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Re: Young birds landing in trees
Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2025 1:07 am
by Murray
It's frustrating Pete.
I had the same problem this year. In Bendigo I would leave the babies with the parents and they would copy them. So they were taught to fly and come in on the call.
Here they went out on their own, and there are trees in our back garden. So they landed in them. I've solved part of that by cutting half the trees down
and another couple are marked to come down.
But mainly, they've grown up, are flying an hour before breakfast, and are pretty good now. Some of the younger ones still do it, but after they miss their breakfast a couple of times, they cut it out.
There's still two trees in front of the loft which makes flying onto the board a bit tricky, so they are coming out.
But mainly, you just have to be patient, get them flying well in a kit and getting an appetite. Feed them just enough, not starving not not a pea too many. They will stop it if you persist.
Re: Young birds landing in trees
Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2025 5:10 am
by PeteDerby
Murray wrote: ↑Sat Apr 26, 2025 1:07 am
It's frustrating Pete.
I had the same problem this year. In Bendigo I would leave the babies with the parents and they would copy them. So they were taught to fly and come in on the call.
Here they went out on their own, and there are trees in our back garden. So they landed in them. I've solved part of that by cutting half the trees down
and another couple are marked to come down.
But mainly, they've grown up, are flying an hour before breakfast, and are pretty good now. Some of the younger ones still do it, but after they miss their breakfast a couple of times, they cut it out.
There's still two trees in front of the loft which makes flying onto the board a bit tricky, so they are coming out.
But mainly, you just have to be patient, get them flying well in a kit and getting an appetite. Feed them just enough, not starving not not a pea too many. They will stop it if you persist.
Thanks Murray. Glad it’s not just me. My loft is in open countryside at the edge of a village and there’s at least 50 very mature trees they can choose from within 200m of the loft so hacking them down isn’t going to be an option
Re: Young birds landing in trees
Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2025 1:12 pm
by NeilA
How much are you feeding Pete now is it nice and light ?
Re: Young birds landing in trees
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 5:43 am
by PeteDerby
NeilA wrote: ↑Sat Apr 26, 2025 1:12 pm
How much are you feeding Pete now is it nice and light ?
The older ones are getting an ounce a day, the babies all they want for 15 mins then trough taken away. Once training starts I’m planning going depurative mix, right now it’s champion mix 90% plus some safflower. They trap pretty well on the whole, so my biggest concern is the landing in trees.
Re: Young birds landing in trees
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 8:19 am
by Murray
If I may suggest, Pete, rather than feeding this now, and this then, then something else, and having to get it right every time you change or have them back in the trees, and they will,
decide on, or make, a mixture that is pretty light, but not a poverty mix. Feed all of them on it every day and adjust until you have them under good control.
That'll do until you get to racing, then you can think about race mixes and lie awake at night wondering who is giving you the good advice and who isn't
Re: Young birds landing in trees
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 8:50 am
by NeilA
PeteDerby wrote: ↑Sun Apr 27, 2025 5:43 am
NeilA wrote: ↑Sat Apr 26, 2025 1:12 pm
How much are you feeding Pete now is it nice and light ?
The older ones are getting an ounce a day, the babies all they want for 15 mins then trough taken away. Once training starts I’m planning going depurative mix, right now it’s champion mix 90% plus some safflower. They trap pretty well on the whole, so my biggest concern is the landing in trees.
So do the older ones fly well then go to the tree or just go to the tree after a short fly
Re: Young birds landing in trees
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 11:31 am
by Murray
I saw this and thought it very good illustration.
I try not to make my pigeons do what I want. A try to let them do what I want. Subtle but infinitely important difference.
Re: Young birds landing in trees
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 1:03 pm
by NeilA
Murray wrote: ↑Sun Apr 27, 2025 11:31 am
I saw this and thought it very good illustration.
I try not to make my pigeons do what I want. A try to let them do what I want. Subtle but infinitely important difference.
When does your season start Murray ?
Bet you can’t wait
Re: Young birds landing in trees
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 10:25 pm
by Murray
About another 8 weeks, Neil. Bang in the middle of winter. But I''ll not be in the first couple, I think I live be further out than the lib point. So the days will be starting to draw out a little by then.
The young stars have had a good course of tosses, every second day for several weeks, and did well. I was a bit tough on them but I wanted to sort out anything that was a bit weak or soft.
They've had a couple of weeks off to finish the moult, they are looking great. Start working them up soon. As you say, I'm really looking forward to it.
Re: Young birds landing in trees
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 10:38 pm
by NeilA
Murray wrote: ↑Sun Apr 27, 2025 10:25 pm
About another 8 weeks, Neil. Bang in the middle of winter. But I''ll not be in the first couple, I think I live be further out than the lib point. So the days will be starting to draw out a little by then.
The young stars have had a good course of tosses, every second day for several weeks, and did well. I was a bit tough on them but I wanted to sort out anything that was a bit weak or soft.
They've had a couple of weeks off to finish the moult, they are looking great. Start working them up soon. As you say, I'm really looking forward to it.
I am actually looking forward to your races as it’s clear you and me have similar views on race food and training
Best of luck