings trying to race them only time i keep a latebred is for breeding

[geordie1234]

well ive started up this year and dont intend on racing either but i did get my hands on latebreds and im getting more this means i can get learn to look after them right making sure they are healthy etc and generally muck about then come next year i will possibly use my latebreds for feeders and i will be getting good young birds from different people as well that i can start racing from there onwards

[BigBobbyBear]

Yes that was the point, i would like to get some birds to make sure i know what i am doing for next season then at least i have an idea what to do next season.

[BigBobbyBear]

As i had said probably have the loft up and sorted for returning from hols mid august this year, is that too late for what you call late bird stock? also do i join local club first?

[OLDYELLOW]

As i had said probably have the loft up and sorted for returning from hols mid august this year, is that too late for what you call late bird stock? also do i join local club first?

 

I'd enquire about joining a club first then you may get a few latebreds into the bargain they'll be to late to breed early but probably better for flying natural with ybs for first year

[geordie1234]

thats one thing i dont understand flying natural or widowhood etc

[OLDYELLOW]

thats one thing i dont understand flying natural or widowhood etc

 

well ybs can be kept either natural or darkness , natural as in left to moult naturaly , darkness where the moult is forced as this seems to improve ybs performance and are in better feather than the naturals who will shed there flytes and the darkness birds will hold them giving them better feather and a fuller wing

 

you can race in a few ways also : widowhood ( cocks raced only ) roundabout both sexes raced but seperated like the widowhood but two similar lofts , and last but not least natural where birds will be prepaired to the nest of there liking be it eggs , eggs chiping , new chipped yb , 6/7 day old yb or a big yb ectra or even dummy eggs or a floated yb ticking egg adding ectra eggs and so on descripton minimal , normaly room for loft and available time dictates how you will fly / keep your birds

[BigBobbyBear]

well ybs can be kept either natural or darkness , natural as in left to moult naturaly , darkness where the moult is forced as this seems to improve ybs performance and are in better feather than the naturals who will shed there flytes and the darkness birds will hold them giving them better feather and a fuller wing

 

you can race in a few ways also : widowhood ( cocks raced only ) roundabout both sexes raced but seperated like the widowhood but two similar lofts , and last but not least natural where birds will be prepaired to the nest of there liking be it eggs , eggs chiping , new chipped yb , 6/7 day old yb or a big yb ectra or even dummy eggs or a floated yb ticking egg adding ectra eggs and so on descripton minimal , normaly room for loft and available time dictates how you will fly / keep your birds

 

my god I have a lot to learn:)

[geordie1234]

well old yellow if you were me just started getting birds together last few weeks got a ten by six lof two sections but already planning a 3rd sections how would you fly mate. Ive been told ybs on the darkness dont become good 2 year olds good ybs okay yearlings but never great old birds

[dicie]

my god I have a lot to learn:)

 

 

Dont worry bout it, enjoy them, every fancier on here learns something new every day i wud hazard a guess... Get your hands on a few birds, keep you interested while waiting to start up proper. All the very best for the future, and remember, always use sunscreen....

[just ask me]

there is a advantage on the darkness system but i think every new fancier should see his birds moulting and learn how the birds lose there flights etc

[geordie1234]

thanks for the advice guys

[Guest spin cycle]

Dont worry bout it, enjoy them, every fancier on here learns something new every day i wud hazard a guess... Get your hands on a few birds, keep you interested while waiting to start up proper. All the very best for the future, and remember, always use sunscreen....

 

good advice...enjoy setting up...like OY i wouldn't go for to many late breds.you could get a loft sorted with a trap enclosed with a temporary aviary...perhaps a couple pair of ex racer stock ( from local loft)..keep them in 'til they have ybs in jan then let them out (break them). this will get you birds flying round to help hold your ybs. many other ways though so its JMO best of luck and enjoy

[geordie1234]

good advice...enjoy setting up...like OY i wouldn't go for to many late breds.you could get a loft sorted with a trap enclosed with a temporary aviary...perhaps a couple pair of ex racer stock ( from local loft)..keep them in 'til they have ybs in jan then let them out (break them). this will get you birds flying round to help hold your ybs. many other ways though so its JMO best of luck and enjoy

im beginning to think i should have waited till the new season and just started with ybs but i was desperate to get involved so now i have some ybs going roundabout and trapping no prob and more on the way suppose it gets me used to it and the neighbours cant wait for next year tho

[OLDYELLOW]

well old yellow if you were me just started getting birds together last few weeks got a ten by six lof two sections but already planning a 3rd sections how would you fly mate. Ive been told ybs on the darkness dont become good 2 year olds good ybs okay yearlings but never great old birds

 

i keep my ybs natural the reason for this is for many years i see great ybs seasons on darkness and then as yearlings they drop like flies , so id rather train rather than race as ybs let them moult naturaly well i would go for widowhood as simple and less work , however i'd race the hens as well i'd race the hens early season and bring the cocks out when warms up yearlings dont like the cold early on either But as were talking about a novice i think natural would give a new starter a better feel / understanding of pigeons the moult ectra , but if had stock could watch them and race widowhood

[geordie1234]

THANKS MATE FOR THE DETAILED ANSWER

 

ON THE YB DARKNESS THING I WAS TALKING TO A GOOD DOOMAN AND HE WAS SPEAKING TO A GUY IN HOLLAND WHERE THE DARKNESS ORIGINALLY CAME FROM A BELIEVE AND HE SAID THE ONLY GUYS THAT DO DARKNESS ARE THE GUYS WHO ONLY DO YB RACING THEN CLEAR THERE LOFT AND START AGAIN EVERY YEAR SO IT MAKES SENSE.

[OLDYELLOW]

THANKS MATE FOR THE DETAILED ANSWER

 

ON THE YB DARKNESS THING I WAS TALKING TO A GOOD DOOMAN AND HE WAS SPEAKING TO A GUY IN HOLLAND WHERE THE DARKNESS ORIGINALLY CAME FROM A BELIEVE AND HE SAID THE ONLY GUYS THAT DO DARKNESS ARE THE GUYS WHO ONLY DO YB RACING THEN CLEAR THERE LOFT AND START AGAIN EVERY YEAR SO IT MAKES SENSE.

At the end of the day you will ultimately decide on how you will go on , however there's much to learn and like most were all still learning whatever you decide enjoy your birds most big lofts have room for two teams they hammer darkies and lightly race naturals , if had room i think if rested as yearling and left to mature a year i think they'd make good 2 year olds but like most space is at a premium hence im still natural with ybs

[BigBobbyBear]

Old Yellow, your detailed replies are very welcome, thanks a lot, you aswell GEO a lot of questions i never thought about all the best

[Guest Tooshy Boy]

BIGBOBBYBEAR. YOU ARE WELLCOME TO COME AND HAVE A LOOK AT OUR CLUB WE ARE THEIR EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE TOTE DRAW. T.POTTER sec 01236 763957.//TOOSHY BOY.// CLARKSTON &DIST

[OLDYELLOW]

BIGBOBBYBEAR. YOU ARE WELLCOME TO COME AND HAVE A LOOK AT OUR CLUB WE ARE THEIR EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE TOTE DRAW. T.POTTER sec 01236 763957.//TOOSHY BOY.// CLARKSTON &DIST

 

Great offer be even better to ask him down as a guess at your basketing get a few loft visits in for him might pick a few tips ideas up and even a few latebreds