Ventilation Top Or Bottom

October 14, 2012

Hi was wondering if I could get some views on ventilation?

Who thinks the cold fresh air should come from the floor?

Who thinks it should come from the roof?

Where would you say the best place for cold fresh air to come into your loft would be?

Thank you :emoticon-0157-sun:

October 14, 2012

Originally I built a loft with the usual sort of ventilation. Grills at the lower front and a 4" gap at the top front. The ceilings were made from wire mesh and later I put grills in the lower back. At the time I thought that I had more than enough ventilation and I used to think that if anything I had too much. I had constructed the loft to have a corridor running the whole length and there were doors to isolate one section from another.

Then frustration set in because my results were just not good enough. I had made 10th Club my own and week after week that was it. 10th Club over and over again.

After a lot of thought and a period of looking at lofts of successful people I decided to take the plunge and change things.

I built sloping aviaries on the front of the loft to see what would happen and eventually built a new loft entirely. The affects of the sloping aviaries was incredible. I was starting to challenge for the top 6 positions and I won a race here and there. The birds looked and acted in a different way because they did not suffer with breathing problems and I didn't see the slightest sign of a wet eye or a slightly open beak as before.

The new loft has a 4" gap the full length of the loft along the apex of the roof, it is 6' wide and there are openings at the lower front 11" X 25" every 4'. These openings are covered by a rope operated flap and they double as loading points to save time and to avoid catching the birds inside the loft. I have an sloping aviary 3' deep fitted to the length of the loft which the birds have access to all the time. The floor of the aviary is made from 1/2" wire mesh and it doubles as a trapping area. These trapping areas are 3' X 8' which helps to encourage birds to drop straight in rather than circle or land anywhere other than the trapping area.

To say that this loft changed things is a understatement because the changes in performances have been dramatic. The birds always look well and I have not seen the slightest sign of breathing problems at all. They bath in the aviary in safety and due to the fact that the lower flaps are open all the time there is an abundance of air rising through the loft at all times. In regard to the temperature, after a moments thought I think you will realise that the last thing that bothers pigeons is the cold. They are descended from Rock Doves who choose to live in very cold conditions and they thrive on it. Some might say that Widowhood Cocks need warmth to bring them into early condition, nonsense. What they need is plenty of fresh air and sunshine. My birds get this by lazing about in the safety of the aviaries and prove it by winning races from early in the season when the weather conditions are iffy to say the least. So in short give your birds plenty of fresh air and sunshine and you will see them give you their best efforts. Mine do.

buster151 · October 14, 2012

Owen any chance of a couple of pics

October 14, 2012

buster,

I am really not very good with cameras so I have to rely on other people too take photos for me.

However, if you look at the Red Rose Lofts you will see the sort of loft that I use. Theirs is 8'x4' but mine is very similar but 6'x16' and 6'x20'.

The only differance in mine and theirs is that I have the openings along the bottom which are 25"x11". There are 2 of these to each 8' section

and one in the small 4' section on the bigger loft. I have constructed frames outside of the loft so that I can keep a crates on them at all times.

Drinker training is very easy because the birds have to drink from the troughs and they become very used to doing so.

Crating the birds for training is again very quick and easy because they will go into the crates easily if you sprinkle a small amount of seed into them.

If you decide to have a loft like this you will be amazed as to how your birds will improve. I was.

October 14, 2012

Top in the roof only..

greenlands · October 14, 2012

My lofts are the normal run of the mill bought Blakes lofts,I cut about eight inch of top of the perspex in the door and made a perspex cover,in the pic.I done the same with the windows and put an eight/ten inch drop board from the overhang so rain can't blow in.Sorry no pic. of the windows.

buster151 · October 14, 2012

buster,
I am really not very good with cameras so I have to rely on other people too take photos for me.
However, if you look at the Red Rose Lofts you will see the sort of loft that I use. Theirs is 8'x4' but mine is very similar but 6'x16' and 6'x20'.
The only differance in mine and theirs is that I have the openings along the bottom which are 25"x11". There are 2 of these to each 8' section
and one in the small 4' section on the bigger loft. I have constructed frames outside of the loft so that I can keep a crates on them at all times.
Drinker training is very easy because the birds have to drink from the troughs and they become very used to doing so.
Crating the birds for training is again very quick and easy because they will go into the crates easily if you sprinkle a small amount of seed into them.
If you decide to have a loft like this you will be amazed as to how your birds will improve. I was.

thank you

buster151 · October 14, 2012

My lofts are the normal run of the mill bought Blakes lofts,I cut about eight inch of top of the perspex in the door and made a perspex cover,in the pic.I done the same with the windows and put an eight/ten inch drop board from the overhang so rain can't blow in.Sorry no pic. of the windows.

Ive been looking for some perspex this morning to do something similar, thank you

October 15, 2012

i have vent at the top front of the loft and at the bottom back of the loft,i have a large window at the front to allow plenty of light into the loft by day,this windo is wide opened during the day and locked at night,not the best in my opinion but in my area the lofts need to be well secured because of thieving.my loft is south facing but unfortunately at this time of year when the suns out the house stops it hitting the loft.