Stock Birds

[BIGPETE]

Hi Guys,

 

Am in the process of sorting out a few stock birds and wanted some advice on what age birds would be considered too old.

 

I have seen a nice group but the oldest bird is bred in 2005 so neigh on 9 years old. They are beautiful birds though, but at what age would you expect birds to become infertile?

 

Thanks,

 

Pete

[walterboswell59]

if they are breeding winners they are never to old m8 one of my best cocks is 18 this year with a 16 15 and a few 12 and 14 year olds switch there eggs under yearlings or younger birds for more vigour in rearing remember its only worth keeping any bird for stock if it breeds good birds no matter what its age

[Guest chad3646]

if they are breeding winners they are never to old m8 one of my best cocks is 18 this year with a 16 15 and a few 12 and 14 year olds switch there eggs under yearlings or younger birds for more vigour in rearing remember its only worth keeping any bird for stock if it breeds good birds no matter what its age

 

 

correct walter there are stock lofts all round the country full of pigeons that have not bred a winner but they still keep them

 

why, because they have a big pedigree ,

[BIGPETE]

Walter, thanks for the wise words. I am amazed brds can still be breeding at those sort of ages and also follow your logic regarding switching the eggs to younger birds so they will be better parents.

 

Chad agree a lot seems to be made of some birds being put to stock purely because of what there relatives have done rather then the bird itself.

[showman]

The biggest fear I ever had when bringing in birds of an age, was how the move would affect them. I've always 'spoiled' such imports, and gave them the best of everything. I once purchased 4 pairs of direct Dordins when they were 9 & 10 years old, and I knew I was taking a risk. Anyhow, got them home, treated them with the best, and they all went on to breed well.....the youngsters flew well and included a few winners. I also gave them a few months to settle before pairing them.

[andy Burgess]

if they are breeding winners they are never to old m8 one of my best cocks is 18 this year with a 16 15 and a few 12 and 14 year olds switch there eggs under yearlings or younger birds for more vigour in rearing remember its only worth keeping any bird for stock if it breeds good birds no matter what its age

 

good sound advice Walter , yet when fetching them in from "elsewhere" with a good age theres always an element of risk ,that they may not produce after the move

[BIGPETE]

Hi Showman,

 

That makes a lot of sense. I gues similarly to older humans. Transition and change can be more traumatic then when they are in their youth.

[showman]

Hi Showman,

 

That makes a lot of sense. I gues similarly to older humans. Transition and change can be more traumatic then when they are in their youth.

 

If you do get these older birds in, maybe a good idea to give them a short course of probiotics as well.

[BIGPETE]

Sorry Showman, lost me a little bit.

 

Can you explain what sort of stuff you would use? Do you mean like Live yogurt?

[walterboswell59]

when i bring in these old stock birds they are treated the same as the rest of my birds only difference they have 2 years in a single section and paired to diff cocks or hens to find out what mate they produce the best youngsters with if after 2years they have not bred anything of worth they are disposed of no matter how much they cost if the breed winners or good yb with a certain mate they are then moved to another stock loft with that mate and left together in the 2 years breeding in the single sections i will breed 28 to 34 yb off the stock bird with diff mates then train hard and race hard to find them out buying a proven pair of stock birds is different you dont need to look for the mate they produce with but when your looking to find your best stock pairs i think my way is the best and ive tried them all and all my birds have great pedigrees because thats the way i breed them every bird in my loft has 2 to 4 national winners in the pedigree so if i get a winner its always very well bred and so far it works for me

[BIGPETE]

Thanks for the detailed answer Walter.

 

I am a new starter so not got the budget to go out and buy birds that have been proven to breed winners (I would imagine such birds would command a big fee). So to start with was looking for stock to breed strong, healthy, hardworking pigeons. I have sorted out 4 pairs now and hopefully will recieve them in the next few weeks. I plan to just use these stock/prisoner birds to breed a small team of YB's maybe 16 or so to start with and cut my teeth so to speak.

 

Your method sounds very good and when I'm a bit more experienced I will certainly be looking to use that sort of strategy to get the winning lines but still ultimately let the basket decide what birds are the real deal.

[walterboswell59]

Thanks for the detailed answer Walter.

 

I am a new starter so not got the budget to go out and buy birds that have been proven to breed winners (I would imagine such birds would command a big fee). So to start with was looking for stock to breed strong, healthy, hardworking pigeons. I have sorted out 4 pairs now and hopefully will recieve them in the next few weeks. I plan to just use these stock/prisoner birds to breed a small team of YB's maybe 16 or so to start with and cut my teeth so to speak.

 

Your method sounds very good and when I'm a bit more experienced I will certainly be looking to use that sort of strategy to get the winning lines but still ultimately let the basket decide what birds are the real deal.

the baskets the master pete you will not go wrong that way m8

[showman]

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