1St Loft Build

[BIGPETE]

Hello Lads,

 

Planning to finish converting the shed to a loft this weekend (weather permitting).

After boarding out the shed with plywood the dimensions are now 9Ft9" x 5ft6".

I have 4 pairs sorted out (adults) arriving in a week or two so have to convert

the shed into sections to split the cocks and hens. I know admittedly this is a small

shed but please remember I am planning to keep pigeons first rather then get straight

into racing. (Learn to walk before I can run etc). Anyway, the plan is make 3 small

sections.

 

Section 1 is tiny but is only a means of me going in and closing the main door behind me

so I won't get any escaping (also intended for storing corn and other odds and sods)..

 

2nd section (apx 5ft6"x48") will be initially to keep the 4 hens in.

 

3rd section (apx 5ft6"x46") to keep the cocks in.

 

Once there all settled and I am ready to pair up the door between section 2&3 will be wide

open so they have maximum amount of room (Apx 8ftx 5ft6").

 

The plan is when I wean some young to keep them in section 2 and they can enter and exit

the loft by a small sputnik. I don't plan to have many young to start with,

maybe 2 rounds so maybe 16 yb's max.

 

The aviary won't be huge but will be big enough for me to go in and clean and also to have a bath

in there for the prisoner birds. The aviary is a bit bigger then section 3 so access to the aviary

is possible from both sections so the cocks and hens can go out on rotation (pre breeding).

 

I know this is a small loft so I'm trying to maximise the space and options. Also realise it won't

be suitable for racing. But hoping if all goes well in future I could build a racing loft and keep this

for the breeders.

 

I have planned this out and in my head it all makes sense. But if anyone thinks I am missing a trick anywhere or has

any suggestions please do post up. As hoping to get this finished this weekend.

 

Excuse the very rough diagram but I am no Picasso

 

Cheers,

 

Pete

 

[Tony C]

My concern would be by having nestboxes on the side wall pigeons might struggle flying up to the top boxes.

[Lennut Tar]

My concern would be by having nestboxes on the side wall pigeons might struggle flying up to the top boxes.

 

 

When some one like Pete, starts off on a small scale etc. Overtime !!!! things tend to grow & change for what I have found I would throw away the sputnick at this stage & extend the flight right across the front & have a fly in for the birds to trap into. One hopes !!!, what ever he decides with his new loft he gains a lot of enjoyment out of his new found hobby/sport.

[BIGPETE]

My concern would be by having nestboxes on the side wall pigeons might struggle flying up to the top boxes.

 

Hi Tony thanks for the reply, would you say better on the back wall? I know it's still a small area regardless, but that would give them a bit more room in terms of line of flight to top boxes etc?

[BIGPETE]

When some one like Pete, starts off on a small scale etc. Overtime !!!! things tend to grow & change for what I have found I would throw away the sputnick at this stage & extend the flight right across the front & have a fly in for the birds to trap into. One hopes !!!, what ever he decides with his new loft he gains a lot of enjoyment out of his new found hobby/sport.

 

Yes i'm sure in time it will grow and expand and happy to build as and when. But to start with I want to try it out in a shed I already have available rather then commiting to buying a loft just now.

 

Expanding the flight out the front makes sense too, I will have a look in the daylight and see how big I can go

Thanks for the suggestions.

[BIGPETE]

.

[MIK]

i have a 6ft x 4ft stock end and 6 nest boxes are on end 6ft giving the 4ft flight room to boxes...i have no problems at all.

 

also i agree with previous comment about extending flight full length...it will add more room for inmates during the day. If i had the room myself i would build an aviary full length...tis only good for the birds, plenty fresh air and sunshine...with baths added. But not to be for me

 

atb

Mick

[gulkie]

U got to start somewhere good luck to u Pete

[Tony C]

Hi Tony thanks for the reply, would you say better on the back wall? I know it's still a small area regardless, but that would give them a bit more room in terms of line of flight to top boxes etc?

 

Personally I would, you would also be able to observe better from the outside looking through the aviary wire into the nestboxes

[Guest nephilim]

Hey Pete.

I love DIY lofts. Just about to build my own. 24x6 three section. I would scrap the. 1s section, build a sliding door,out of 2x1 and wire. Just have 2 sections. Farthest being cockss and nestboxes, nearest hens and yb. Build nestboxes out of ply and laths very old style. Make the at least 18inch deep and high as possible,using 2x2 frame. You can then store corn bins underneath, face it of with wire or hardboard on framing. You have to utilise your space. I agree with others extend your aviary full length. In my build one have decided that in middle section the hens will be kept in a kitbox under the nestboxes, and will be on alternative day release routine. If you really stick for space and your only having 4 hens. Use a rabbit hutch! Perches only need to be inch of floor.

[BIGPETE]

Ok I have taken the comments on board and many thanks for them as some offered real food for thought.

 

Have decided to increase aviary length and also make 2 sections rather then 3.

 

Roll on the weekend!

 

Ps. Nest boxes may go to back wall rather then side wall (As suggested), will have a better idea once the partition is up and I can see how it will look.

[walterboswell59]

pete another thing you can do to give you more room is cut out the size of your nest boxes in the wall if you have the room behind and sit the boxes in flush with the wall not only does it give you more room it looks better to 14 or 16 inch deep for the boxes is ok for you starting out m8 good luck with it

[BIGPETE]

Started building the boxes today, very work in progress and I'm no chippy so won't be the prettiest but will be solid . Using old timber where possible to save a few pennies. Will update with a few pics over the weekend.

[BIGPETE]

Hi Guys,

 

Build went a wee bit behind schedule as got a new human arrival landing early next month.

 

But wanted to add some progress shots as I went on, more to follow in the next few weeks.

 

First shot shows the diving wall, thanks to Nephilim for convincing me not to go with 3 sections. I see now how silly that would have been! Some mesh wire still to go into the door frames, still a work in progress as you can see. Thanks to all who chimed in with info and suggestions.

 

 

Wee shot of the nest boxes (6 of) plastic fronts weren't fixed at that stage as was playing about with em. Will update with mroe recent pics of the fronts in soon.

 

 

 

Pete

[kirky]

thats looking ok pete your getting there,

[buster151]

looking good mate

[BIGPETE]

Cheers guys, I know it's humble/small/basic etc etc but we all gotta start somewhere right.

 

For the amount of birds I plan to start with this is ok for me size wise. If all goes well this can one day be the stock loft and the racing loft can be another project. Time will tell as to how my first year or two goes.

[BIGPETE]

Sorry guys meant to update this as i went along but been a crazy last week or so. Few pics attached, nest box layout a bit unusual but wouldn't fit in as what i had space for wasnt standard sized widowhood sort of boxes. Small loft admittedly but only looking to keep 6-7 pair of prisoners in here. Aviary pics to follow in next instalment.

[BIGPETE]

[walterboswell59]

pete can you not cut the fronts down to fit the boxes m8

[William Reid]

Looking nice and tidy Pete well done .

[BIGPETE]

I did think that but seemed a bigger area for the cock bird to perch on when the front door was closed when they were at an angle. Will only use these to get em paired up then planning to remove the fronts and will knock something more suitable up a little later on. Still a work in progress boys. Ps spoke totheman himself today big joe and gotta say he's a top fella.

[Guest chad3646]

pete maybe next year you should get rid of the wire mesh and replace with dowels

 

because when the pigeons start clambering about they will fray all there primaries

 

 

 

 

J M O

[walterboswell59]

I did think that but seemed a bigger area for the cock bird to perch on when the front door was closed when they were at an angle. Will only use these to get em paired up then planning to remove the fronts and will knock something more suitable up a little later on. Still a work in progress boys. Ps spoke totheman himself today big joe and gotta say he's a top fella.

it will do the noo as we say up here pete

[BIGPETE]

Chad would that happen because I have used a wire mesh where the-squares are too small? Or would this still happen even if the mesh had larger squares on it?