YBs Trapping....

been using the whistle for the young birds, and they are trapping better than any other years (so far ) , but they will need to be a lot better for racing.......what do members use to get a faster trap, redband, tk conditioner or peanuts etc ....?

any thoughts ?

I keep the breakfast off mine david and just feed evening until they trap well usually after 2/3 days they know the score but it may prove more difficult for you david ,if I remember correctly your traps are quite small so maybe introduce a larger folding landing board at the same height as the trap but just underneath it so that it folds back against the door when not in use that way you will still be able to use the access door

I`m just feeding once a day Darren, after they have been out........the 50/50 mixture, depatagoon and black minerals, plus the molasses aviform 3 times a week.

when I let them out I put the trays in the loft ready, i open the doors and let them out, then when i want them in i put some corn in the trays and blow the whistle, they seem to know food is waiting for them, but i need them trapping a lot quicker by the time racing comes around, especially when I'm using the t3, and most others will be using the bricon ets.

Ybs decided to all go for a fly...10 short..think they have hit trainers...oh dear..
Or words to that effect...

They trap ok when there here tho bobs at floor level they just run in.
Sleepless night ahead...

im not forcing mine up, letting them flutter around the loft a while longer, they`ll go when they are ready.........already lost 2 because of idiot next door 2 weeks ago, don't want to loose any more.

all sounds ok to me david I am sure they will trap better as time goes on ...mine are not that fast themselves as I have different ages some know the game others are learning but soon cop on

that's why I don't want to put any more in with mine now Darren, I would have had 19, but lost those 2 off loft......I`m happy enough with 17 for this year, it will gain me a bit of experience for next season, that's all I`m aiming for, for this year....

ive just rung those two ybs off our rpra dai evans one loft bird today, I was going to keep them and put them in with the yb team, but decided not to now....its not worth disrupting those older ybs.

i find up to 2 weeks difference not to much problem but anymore and they hold the older ones back they pull them down from exercise by not being able to fly as long because of their maturity ,this year I will have 15 for darkness which started today and 15 natural as they start to come away in about 2 weeks the last ones hatch this week and it will be interesting to compare not only in performance but in health to and also how they race as yearlings

which darkness are you doing Darren, im covering at 4.00 pm, then un covering when its dark a few hours later....

yes same david the ybs will wake to normal light it seems to work much better on them than putting them on later in the evening the section is very well ventilated and not overcrowded iI am lucky to be here to do that some fanciers due to work and allotment lofts cant

yes I prefer it too Darren, they have a natural day break in the morning, rather than it suddenly becoming light at 9.00am

I take my covers off around 9.00pm when its dark.

David wrote:

been using the whistle for the young birds, and they are trapping better than any other years (so far ) , but they will need to be a lot better for racing.......what do members use to get a faster trap, redband, tk conditioner or peanuts etc ....?

any thoughts ?

David you will not get anything better than using a whistle on the youngsters but only use it when you feed them

But one tip when using a whistle only blow it between 4 to 6 times as you walk in the loft place the feed in the troff and give the youngsters 1 minute to get into the loft lock the ones out that don't go straight in after a few mistakes they will trap like lightning

But only use it when feeding them but when you race the youngsters us it to call them but make sure you have food in the troff waiting for them

Once you miss the feed the youngsters will not respond

Another alternative is a dog clicker used the same way

Young birds. Trapping. Have December born and recently weaned in same loft. They have an aviary landing boards type set up. Weather here as you folks know is pretty crappy at times. So they have not been out very much. Older young cocks are looking for hens now and vise versa. Recent weaned young birds still figuring stuff out. I like it this way! First off the young birds strong on the wing tend to stay close to home. Were their flock mates are. Some young venture out and fly a little. Nothing takes off and goes running! That is the key for me. No immature birds go and try and keep up. Weather gets warmer then the birds will expand time on the wing. Force them to fly? No bloody way! Nature will take its course. Few weeks from now many will be flying. But again..young bird season here is not until mid summer so who cares how they fly now?
Trapping young birds. Many methods employed. Clicker for dogs, whistle, feed call whatever. Do not use any of them except a short whistle from me and talk with them if reluctant to trap. Usually do not have to do it. OBirds? Nothing but maybe a talk. Never a problem. Full feed any way. Love of home gets them in. JMO.

David wrote:

been using the whistle for the young birds, and they are trapping better than any other years (so far ) , but they will need to be a lot better for racing.......what do members use to get a faster trap, redband, tk conditioner or peanuts etc ....?

any thoughts ?

Trapping for me is a mindset type of scenario David both for me & my birds etc. A flag out flying on a pole when ever the birds are out or even not flying about as such & then  taking down at feeding time teaches the birds where & when the feed is there I've found    .

With the open loft system trapping is not an issue in the daily routine, the pigeons can be either in or out of the loft when meal times come round but they get more exercise than any pigeon on widowhood and probably fly 200 miles every day in one way or another.

When race day comes trapping is no problem even if other pigeons are out, it is the amount of motivation that counts and you cannot beat the love of their home, I have had pigeons trap over my head when returning from a race even when other pigeons have been out.


You can make a bear dance but look at how some achieve it, keep things simple.


Regards.

Peanuts in a clear container. Once they get hooked they associate the container with treats. Put it on the floor, on the landing board anywhere with the lid firmly closed get them used from a young age and give them a few nuts on trapping/feeding times. After time it could be anything your shaking in that container but they'll trap well.