Open Fronted Loft Or Sealed

[chris1984]

So im going to build a new loft but i dont know if its better to have a fully sealed (other than ventalation) with heat source or to have and open front loft simillar to the natural breeding stations.what are the pros and cons of each thanks

[philg50]

IMO if any thing not sealed because the bloom builds up ,harm full to you and to the birds ,you need ventilation of some description.

[greenbar]

u could dry your washing in our corridor,plenty freash air,but bone dry,

[chris1984]

IMO if any thing not sealed because the bloom builds up ,harm full to you and to the birds ,you need ventilation of some description.

 

It wouldnt be fully sealed i was thinking chimenies in each section with intake holes on front buy then i read an article that stated birds kept in open lofts have beter feathering and less respitory problems.

[Kyleakin Lofts]

Open or closed, ventilation is the key Chris. After you have decided and built your loft, you may still have to tweak it a bit until the ventilation is spot on.

Fresh air costs nothing, it is said; heaters and ventilation fans cost electricity, so for me it is better if the ventilation works by natural convection.

Edited October 18, 2016 by Kyleakin Lofts

[gulkie]

Ventilation is a must .dark and heated lofts is a perfect

Breeding ground for bacteria .

[Roland]

Chimneys have proved very good and effective in Chicken and pig mass housing. Draws the smell away to. Plus CIRCULATES THE AIR CONSTANTLY.

I had a false roof over a wired to. Wired around between the wire top and false roof. No matter how or when there was, or not, wind the fresh air circulation a treat. Was one draw back, and that I have to have the lofts under trees. Hence lovely and warm and dry... then climate change and a damp atmosphere quickly came in and knocked the pigeons taking the edge of them.

 

Now I have a brick and tiled. Can't have the recommended opening at bottom of each tile due to same problem.

So I have in each compartment a 22 inch by 9 inch traps. Able to have it completely closed if wanted. Have two Brick air vents in each compartment for constant air, low down. Can shut the loft down then nigh complete.

BUT I have an aviary on the outside all the way across. Each compartment is divided by wire mesh. The floor is wire too, as is the roof of the aviary. I have pull away draws underneath for easy cleaning, as the birds nigh live out in the aviary now, - Usually till October I have open loft where the birds come and go as they desire. I find that they will sit out all weathers of course, but sometime - for whatever reasons, they will all go inside.

Cold weather, over night I close everything down once they have all gone in.

Race days means that they go through two openings to time in. So inside the loft I have clip on shelves with the E.T. Placed underneath.

In reality I suppose I could have the E.T. placed under the aviary opening as they are locked in if shut. But, personally not bothered as it only takes a few seconds to trap, and when visitors are invited etc. there can be no argy - bargy as to their' legality. Can't do with any hasle ... Mind no one cares UNLESS they think I beat them lol.

Just food for thoughts that may be of an interest.

[Roland]

Air needs to circulate. Not go in at the bottom and out the back at the top. Yes it works to a point.

Ideally it should enter say at the bottom HIT the other side and then drawn through the top. Circulate. So chimneys are ideal.

O.K. once a loft is built, alterations and being bothered for that little extra is seldom done I guess.

[chris1984]

Excellent info there roland cheers mabey i will go with the chiminies.not sure birds will be suited to the weather up here in winter with an open fronted loft but the birds spend most of the time in the aviery anyway.which direction should my loft face to protect against harsh wind if im on the north west coast

[Roland]

Chris, Chimneys need a 'Over Cover' a little way over the actual chimney. Not imperative of course but helps to A. stop the snow / rain etc. falling down. B, it heightens the draw factor if needed. Good luck.

[chris1984]

Chris, Chimneys need a 'Over Cover' a little way over the actual chimney. Not imperative of course but helps to A. stop the snow / rain etc. falling down. B, it heightens the draw factor if needed. Good luck.

 

Thanks yeah i thought i would need a cowl of some sort does it have to be a certain kind for what we need it for

[Valiant Fifer]

Birds seem to benifit with plenty fresh air which cost nothing. An avairy on a loft is usually a bonus and has several uses.

Hope it all works out for you.

[Roland]

Thanks yeah i thought i would need a cowl of some sort does it have to be a certain kind for what we need it for

 

One that doesn't rot in the rain / snow. Any old plastic / metal, especially aluminium would do. Wood well treated.

[Roland]

Thanks yeah i thought i would need a cowl of some sort does it have to be a certain kind for what we need it for

 

One that doesn't rot in the rain / snow. Any old plastic / metal, especially aluminium would do. Wood well treated.

 

Jimmy White always said - one of many, lol -- that the best thing for pigeons was free. Air.

 

Would add 'As long as it is dry! Damp is the biggest hindrance to pigeons.

Put a Salt Cellar in over night every so often. Then a couple of days later if it runs free then you know it is good.

[showman]

Always remember....there's a huge difference between ventilation and a draught !!

[Roland]

Always remember....there's a huge difference between ventilation and a draught !!

 

How true. Indeed draught will cause ailments.

Many - indeed some on here - will tell you that a draught , say from a knot hole where they perch doesn't cause 'One Eye Cold' it does and will. A cold draught will also attack good health. Like it will and does us.

[Roland]

Birds seem to benifit with plenty fresh air which cost nothing. An avairy on a loft is usually a bonus and has several uses.

Hope it all works out for you.

 

Ventilation: This is an extremely critical area. A pigeon's lungs are connected to air sacs which go throughout their body and even into their bones. Anything a pigeon breathes will greatly affect it. If your loft is full of dust, ammonia fumes from wet droppings, etc. you can expect your performance to decrease. Ideally, air should enter from the floor and exit at the top. You do not want a breeze blowing through the loft at the other extreme. One way to greatly help you in the area of ventilation - especially as you try to balance it with temperature control is to not OVERCROWD your birds. You can keep a much tighter loft and thus control your temperature if you don't have a ton of pigeons.

[Wiley]

Ill be honest i dont like much air exchange, the only air exchange i like is above the birds

[William Reid]

Ill be honest i dont like much air exchange, the only air exchange i like is above the birds

.

Hopefully will have my new set up finished this weekend . And as you say the exit of the air through the roof design is the most important part of the loft OMHO.

[Roland]

.

Hopefully will have my new set up finished this weekend . And as you say the exit of the air through the roof design is the most important part of the loft OMHO.

 

Yep chimneys.

[dal2]

The shabby build quality will allow plenty ventilation with no chimneys

[kirky]

open front for me that i can close off in bad weather, extracter fans fitted run all daylight hours,