A tip for the breeding loft

Over the years, I've tried most things to give my birds everything they want, or at least everything I think they need.

This little tip came from my dad many years ago, for a long time I forgot about it, but now it's the biggest tip I can give anyone.

It's very simple but I can guarantee you it works, and it is put a salt block in your shed while you are breeding youngsters, you will be amazed at the youngsters droppings around the bowl, you will not get loose droppings ever.

It needs to stay in front of them all the time, so they just have a peck at it when they need it, please don't use loose table salt or rock salt as they will take to much, it must be a salt block/lick

before anyone says it will make the to thirsty, try it, it stops all that running around looking for something when they've got big youngsters in the nest.

Also put it on a piece of wood, or in a china bowl as it will draw the damp, please don't use galvanised as I think it reacts with the salt

Looking forward to your comments

Fred Holbard

thanks for the tip fred where would i get this from

you get it from any horse shop, it's a bit like a house brisk, very hard, I normally break it in half by tapping across the centre all round with a hammer (gently), the best thing is they're only a couple of quid

you could then drill it and hang it up, but it will still need a drip tray underneath it

cheers fred thanks for that

have you ever broken up sandstone for them to pic old member used to sware by this

No I never have Ian, my dad used to give them coal dust, It's for the mineral content, probably for the same reason.

many ideas cant do them harm they,ll only take what they need

hi fred, thanks for the tip.......do you place a small piece in the nest boxes or put one big piece in the loft for them all to share.

No David never small pieces they will gorge on it when they have young, a bit about half a house brick will do, its so hard they really have to bash it to get some off

Hi Fred like the idea, just a thought would you not have to replace the block on a daily basis, with the air being very damp espeacialy this year , i know you said to place in on wood or china pot but what ever moister is in the air wouldent this help break the block down enabling the birds to eat more than you would want
Ken

Hi Ken, because of the hardness of the salt lick, it doesn't break down, I take mine out after breeding and replace them(the old ones) when the babies are about 8 days old, the following year.

I don't know how many of you remember them, but, my dad used the ones that you could buy in the 60's, they were a lot softer, and if I remember correctly, was the only way you could by salt, at the time.

I do however prefer the salt licks

Thanks Fred i will give that a try this year,
Ken

let us know how you get on Ken, I think you'll like the results

Will do Fred

Ken

have you used the salt block with iodine in they are redish in colour have just odered some

ian wrote:

have you used the salt block with iodine in they are redish in colour have just odered some

Yes Ian, I have used it, iodised mineral block, my dad had one in front of the naturals at all times, when it was getting a bit small he would stand on it and it would crush up to dust.

Fred i still crush a piece of coal up and put in loft, my granfather used to swear by it, so its just something ive carried on doing, must admit though ive never seen it in other lofts
Ken

I've never done it either Ken, but when I was a kid, my dad would send me down to Lawrences' coal yard, half way down our street, to get a shovel full of coaldust

Fred the older generation must have known something we dont or as been lost with time, they never treated their birds and what they gave them was natural and they dident have half the problems we have today the birds always looked in tip top condition
Ken

No disrespect intended Ken, and present company accepted, but we are the older generation now

Cheers Fred
Ken

mind you you might not of that that last weekend

Ken

Hi Fred i bought some lick salt, needed a hammer jack to break it lol, question do you only put one piece in or a few dotted around the loft
Ken

ken I break mine in half and put one piece in each section

nice avatar btw