Pairing Up...

I know is a bit early to be thinking about pairing up, but when are members thinking about pairing...? I normally pair 1st Saturday in feb, but I`m thinking of pairing earlier for the 2017 breeding season so I can get the ybs on the dark system properly, when I pair feb I seem to be too late for them to go on the dark for the amount of time needed........

any ideas as to whats the best time to pair for the dark system...?

last week of January usually ...still get them on the dark david remember darkness starts last week in march

We're hoping to go on darkness as well David, so, as we won't be racing old birds we are thinking of getting breeding done early and get it out of the way so we can concentrate 100% on the ybs

only a few to pair here so will be pairing a few towards end of January I would think certainly not before Christmas though

Nearly always Feb for us but I might go a bit eariler next season..I myself cannot see the point of pairing around xmas ..far to early but that's my opinion

Don't know why you want darkness birds David you don't race ?.

Don't know why you want darkness birds David you don't race ?.

edgie wrote:

Don't know why you want darkness birds David you don't race ?.

I wouldn't want darkness if I didn't race edgie your correct......but if I get this new loft up I do intend racing at least young birds, cant let the "big two" have it all their own way for another season..........

got to give them some sort of competition, its too easy for them..........

When I raced I had darkness YB's for a good few years, only raced widowhood cocks and wanted them to rear a single YB so I always paired up 12 weeks before first race. I usually paired @18th Jan and YB's were good for 8 - 9 weeks racing, especially young hens which I paired onto the widow cocks after OB racing.

You need to pair up early get them ring as soon as rings come available. They will be more sexually mature for the longer races

I paired up late and I had about 7 pair of ybs sitting but hopefully more when we pair eariler but then again it does not bother me if they are sitting or not.the reason I want them on the dark is so they go all the way if possible

peel bros wrote:

I paired up late and I had about 7 pair of ybs sitting but hopefully more when we pair eariler but then again it does not bother me if they are sitting or not.the reason I want them on the dark is so they go all the way if possible

yes yes they will go all the way but you can motivate them better

peel bros wrote:

I paired up late and I had about 7 pair of ybs sitting but hopefully more when we pair eariler but then again it does not bother me if they are sitting or not.the reason I want them on the dark is so they go all the way if possible

I got my ybs mid to late april come the 3rd race they were sitting even reared a single yb off them paired to old hens ...its the feathering you want in pristine condition for later races

Exactly

Try and pair the birds this January coming and give my self plenty of time but that won't happen as usual all plans go wrong

if I,m still in retirement I will be thinking of pairing last week nov/1st week dec
as I will have plenty time to make sure water does not freeze and birds can eat and feed till later in evening sean