how long do i keep them in?

once again I am asking for some help and advice,we put the ybs in the loft Saturday, nice and calm. They still had some young fluffy feathers,anyway I was told to keep them in for about 2 weeks,the problem is they are starting to get restless this might be due to the doves sitting on the out side cooing how long do you keep new ybs in before letting them fly? It took four weeks to home the doves, does the same apply to other ybs

golden

hi golden, it depends how old they are, personally i like to get ybs out as soon as possible after weaning, which is usually around 28 days old(ish), this is simply because they are not strong enough on the wing to fly off and get lost and it also gives them chance to get there bearings with their new surrounds.......

if your ybs are strong on the wing and are flying its harder to settle them in my opinion.........when i have had ybs which are older i have dipped them in soapy water and made sure they are thouroughly wet before letting them out, this stops them from flying off while they have a look around but remember they will dry out so keep them hungry so you can call them in when you feel they have had enough JMO

David wrote:

hi golden, it depends how old they are, personally i like to get ybs out as soon as possible after weaning, which is usually around 28 days old(ish), this is simply because they are not strong enough on the wing to fly off and get lost and it also gives them chance to get there bearings with their new surrounds.......

if your ybs are strong on the wing and are flying its harder to settle them in my opinion.........when i have had ybs which are older i have dipped them in soapy water and made sure they are thouroughly wet before letting them out, this stops them from flying off while they have a look around but remember they will dry out so keep them hungry so you can call them in when you feel they have had enough JMO

Good advice there David, hunger is the only control you have at this stage.

Can they get outside for a look about in a cage or aviary? One of the most important things is this gets them used to wild birds, especially larger ones like crows and gulls then they aren't so spooked when out. Having them hand tame and Hungry when you put them out will help a lot. Also a fantail or dropper of some sort ( that they are used to). If they were strongish on wing I always put them out about 1 hour before dark, if they do get up on the wing they tend to stay local.

Gaz b wrote:

David wrote:

hi golden, it depends how old they are, personally i like to get ybs out as soon as possible after weaning, which is usually around 28 days old(ish), this is simply because they are not strong enough on the wing to fly off and get lost and it also gives them chance to get there bearings with their new surrounds.......

if your ybs are strong on the wing and are flying its harder to settle them in my opinion.........when i have had ybs which are older i have dipped them in soapy water and made sure they are thouroughly wet before letting them out, this stops them from flying off while they have a look around but remember they will dry out so keep them hungry so you can call them in when you feel they have had enough JMO

Good advice there David, hunger is the only control you have at this stage.

Will second that Gaz

thanks again for the advice,here are the doves sitting on the loft,we are doing to let them out tomorrow afternoon,also ybs are 4 weeks old.

golden

make sure the ybs are hungry golden, and they know the signal to indicate food...............good luck

David wrote:

make sure the ybs are hungry golden, and they know the signal to indicate food...............good luck

The ybs don't know the signal for food yet!but my doves will come straight to me when i whistle them so my plan will be to let them out with a water bath on the lawn then whistle the doves down,the main reason i thought i would let them out tomorrow is that i have the next 2 days off so i can spend time with them!any help is very appreciated as i dont wont to lose these ybs.

golden

its good that you have the doves golden, with these being settled it helps with settling the yb`s.......

Golden if i was you i would miss there feed the night before you let them out so they are hungry and as soon as you throw corn they will go for it

As long as they are hungry you will have full control of them

only 1 came out and flew around then just flew off so i quickly closed the door to see if it comes back but so far nothing.

golden

Golden must be careful mate if they are strong on the wing which i think they may be then it is going to be hard for you mate

Don Webb wrote:

Golden must be careful mate if they are strong on the wing which i think they may be then it is going to be hard for you mate

just been outside to call again only to find him sat on my roof


just need to get him back in the loft.

golden

have your doves/fantails out so they will attract him back down............

A plus side he hasnt flown off yet, so there is every chance it will come back, this is the method behind keeping um hungry.

goldenbrown wrote:

Don Webb wrote:

Golden must be careful mate if they are strong on the wing which i think they may be then it is going to be hard for you mate

just been outside to call again only to find him sat on my roof


just need to get him back in the loft.

golden

Great news

Gaz b wrote:

A plus side he hasnt flown off yet, so there is every chance it will come back, this is the method behind keeping um hungry.

Will second that Gaz

David wrote:

have your doves/fantails out so they will attract him back down............

Will also second that David

Sooner out the better for me, reason i dont take really early babies as soon be restricted on getting them out with the weather

just a small update I found her on my roof again about 6-30 looking very tired and limping i tried my best to get her in the loft but she just sat there eventually she went in my neighbors garden so i hope i can get her in the morning!
sorry about all the fuss over one yb!

golden

sometimes you get them in on day 3

don't worry about it mate, we all been there.

Gaz b wrote:

don't worry about it mate, we all been there.

Will second that Gaz

well after two days of chasing birds i am exhausted,we have one yb left things were looking good with all six yb's on the loft but a large flock of racers flew over my garden and pulled my yb's with them!me being me drove to the house that thay ended up at just down the road a very nice little lady answered the door I told her i wasnt selling anything but wanted to know about the racers that she has, she told me that she just feeds them and if i'd like to take a look she must of had 30/40 birds most with rings on,I will see if any come home tomorrow if not we have to re think our strategy.

golden

All the best Golden it happens to use all mate