Newbie Loft Question

[Guest karen87]

My loft will be 14ft by 6ft. I'm getting some birds this year in the hope to maybe race next year. I'm just wondering if any of you have any tips or ideas for what sections I should have. The door is at the side and not at the front which makes it a bit trickier.

Thanks in advance x

[R.A.M.C.63]

Door end First 6feet breeding section, two 4feet sections, y/b section + hens section.

but depends how you going to race, but this would give you few options till you decide. ATB

[Guest karen87]

Thanks for your reply. I'll need to look into how I'm going to race them. How do you race yours?

[bullcock]

You are clearly have no or very little experience of racing pigeon, so first off welcome to a wonderful sport and good luck, I would recommend racing natural to start with, this is when you pair the birds up and rear a round of young birds and race them sitting on eggs etc.

This system will allow you to observe and learn all about the birds behavior and all aspects of housekeeping and general loft management, then you could look at other racing systems, good luck.

As for the loft one larger section for breeding and one for young birds, a third for storing corn etc is optional.

[Smithy1]

Get as many ybs off fanciers to race next year then the following year have 3 sectiins, 2 ob and 1 yb.Put an aviary on front of loft. Its grate asset..

[Guest karen87]

Thanks guys I appreciate any help and all your comments

Once my loft is up and running I'll be having a look for some birds. In the meantime I'm trying to get my loft the best it can be.

[kingziemckay]

START OFF SIMPLE AND WORK YOUR WAY UP,ALL THE BEST,

[Guest nephilim]

I echo the last post. Keep It Simple. I would have a 4ft wide section at the farthest end(if your door is on the end?)In there have 4 to 6 nest boxes and a perch space in front of each box, this could be a piece of 3x1 inch wood 4 inch long. Dont have any other perches, this will keep the cocks to there boxes and go some way to avoid cross treading. Also farthest end, you wont be disturbing them when they are getting busy and rearing young. Then another 4ft section for hens, build a kitbox 4ft wide x 3ftdeep x 3.5ft high.and keep hens for breeding in there when not breeding. This will give you space underneath to store corn in dustbins. the rest for young birds and fill it with V perches. I would also have a black plastic storage box, upside down with a hole cut out of it about 6 inch wide and 8 inch high. chuck a good couple of inches of wood shavings in there. It will be a good settling place for the young you breed as it can be a bit stressful when they are first moved, think first day at school etc. This dark box will calm them and get them used to being with each other. It also will help if your going to trap them through Sputnik or stall traps. Another thing you could use is an old training crate, this will do the same thing and if you feed them in the crate, they will go in readily when it comes to training and basketing on race night. Another usefull thing in the young bird section is a seat, so you can spend time watching them and them getting used to you, it'll also help to tame them if you feed titbits while your sat in there. One final thing is a calender on the door to each section. You can mark of the days when a bird lays, or when they had something added to the water, or when you treated for worms etc. Much better than trying to remember it or writing it in a book, once you've fed watered and handled them. hope I've been helpful.

[Guest karen87]

You have been so helpful. Thanks so much everyone. The loft will be at my fathers as this is a project for him and I to do tackle together. He no longer works and is looking forward to sitting in the loft and studying the birds.

Again thank you all for ur help.

[bullcock]

You have been so helpful. Thanks so much everyone. The loft will be at my fathers as this is a project for him and I to do tackle together. He no longer works and is looking forward to sitting in the loft and studying the birds.

Again thank you all for ur help.

Good Luck

[Guest pigeongirl]

Have a look about this site. There are many posts with pictures for you to look at, might give you some ideas.

Aviary across the front would serve many purposes, one way in for youngbird and old birds, late trap if missing from race or just to sit out safely in the fresh air.

I agree 3 sections cocks, hens and youngbirds. You do need to think where to keep baskets and corn unless dad has a garage with space. My loft is small and I end up keeping some corn in my house and during the season my baskets live in my car.

All the best with design plans and don't forget to take step by step photos for us all to see.

[PIGEONPACKMAN]

cthink keeping a few natural is a good way to go let your young uns stray abit longer until they get kicked out of the nest by the parents they will become very defens8ve when older and easily motivated for a race.

[Guest karen87]

At the moment we have a shed that needs modified. My bf is quite handy though so we are managing to do most of the work ourselves. Should I start with young birds? Someone advised me to by old birds and breed my own yb's.

[Guest bigda]

At the moment we have a shed that needs modified. My bf is quite handy though so we are managing to do most of the work ourselves. Should I start with young birds? Someone advised me to by old birds and breed my own yb's.

 

 

buy a few young birds from a fancier that is winning in your area, out of his proven

stock if you canrt get them try www.louella .co.uk taking in any old bird will put you back 3 years

[Guest karen87]

The plan was to buy them from louella and breed from them. Is this a good idea?

[billt]

The plan was to buy them from louella and breed from them. Is this a good idea?

 

You'll have varying opinions on this no doubt but I think this is the way to go, they do buy the best so you will be giving yourself a good start, I wish you and dad well

[Guest karen87]

Thanks I'm sure it' will take time but we may get racing with young birds next year. Thank you all for your help

!

[anto b]

I only started last year myself not easy but great when you get up and running . started with just youngsters no stock birds. what I had left after racing I bred from this year and bought some youngsters to make up a small team.

 

my own loft is 16 x 6 , it has 3 section ,1. youngbirds 6 x 6 with 25 box perches

2. cocks / breeding 6 x 6 with 12 nest boxs

3. hens 4 x 6 with 12 v perches

 

hope this helps a bit .

 

best of luck