New pideons owner

[RezChamp]

OMG! I think I saw weasel[or mink] once while walking my dog very early! Can they get thru 1" square wire openings?

PS @Hokum Coco - Do you remember what thread you posted the DIY waterer video? I want to start making some soon.

Yes weasels can fit thru 1" opening. I have expanded metal screen on a flight cage where I usta keep my KazanTumblers. I went to feed and water one AM and found 5 of the 25 birds dead. That's the only place he could've got in since the door was tight against the jamb and the shutters were all shut(every night). I set a little spring-trap and caught the rarest kind (Least) Weasel.
The expanded metal screening has(yes 'has'... it's still there[stubborn old me]) 1&1/4"X3/4" holes. Actually more like 1&1/4X7/8.

 

[RezChamp]

I think not and hope so for your sake. On the other hand if it were ½" x 2" I would say yes. Ask me how I know.

Dang that's great man. Can I use that term too? Please.

 

[biophiliac]

Yes weasels can fit thru 1" opening. I have expanded metal screen on a flight cage where I usta keep my KazanTumblers. I went to feed and water one AM and found 5 of the 25 birds dead. That's the only place he could've got in since the door was tight against the jamb and the shutters were all shut(every night). I set a little spring-trap and caught the rarest kind (Least) Weasel.
The expanded metal screening has(yes 'has'... it's still there[stubborn old me]) 1&1/4"X3/4" holes.

The Least weasel is the smallest variety?? Are all weasels noctural ?
Some progress on the loft - getting ready to cover the vents.
ETA: from top left = east, west,south, east, north

 

[RezChamp]

Could not seem to locate it. I think I like this one better. It maybe a bit of o tippy canoe with that particular style of bottle (top heavy) other styles may serve better employing the same method.

I've tried. Didn't like it. Tipped over and made a mess in the brooder. I just buy chick waters. They're only $4.99 Cdn.
The grown birds get water out of I drilled 2" (hole-saw) holes around 2" above the bottom of a pail and (3/8)drilled a hole 1&3/4"from the lip in one them reusable plastic jugs you take to the store to refill with reverse osmosis water. Same principal but larger and much more stable. The only time it tipped was the Tom turkey tried to fly-up to perch on it.
Oh wait, there was the time a wounded dog ran blinded by pain into it sending sailing. That was the last time that dog ever killed my birds though. Apparently the waterer was so stable that when that dog ran into it he did some major damage to his insides. Or......it might've been the 5' long 2X4. Hmmmmmm....actually..... A....also it could've been that small piece of brass coated lead that was goin bout 1000'/second that just came outa nowhere. Whichever, the waterer went sailing through the air when he ran into it.

 

[LamarshFish]

PS @Hokum Coco - Do you remember what thread you posted the DIY waterer video? I want to start making some soon.[/QUOTE]

I would stick with the 1/2"x1/2" mesh wire that is sold in 3'x25' or 4'x25' rolls at Home Depot. Not even rats can get through that. Staple it down well, at least every 6 inches, and maybe even throw a few screws down, because larger predators like coons will push things open.

Loft visibility is not something I get living in the city, but one perk is lack of predators. Zero minks or weasels, and I've seen one single raccoon the entire 3 years I've been here so far, and he know lives 10 miles away because I moved him there myself. Minks and weasels like to be near rivers and such. I already killed the entire batch of baby possums in my yard this year. We have rats, but they won't kill pigeons. Only concern is cats and the rare coon that may wander in. All it would take though is me forgetting to close the predator door one night and a cat to come in. Predator proofing is fairly easy, but remaining vigilant to always close doors and such is tougher. One mistake is all it takes.

 

[RezChamp]

The Least weasel is the smallest variety?? Are all weasels noctural ?View attachment 1082262 View attachment 1082263 View attachment 1082264 View attachment 1082265 View attachment 1082266
Some progress on the loft - getting ready to cover the vents.
ETA: from top left = east, west,south, east, north

Yes, the LeastWeasel is the smallest. I've read that I am to consider myself lucky if I ever see one. They are that rare. I am kind of a conservationist. I don't like killing endemic/native creatures if I don't hafta. Well that's kind of lie.... I really like eating many of them. Well maybe not weasel...although I've never tried...and may hafta. Search and Rescue Services training says ...

 

[RezChamp]

Ooooops .
Wrong button.
I se your coop and wanna build again. Looks like you have some skill and take pride in your work.
Can I send my son down to work with you? He apparently hasn't learned from watching his old man.

Have you considered a vent about 1/2way up that'd create a "heat-bubble"/"humidity control? ..and one higher up that you can open or close for heat escape or retention during really hot or cold weather?

 

[biophiliac]

Ooooops .
Wrong button.
I se your coop and wanna build again. Looks like you have some skill and take pride in your work.
Can I send my son down to work with you? He apparently hasn't learned from watching his old man.

Have you considered a vent about 1/2way up that'd create a "heat-bubble"/"humidity control? ..and one higher up that you can open or close for heat escape or retention during really hot or cold weather?

I am so grateful to my brother who is building it [for me his sis] He learned from my Dad who was pretty creative. Mark did some creative framing to maximize my floor space. I'm planning a vent in the ceiling with a sliding panel to adjust. Any suggestion on what size that vent should be - enclosed area is 4 x 6.
Should I have one 1/2 way up as well?

 

[RezChamp]

Hello, I was at a swap meet and had several pideons given to me, he said they were show birds. Lahore and Russian tumblers I think. Can anyone confirm these are those breeds? Also any tips for raising them? Are they prone to disease like rabbits? Any info is appreciated.View attachment 1070189 View attachment 1070190

If your avatar is indeed a pic of you, you look like a very young man. 16-20?
Pigeons are like kids. You can't "go away" for the weekend or a vacation. Even with a "babysitter" you worry.
Perk is, you can't afford drugs and booze because you spend it on your birds.
Kudos young man.

to you.
You know, "Bricks or Bouquets".

 

[RezChamp]

I am so grateful to my brother who is building it [for me his sis] He learned from my Dad who was pretty creative. Mark did some creative framing to maximize my floor space. I'm planning a vent in the ceiling with a sliding panel to adjust. Any suggestion on what size that vent should be - enclosed area is 4 x 6.
Should I have one 1/2 way up as well?

The roof vent on my loft (roughly 7x7x10'@the peak) doubles as a flight hatch(to let the birds out). It's rough opening is 24"X24" but finished opening is 21"X21". The screen is movable so I can open the hatch without the birds getting out or other critters getting in.

A vent about half way from the floor to the ceiling works great for me. You could consider it. Unless of course you plan to have nest boxes and or perches below that. Oh ya, also unless you plan on screening your door to be used as a vent.
I mentioned earlier that I prefer to have my upper and lower vents on the same wall. I've found it decreases "drafts".
I've found it better to have it so all vents can be opened/closed so you I control air flow.