Pigeon Bulletin Board?

[biophiliac]

I set the bath pans on top of this cage. Going to be adding gravel over the corrugated ...

 

[cavemanrich]

Your flock is well homeset.
Now you can start training by taking select groups like 1 mile away for starters, into all directions. East west north and south. Then gradually increase distance. I think , flown from all directions is better than just a single one.
In the racing club that was here 30 years ago in Chicago, my friend would only train his pigeons taking them west. That is the direction the club would release the complete flocks of pigeons from. It was Ole Skool method with mechanical clocks, and they had the distance calculated for the different lofts of fanciers. Just because a pigeon arrived ahead of others time-wise, did not make it the fastest. Other lofts slightly further distances were calculated into the formula. Otherwise the person living closest would be always winning.

 

[biophiliac]

Your flock is well homeset.
Now you can start training by taking select groups like 1 mile away for starters, into all directions. East west north and south. Then gradually increase distance. I think , flown from all directions is better than just a single one.
In the racing club that was here 30 years ago in Chicago, my friend would only train his pigeons taking them west. That is the direction the club would release the complete flocks of pigeons from. It was Ole Skool method with mechanical clocks, and they had the distance calculated for the different lofts of fanciers. Just because a pigeon arrived ahead of others time-wise, did not make it the fastest. Other lofts slightly further distances were calculated into the formula. Otherwise the person living closest would be always winning.

thanks!
As of 2 days ago they are doing some routing at least a group of 8. Now i will think about some short traing tosses. 3 Red-tail hawks across the street this am. One flew low across the roof and my birds took off, mostly together. My birds were flying for at least 45 minutes and I think I have them all back now.

Hawks are a fact of life here so I need my flock to become 'hawk savvy'.
I am actually thinking of letting them out again this afternoon. The weather is great and i don't see the hawks at the moment. I have been letting them out twice on many days.

 

[cavemanrich]

I have resident Red Tailed hawks in the neighborhood as well. I observe them and it seems they have a certain flight path they follow daily. Then when they move on, they do not return until next day or so. They do hang around for a while though.
I have seen them chase my pigeons before, but it seemed the pigeons out flew the hawk in most cases. I have never seen a capture, although, am sure it happens. Many of my pigeons would not return after a hawk pursued them. Probably got lost, or maybe captured down the line.
Not far from me (2 miles) are flocks of feral pigeons. I never see a hawk in that area....
They are not the fastest hawk around.(Red Tail Hawk). I have read somewhere, but not sure exactly where that Cooper Hawks are faster, and therefore more likely able to catch pigeons. They are smaller, and that may explain their stealth.
Your young pigeons of course would have no flying chance against any hawk.

 

[biophiliac]

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171204144805.htm

https://untappedcities.com/2016/03/10/watch-out-those-pigeons-in-nyc-might-be-made-of-felt/

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d...-into-the-mouths-of-their-young/#.W1PnqGBKhdg

 

[biophiliac]

 

[Hokum Coco]

I have lost 7 young birds as of late to hawk attacks I am guessing. Well on one lost bird I am not guessing I saw Mr. Hawk swoop in a grab one form mid air. I am down to 42 birds now.I will not know if it was a bird I can afford to loose or not until I do a proper head count.

 

[biophiliac]

I have lost 7 young birds as of late to hawk attacks I am guessing. Well on one lost bird I am not guessing I saw Mr. Hawk swoop in a grab one form mid air. I am down to 42 birds now.I will not know if it was a bird I can afford to loose or not until I do a proper head count.

Besides not flying the birds, is there anything you can suggest to minimize losses?
Do you know what kind of hawk took your bird?

 

[CCUK]

There has been a campaign in Nottingham city UK to try and remove a peregrine falcon nest in the outskirts. They have been responsible for countless pigeons going AWOL. If you kill or illegally capture one of the than you will get a hefty fine and could go to prison. I really like hawks and falcons it is such a shame they eat pigeons .

 

[Hokum Coco]

Besides not flying the birds, is there anything you can suggest to minimize losses? Try to attract crows around your loft. Do you know what kind of hawk took your bird? No I am not sure I will guess maybe a Cooper's hawk.

I had been flying my pigeons in the morning. I may try the evening to shake things up.