cheltenhamfancier Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Hey Guys, So having recently been given the go ahead from my landlord to keep pigeons, am in the process of decidng on what to keep them in, I see some really nice purpose built 6 bird racing kit lofts on ebay, but all of them seem to be north England direction, so am leaning towards the idea of a 6x4 garden shed, those ones which come in a flat pack, and put it on some blocks to keep it off the ground? I guess the added benefit is ill be able to walk into them, bearing in mind im planning on starting with 6 young birds, so it should be plenty of room? Anyone got any thoughts tips, on what I should definitley not do, etc, I guess I would need to construct a new frame for the door way where I could put a trap, Any ideas tips all welcome, Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Novice Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 if memory serves me correctly R.V. Woodcraft did a junior fancier's loft. I am unsure of the dimensions or cost but it might be worthwhile checking out their web site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dal2 Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Put a trap where the windows is as high up as you can get it. Put a mesh door inside the normal door so you can let air in during summer and let's you view the birds without entering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
showman Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 One of my favourite subjects......converting garden sheds !Would not advocate a flat-pack as they're usually built from over-lap & light framework, which I consider too flimsy. Some pics of my conversion on 8x6 & 12x6 garden sheds. Can PM more pics or details if any use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheltenhamfancier Posted February 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Thanks guys, Yea RV woodcraft seem to have a loft of nice accessories in store, and thank you Dal, yea I was thinking of putting in a mesh door, with maybe the trap fixed on that somehow, in order to leave the windows intact to allow some light in, or does that matter much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dal2 Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Thanks guys, Yea RV woodcraft seem to have a loft of nice accessories in store, and thank you Dal, yea I was thinking of putting in a mesh door, with maybe the trap fixed on that somehow, in order to leave the windows intact to allow some light in, or does that matter much?I would take the windows out and incorporate the trap in there. Maybe bring the trap out a foot giving you a landing board on top and a aviary area underneath with a mesh front Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheltenhamfancier Posted February 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Paul, that spretty impressive conversion, one of my constraints is space, but your designs look very neat, Im not so good re the DIY, but ill pm you at some point, many thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valiant Fifer Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 One of my favourite subjects......converting garden sheds !Would not advocate a flat-pack as they're usually built from over-lap & light framework, which I consider too flimsy. Some pics of my conversion on 8x6 & 12x6 garden sheds. Can PM more pics or details if any use.Good pics, nice n tidy well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gav-87 Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 I will be keeping an eye on this post as this is how i am planning on starting up by converting a 6x4 shed. It will be on blocks so its off the ground mesh door behind the the original door and a sputnik trap where the window hole is. Would it be best to also put a vent or two on the front of the shed for ventilation? Was thinking of about 14 young birds in something of that size is that about right or is that to many? Thanks Gav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walterboswell59 Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 if your getting a garden shed make sure its of weather board not shiplap to thin and drafty also make sure its a flat roof shed as some apex roof sheds are only 5 foot at the eves taking away lots of space and turning you into a hunchback with lots of lumps on your head Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walterboswell59 Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 I will be keeping an eye on this post as this is how i am planning on starting up by converting a 6x4 shed. It will be on blocks so its off the ground mesh door behind the the original door and a sputnik trap where the window hole is. Would it be best to also put a vent or two on the front of the shed for ventilation? Was thinking of about 14 young birds in something of that size is that about right or is that to many? Thanks Gavthe more vents the better imo gav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gav-87 Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 the more vents the better imo gav Thanks for your reply Walter i will keep that in mind. In your opinion what would be a suitable number of young birds to keep in a 6x4 please? And can i say that the piece you did in the novice section about latebreds i found it a very good read Walter Thanks Gav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest welshman Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 One of my favourite subjects......converting garden sheds !Would not advocate a flat-pack as they're usually built from over-lap & light framework, which I consider too flimsy. Some pics of my conversion on 8x6 & 12x6 garden sheds. Can PM more pics or details if any use.thats a really nice job.you have got me thinking now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walterboswell59 Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Thanks for your reply Walter i will keep that in mind. In your opinion what would be a suitable number of young birds to keep in a 6x4 please? And can i say that the piece you did in the novice section about latebreds i found it a very good read Walter Thanks Gavthankyou gav glad if it helped you in any way 14 yb in a 6x4 should be ok m8 with plenty air getting into the loft as stevie says a wire door is a big help for air and letting the birds see around good luck with it and the main thing is enjoy your pigeons and learn from the guys who win not the guys that think they will win and you will do ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walterboswell59 Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 One of my favourite subjects......converting garden sheds !Would not advocate a flat-pack as they're usually built from over-lap & light framework, which I consider too flimsy. Some pics of my conversion on 8x6 & 12x6 garden sheds. Can PM more pics or details if any use.looks great m8 well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
showman Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 I will be keeping an eye on this post as this is how i am planning on starting up by converting a 6x4 shed. It will be on blocks so its off the ground mesh door behind the the original door and a sputnik trap where the window hole is. Would it be best to also put a vent or two on the front of the shed for ventilation? Was thinking of about 14 young birds in something of that size is that about right or is that to many? Thanks Gav Setting the loft up on blocks is good, giving an air-flow under the floor. I had to put a few pillars in due to slope in the garden. Another thing to consider would be a more solid frame laid first, and then place your loft on top of that.This did leave an unsightly gap which was easily covered in by decking which was cut to suit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenlands Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 Pigeons will race to anything mate,doesn't have to be all singing and dancing but they do look good,here's mine sixty + years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gav-87 Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 Thanks for the replys i will keep note of all whats been said above for when the time come to set up. Cracking lofts them mate! Gav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony C Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 You may need to invest in some inch ply for the floor as most of garden sheds floors are flimsy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheltenhamfancier Posted February 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 Thanks everyone for the contributions, Im going to go with a 6x4 shed, for 6 birds, keeping it simple, ill hopefully get things started this weekend, also if anyone is near chelteneham direction with young birds for sale?RegardsKevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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