Another Novice Question-On Stock Loft Birds

[stu888]

Hi All

 

Complete novice here. I have built a stock loft. I am in the process of buying 2 stock birds (hen and cock) can I just put them together in the stock loft without them pairing up by themselves. Or is it ok if they pair up straight away? I dont want to start breeding until Dec\Jan 16 approx but I dont want them breeding at this stage. thanks for any help

[Kyleakin Lofts]

Keep them separate until you are ready to pair.

[stu888]

Keep them separate until you are ready to pair.

 

thanks Andy

[stu888]

Andy im assuming if they were not separated they would just pair up by themselves is this correct?

[Kyleakin Lofts]

Boy meets girl on a desert island, wham bam.

 

If you leave them to run, unless in the very unlikely event they cannot stand each other, they will pair. Keep an eye on the cock, that he is not too hard on the hen.

[stu888]

thanks Andy that's excellent advice

[bhirst]

Hi mate if your planing pairing the 2 birds in question together in dec or jan you could let them pair now let the cock take a box let the hen lay replace eggs with pot ones split birds for a time after the moult then repair as u like you will have taken the pain out of pairing birds in winter mounths they should go stright back together so you will have your ybs when you want with a bit of luck .

[stu888]

Hi mate if your planing pairing the 2 birds in question together in dec or jan you could let them pair now let the cock take a box let the hen lay replace eggs with pot ones split birds for a time after the moult then repair as u like you will have taken the pain out of pairing birds in winter mounths they should go stright back together so you will have your ybs when you want with a bit of luck .

 

great idea bhirst, how long would I need to keep the hen on the pot ones for, hope that's not a daft question, im a complete novice

[bhirst]

great idea bhirst, how long would I need to keep the hen on the pot ones for, hope that's not a daft question, im a complete novice

[bhirst]

let them sit until thay just leave the eggs on thier own the cycle will start again they may look for somewhere else to nest as they sometimes lose faith in the box if eggs fail but dont worry they soon forget when they are on thier first nest after a break

[stu888]

let them sit until thay just leave the eggs on thier own the cycle will start again they may look for somewhere else to nest as they sometimes lose faith in the box if eggs fail but dont worry they soon forget when they are on thier first nest after a break

 

Many thanks Bhirst and Andy, I appreciate all your advice

 

Another question if I may on Stock Birds feeding

 

Do stock birds meant for breeding have different feed than perhaps birds which are racing?

 

Currently the 2 stock birds I have are timid and hide at the back off the loft when I enter, do I need to address that or is it ok that this continues before I pair them up

 

Sorry for all the questions, this is a great forum

[Kyleakin Lofts]

They will become used to you especially if their section is on the small side. I like non-flighty pigeons, so would give them a titbit while talking to them when you are in the loft. Just feed normally, you don't want them fat. They only need extra when rearing bigger YB's.

[stu888]

Andy what amount should I be feeding them is 1oz per bird per day or what

 

thanks for your help

[paddymac]

Andy what amount should I be feeding them is 1oz per bird per day or what

 

thanks for your help

1oz is suffient but you'll need to increase when breeding Ybs.

[stu888]

1oz is suffient but you'll need to increase when breeding Ybs.

 

Thanks Pat, excellent

[stu888]

Pat, Andy, Bhirst

 

Another question, embarrassed to ask it, but how do I feed grit? Do I put in food trough or put it in another trough

[Guest Vosteve]

Put it in a separate little pot and make sure that they have fresh grit available to them at all times; if it is damp in the mornings replace it with fresh dry stuff.

 

Just out of interest Stu - are those two the only pigeons that you have?

 

If that is so, and they are in separate compartments that might be the reason they are so scary/flighty.

[stu888]

Put it in a separate little pot and make sure that they have fresh grit available to them at all times; if it is damp in the mornings replace it with fresh dry stuff.

 

Just out of interest Stu - are those two the only pigeons that you have?

 

If that is so, and they are in separate compartments that might be the reason they are so scary/flighty.

 

Thanks VoSteve. I will get a pot tomorrow

 

Yes these are the only two pigeons I have. My principal reason for that being so is to try and look after 2 rather than a lot initially. I will try and introduce them into one compartment

 

thanks for your support

[bhirst]

HI mate all the sdvise the other guys have given you is spot on with regaurds to feed and grit just try and find what suits you i know folk that have there stock birds on standing food that is food infront of them all the time that way they dont over eat but may become grain selective . pink and black minarels should also avalable to the birds just a little pot of each pick stones are also good and cheap . with regaurds to tameness a couple of redskin peanuts each time you spend time with them works wonders remember better to spend 10 hours a week with them and a pound on them ,than 1 hour a week with them and 10 pound on them if you get my drift .

[Guest Vosteve]

Thanks VoSteve. I will get a pot tomorrow

 

Yes these are the only two pigeons I have. My principal reason for that being so is to try and look after 2 rather than a lot initially. I will try and introduce them into one compartment

 

thanks for your support

No bother at all, only too glad to help.

 

Enjoy your pigeons - wish I had some!

[stu888]

Thank you everyone for your advice, I can't thank you enough, its the equivalent of going to a virtual library

 

I have some more questions;

 

Do I have to treat for worms, canker and cocci before breeding? I notice on another thread that Walter Boswell suggested treating for the aforemetioned 4 weeks or more before mating...I could have that period wrong

 

if I do have to treat for the above before mating, shall I just go to the vet or purchase off the shelf meds

 

'Andy' at the start of the thread suggested that boy=meets girls=bang...the 2 birds I have are preening each other but what I don't know have they mated?

 

On another thread someone had suggested that a small loft is basically a large nest box so why not let them mate anywhere?

 

I use Easibed, will they just use that or do I need to purchase a nest bowl to lay on top of the Easibed?

 

How do or would I know that the hen is already pregnant?

 

Do I need to use a special mix of feeds for birds that are mated or about to mate? So confusing when I dont know if they have!

 

Apologies for all the questions, thank you everyone

 

'Vosteve' I feel your pain I was in the same situation. Hang on in there, if I can actually breed anything you can have some of mine