Anyone still flying their birds

As above, we've not had them out for ages, been tempted a couple of times when the weather has been sunny, then we think of the hawks, not seen one in a while but knowing our luck as soon as they leave the loft the Percy will strike, and as soon as they hit the loft the sparrowhawk will hit, what are you guys doing ?

Have ours out every day if possible gave them a bath today hadn't had one for nearly three weeks they did enjoy it

Mine once aweek for a bath
Ken

I have no trouble with hawks, my trouble is from cats.
I let mine out once a week, I put the bath out but they don’t always use it.

Mine have been locked up since October. They cannot fly this weather anyway.

I haven't flown my birds since october. We have too many raptors right now. Every other night or so, I go out to my loft to find a great horned owl sitting on my loft. Before the bears went into hibernation, I had one try to tear a sput off the loft!

Fly mine out everyday rain or shine. keeps the weight off them and end of the day its there job there not show birds,

Romedius wrote:

I haven't flown my birds  since october.  We have too many raptors right now.  Every other night or so, I go out to my loft to find a great horned owl sitting on my loft.  Before the bears went into hibernation, I had one try to tear a sput off the loft!

and my only worry is odd sparrowhawk and cats....a f""£***g BEAR!!!!

Yeah, unfortunately bears are a problem. They are a problem that can be resolved easily though. The diverse and populous raptors are another story. Legalities apply there. I'll try and take a picture of both owls sitting on either sput.

Guys in British Columbia lose 80% of there birds every year. Last 9 years anyway. They blame it on raptors. The birds fly through the mountains. Suggested they breed off the survivors. Maybe get a smarter bird. They have changed directions and release points. Did not work. I have a 50 mile overfly. On the shores of Lake Erie. Very windy. But do win occasionally. I keep the best and hope for the best. All based on performance. Over a foot of snow here now.

Horned owls here eat raptors. Even in daylight they will drop on them from a tree.

See on your avatar you have white ones?

halcanada wrote:

Guys in British Columbia lose 80% of there birds every year. Last 9 years anyway. They blame it on raptors. The birds fly through the mountains. Suggested they breed off the survivors. Maybe get a smarter bird. They  have changed directions and release points. Did not work. I have a 50 mile overfly. On the shores of Lake Erie. Very windy. But do win occasionally. I keep the best and hope for the best. All based on performance. Over a foot of snow here now.

Thanks. Glad I am not alone on rough conditions. Very few of my racers had any tail feathers left before they molted. Jim Jenner who is a neighbor told me hawks are responsible. I don't mind the raptors culling my birds, but I need to breed a couple of times first. Are you thinking I should let them out now? I'm not kidding about the raptor numbers. I no longer have bird feeders at all.

No!! Keep them in!! For raptors around your loft I suggest a Swedish Goshawk trap. Used to make them. Plans on the internet.

I have bird feeders. Cooper hawk moved in and gets a dove or starling daily. I will get him before Spring.

halcanada wrote:

Horned owls here eat raptors. Even in daylight they will drop on them from a tree.

Very good sir. I happen to be the owls landlord. They both roost in large spruce trees in my front yard. Pellets there every morning mostly. They kill skunks and cats for me, and maybe the enemy of my enemy is my friend? Thank you for that. Gives me something to work with.

halcanada wrote:

No!! Keep them in!! For raptors around your loft I suggest a Swedish Goshawk trap.  Used to make them. Plans on the internet.

I've made them before. Simple, but I have to do the exclusionary things before I can get a permit. Lots of red tape down here.

halcanada wrote:

See on your avatar you have white ones?

Ten is all. A friend gave me them this fall. They weren't banded, but come from white stock that has been raced here.

I let latebreds out weather permiting,hens have an aviary cocks only go out for a bath then back in the loft.

just been reading about great horned owls and coopers,
be careful not to poison rats with BRODIFACOUN rat poison....as it kills the above.