Weaning young birds.

Weaned six today. Shavings on floor but some snow was in there also. No big deal. Pulled the head on one white one. Was just about incapable of moving. Reason? Square nest box. Shavings in. Cold so stayed there. No ambition to get out. Nest mate did and was weaned today. Two of the six weaned are limping. Reason? Dropped from high nest boxes to floor few days ago. Was feed in boxes. Cold weather contributing factor. As parents were busy nesting elswhere. So have killed 5 so far. Never again early breeding. Race birds, cocks and hens were together a while back. Two weeks. No extra lights or such as I used for the stock birds. No eggs or cock birds chasing. But looking! Weather has warmed up. So expect activity soon. Actually hate to post this. Weather here is different from most of you folks. But again, after years of early breeding with no problems I get this stuff. Perhaps some one will get some info from my situation. Back to basics for me. Stick with the natural cycle. As Misty says. 30 C below going out there to look after them..not worth it.

sorry to hear the breedings not gone to plan hal as you say far to cold to be messing around and really not worth the hastle hope it warms up soon for you guys there

oldstrain wrote:

sorry to hear the breedings not gone to plan hal as you say far to cold to be messing around and really not worth the hastle hope it warms up soon for you guys there

Same, same For me an absolute crap type of scenario I'm attempting to breed in those type of conditions O/S etc .

They look OK this morning. Just have to make sure they find the drinker. Spend sometime with them. Above freezing now anyway and for 3 more days. Some rain.

Not good news their Hal with those young one's more of a challenge with temperatures like you have been having but they look OK you have parted

Oh well. They perform or not. But will be given all the care they need. Above freezing now. Cleaned out stock loft, fresh shavings down. Aviary opened up. Racers starting to look at each other. After more than 2 weeks together. Above freezing tomorrow may let birds out.
Interesting message on Facebook. Guy I know and fly with has been trying to get hold of me. 3rd party informed me. Have changed phones and he does not have my email. Not a computer type. So called him and left a message. Worst scenario club has folded Guy who run it has died. Way over 80. Cannot fly any were else. Too much distance. Best scenario he needs some pigeons. Young ones for auction or old birds for breeding. Or young to fly with. Won with them before will give him whatever he wants. As always no charge. Hope it is the latter scenario!!

Hope so too, Hal.

As for ringing and parting young birds etc;


I never had kits all the same age, with open loft pairs laid, as and when, some I wanted to rear others not, so there could be weeks different in age.

Come the races all went sometimes with no training at all.


We all have different ideas, some work, some do not, it is what makes life interesting.


Regards.

I might just add that some pairs fed their young long after they fledged.


Regards.

ybs all look fine to me hal.......

MISTY wrote:

I might just add that some pairs fed their young long after they fledged.


Regards.

Wouldn't have a bar of that type of thing here Misty I'm . Takes all the good food/milk away from the next round type of thing from my perspective when they are born as such. End of the day maybe if they have problems at around 24 days eating & drinking on their own maybe better else where type of thing from my perspective .

Never found any problems, no YBS, no other ailments, always think nature and the animals know what is best rather than humans have written many times, young are taken away too early and their immune system suffers, the parents know when to stop feeding their young and pass on benefits whilst doing so.


Pigeons always in show condition, won both shows and races, no mob flying.


Think I prefer a well tried system with no problems as such than speculative artificial methods.



Regards.

Sigh of relief! Fellow called me. Fed has an auction of young birds here every year. Average price last year $80. Now if you do not donate or buy a young bird the average price is added to your $275 young bird shipping fee. He suggested (as he lives much closer to the Fed Auction site by an hour) He would come here next weekend and pick up one of my bands. Band one of his with it and put it in the auction. So I do not have to pay the auction price when shipping young birds. He retired last year from car collision work. Fixes stuff. Tells me now back at work. Money is tight. Owns his own home etc,. His wife broke her leg last year and cannot work now. So income very reduced.
Any way, was waiting for some thing. Asked me if at all possible I had a white hen to spare. From the American bird. He wants to cross with his. Told him sure. 3 young from her here. Only one I flew was first home and 4th club flying 40 some miles farther. Have two more later breds. Father is a Tmak red. So all is well! People helping each other.
On another note, daughter may be moving back in with us in another month. Will have to grin and bear it. Her only faults are she is bossy, self opiniated and knows eveything. Told my wife it was from her side of the family! She replied. Unfortunately cannot post her comments on here!!