Loss Of Birds On Open Hole

[Walter swanston]

I thought I would try a change this winter and have the pigeons on en open holeBig change of plan as I have lost two this week to hawks, one stock bird lost from loft and one young bird so badly torn up that she was almost decapitated,so I am afraid that my pigeons will be inside until early April 2014.not the way Iwould really like to keep pigeons.

[johnc]

same here walter my birds get out once fortnight for a quick bath and ive got to keep an eye on them as the sparrow hawk hits them in the bath

[ghostrider]

Food is getting scarce for the bop now racing/training is done

No point adding to there menu

nice idea tho..in a different world

keep your birds locked up/safe!!

 

Atb

[Kyleakin Lofts]

Amazed at how lucky I have been so far. Usually I have to lock them up from mid to late August, but they are still out just now, early October. Having said that, I am opening up at various times, so there is no regularity and some days they are out twice, others just the once.

The club nearest to my area didn't race YB's due to sickness and I have heard a few comments about the lower numbers of BOP this year. Coincidence?

[Roland]

I think this is the only realistic way for most now. Mind many very good fanciers do it every year to no detriment.

[Guest TAMMY_1]

birds are kept in after last race and will not be out again till preparations start for next years racing,they have very large aviery's on front so they get as much fresh air and sunshine as they want

[billt]

I have 40 on permanent open loft and don't have too much of a problem but my other 40 odd who come out occasionally are much more likely to get hit, I tend to stay out with them

[eastcoaster]

I have 40 on permanent open loft and don't have too much of a problem but my other 40 odd who come out occasionally are much more likely to get hit, I tend to stay out with them

Same here have 12pair that have been on open hole all season and only lost 1 top sparra hen (her last supper)but they don,t come out as often as they used to and you should see them trap when danger is about ! Incredible.. Ybs will be going on open hole after the moult.

[Walter swanston]

I have 40 on permanent open loft and don't have too much of a problem but my other 40 odd who come out occasionally are much more likely to get hit, I tend to stay out with them

[Walter swanston]

Must be great to have80 birds flying out all winter, good luck to you around here the local hawk population would regard that as a fast food joint obviously different in Welsh Wales

[William Reid]

Walter my birds have now been on open loft for nine months .but like any system you put your birds on they have to get used to it .i had to give them a hand at the start but now the birds are so street wise .and I haven't moved anything on for some time now

[tiger]

Walter my birds have now been on open loft for nine months .but like any system you put your birds on they have to get used to it .i had to give them a hand at the start but now the birds are so street wise .and I haven't moved anything on for some time now

you must be lucky thur there as the sparry hen is ambush expert right thur the trees and on the birds they have no chance but an eye for eye

[ALF]

i posted on here last week or the week before i had 17 lb's on open hole maybe a month ago 9 or 10 now how the hell could i leave my doos oot all winter? 3 other people at our place have had doos hit in the last fortnight tae :emoticon-0179-headbang:

[buster151]

had mine out today 4 falcons after them then later there was a hawk as well

[William Reid]

i posted on here last week or the week before i had 17 lb's on open hole maybe a month ago 9 or 10 now how the hell could i leave my doos oot all winter? 3 other people at our place have had doos hit in the last fortnight tae :emoticon-0179-headbang:

Alan my birds get open loft 8 in the morning that's the way it has to be for me now .and they will be out all winter but one thing is for sure if I have to help them again :devil:

[ALF]

Alan my birds get open loft 8 in the morning that's the way it has to be for me now .and they will be out all winter but one thing is for sure if I have to help them again :devil:

Billy you are in a scheme i am in the fairhill bing no way could i let my doos out all winter i never expected it to be as bad when i moved up here but fk me no way could i leave them on open hole all winter no chance

[William Reid]

Billy you are in a scheme i am in the fairhill bing no way could i let my doos out all winter i never expected it to be as bad when i moved up here but fk me no way could i leave them on open hole all winter no chance

Alan I didn't say you could mate .hope you and the guys work hard to help your birds

[eastcoaster]

Billy you are in a scheme i am in the fairhill bing no way could i let my doos out all winter i never expected it to be as bad when i moved up here but fk me no way could i leave them on open hole all winter no chance

My lofts are surrounded by trees and have only lost the one but the birds know when to be up in the sky or in the loft but they can avoid the sparra hen but if or when they attract the attention of Percy they can do very little .

[billt]

Brechfa Forest, 18,000 acres of woodland starts a few 100yds. from me, perfect habitat for Gos and Sparrow Hawks, I see them most days but my open loft mob still survive, with a little help now and again