Settling Older Birds (Fancy)

PigeonDetective · April 13, 2013

Im trying to settle 4 birds that are over a year old.. They appear to be pairing up, So I intend letting them nest to help them settle into their new loft..

My main query is that I was going to let them free fly after a month, but according to my calculation they should be sitting on eggs by then.. Is it more likely for them to return if the eggs are hatched? or is it better to get them free flying earlier by just using their eggs as an incentive to come back?

If the difference of a week or so extra stops me from losing birds, then that's fine.. Would just prefer to have them flying

THE FIFER · April 13, 2013

I would take youngsters off them first m8, that way they are used to nesting and you have young from them just incase of loss,

Leroy · April 13, 2013

If it was me I would breed a full round off both pairs and then try to break them to the loft when rearing the second round. At least this way if you lose them you still have some of the breed to fly out and start again.

I have tried various ways of settling fancy birds over the years and a lot depends on the breed. For flying breeds my most successful way of settling them was to cut down most of the flight feathers, and then as the birds moult in their new feathers they gradually get stronger but are used to being there and stay at home. Only problem with this method is that they are very vulnerable to predators so you have to be very cautious doing it.

Lee

April 13, 2013

take a round of youngsters off them first.then open the loft and let them decide if they want to go out or not.also if you put the youngsters on top of the loft when weaned the parent will usually stick with them on top of the loft.no need to rush them mate if they have been in a while they wont want to fly too far.

kirky · April 13, 2013

what breed are thay.

PigeonDetective · April 13, 2013

That's pretty conclusive feedback that I should Get a full round from them before letting them out..

Their American Flying flight's, that they fly from the rooftops in new York.. I'm eager to see them free fly because their supposed to have unique abilities in the air & I feel a bit cruel keeping them locked up 24/7

Leroy · April 13, 2013

That's pretty conclusive feedback that I should Get a full round from them before letting them out..

Their American Flying flight's, that they fly from the rooftops in new York.. I'm eager to see them free fly because their supposed to have unique abilities in the air & I feel a bit cruel keeping them locked up 24/7

How old are the birds and did they fly out where you got them from?

PigeonDetective · April 13, 2013

Their a year old.. As I understand it, they flew out from where I got them from

Leroy · April 13, 2013

Their a year old.. As I understand it, they flew out from where I got them from

If they've flown out they'll be harder to break but they are still young enough to do it.

An old fashioned way of breaking birds which I've done before is wiping washing up liquid on their flights before you let them out. It prevents them getting lift off but it does knacker the feathers. If you don't want to soap them or cut the flights down make sure they have been on the loft top in a cage and that you've put them through the entrance so that they know where they are and how to get back in.

Lee

PigeonDetective · April 14, 2013

I have an aviary with a Perspex arched roof, So im hoping this will act like a settling cage & get them used to their surroundings..

I would probably choose not to soap their wings.. Have to just wait and see I suppose.. Thanks for the advice

April 14, 2013

hi mate ive just spoken to a mate today who has some of these birds.they fly very high and fly for fun.i think the longer you keep them in the more chance you will have of the adult birds returning.in saying that though you dont want them hitting the clouds and getting tired and coming down to land too far away.i would defenetely take a round of young off them first.

PigeonDetective · April 15, 2013

hi mate ive just spoken to a mate today who has some of these birds.they fly very high and fly for fun.i think the longer you keep them in the more chance you will have of the adult birds returning.in saying that though you dont want them hitting the clouds and getting tired and coming down to land too far away.i would defenetely take a round of young off them first.

Thanks for the reply.. Think it will be a matter of letting them rear some squabs then make sure there hungry when I let them out.. Cant wait to see them fly, will be nervous times tho haha