Splitting Stock Birds

Tony C · February 7, 2013

A few years back I read about an American fancier, he's methods, thoughts etc. One thing he was big on was contentment within the loft. Amongst other things he gave he's thoughts on stock pigeons and their mental state. To cut a long story short he questioned as to why fanciers split their stock birds once breeding has finished. He's argument was why take away their partner, in other words why deprive them of something they love (for a better word). He suggested once the moult starts just close off all their nest boxes and remove all nesting material and they'll stop breeding on their own accord.

So in 2011 I thought I'd give it a go but with a variation, instead of closing the nest boxes off etc. I removed both cocks & hens to another section of my lofts but remained with their mates. The section of the loft I moved them into had slope back perches & V perches. During that autumn/winter only one pair off eggs appeared. When it was time to pair them up I put them back in their normal loft and bingo all pairs laid out neigh on all together, eggs were appearing quicker in their loft than the w/hood loft which were paired on the same date.

So thought I would give it a go again this year. Again only one pair of eggs appeared over winter and again when paired in their own loft they've all gone down on eggs no problem.

I thought this may be of some interest especially to those that are pushed for space.

cemetary · February 7, 2013

Very interesting Tony, well done for sharing this information with the forum. :emoticon-0167-beer:

Blue Chequer Pied · February 7, 2013

Definately food for thought Tony. I know a very good fancier in Anstruther who just closes up hi nest boxes and opens them when he wants. Birds have not been seperated for over 30 years and his results at the distance are teriffic.

cemetary · February 7, 2013

Definately food for thought Tony. I know a very good fancier in Anstruther who just closes up hi nest boxes and opens them when he wants. Birds have not been seperated for over 30 years and his results at the distance are teriffic.

Wonder who that is, is he a wee guy, lol

geordie1234 · February 7, 2013

Was told in the winter there sexual organs shrink and they naturally go off mating maybe splitting them is doing more bad than good

Blue Chequer Pied · February 7, 2013

Wonder who that is, is he a wee guy, lol

One of the best fanciers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and fortune to have as a friend. A gentleman.( as you know )

cemetary · February 7, 2013

One of the best fanciers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and fortune to have as a friend. A gentleman.( as you know )

I met him years ago with another great national fancier who took me along, what a right gentleman he is, you couldnt get much better than him thats for sure Paul.

And still going strong at the auld age with the birds, :egyptian:

cemetary · February 7, 2013

Was told in the winter there sexual organs shrink and they naturally go off mating maybe splitting them is doing more bad than good

Dont think it would do them any bad when splitting them and pairing them in the time to come, they will be more keaner than ever to get down on eggs.

As for the organs shrinking, well you stick your bobby out in a cold night and see what happens, :emoticon-0140-rofl:

Very good post Tony, more required from you. :animatedpigeons:

Tony C · February 7, 2013

Dont think it would do them any bad when splitting them and pairing them in the time to come, they will be more keaner than ever to get down on eggs.

Very good post Tony, more required from you.

2 pair went down on the 9th day, 6 pair on the 10th day the last 2 pair 11th day.

robbiedoo. · February 7, 2013

One of the best fanciers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and fortune to have as a friend. A gentleman.( as you know )

nae me is it :emoticon-0140-rofl:

ALF · February 7, 2013

nae me is it

:emoticon-0140-rofl:

ALF · February 7, 2013

I only split my stock birds a fortnight or so ago and through them all back in the stock loft monday bowls in tuesday straw in yesterday eggs??? I'll let ye know :emoticon-0157-sun:

lenton1163 · February 7, 2013

might give this ago this year greet post

soupie · February 7, 2013

I only have a 12x6 shed and have not split my birds the last two years.

Around september i will let the birds sit on pot eggs and when they get up i remove the bowls.

No birds laid again after that.

When i dropped the bowls in 3 weeks ago they all layed without a problem.

Think it's useful to have your birds paired the way you want them at the end of the previous year

soupie

andy Burgess · February 8, 2013

A few years back I read about an American fancier, he's methods, thoughts etc. One thing he was big on was contentment within the loft. Amongst other things he gave he's thoughts on stock pigeons and their mental state. To cut a long story short he questioned as to why fanciers split their stock birds once breeding has finished. He's argument was why take away their partner, in other words why deprive them of something they love (for a better word). He suggested once the moult starts just close off all their nest boxes and remove all nesting material and they'll stop breeding on their own accord.

So in 2011 I thought I'd give it a go but with a variation, instead of closing the nest boxes off etc. I removed both cocks & hens to another section of my lofts but remained with their mates. The section of the loft I moved them into had slope back perches & V perches. During that autumn/winter only one pair off eggs appeared. When it was time to pair them up I put them back in their normal loft and bingo all pairs laid out neigh on all together, eggs were appearing quicker in their loft than the w/hood loft which were paired on the same date.

So thought I would give it a go again this year. Again only one pair of eggs appeared over winter and again when paired in their own loft they've all gone down on eggs no problem.

I thought this may be of some interest especially to those that are pushed for space.

i do similar with Babybirds "white doos" leave them together all Winter , but shut the boxes up. done just to keep management to a minimum . never thought to do the same with my stock or racers tho ?? :emoticon-0138-thinking: