I have 15. One was still sat on the nest and didn't want out so only 14 were flying. Its great seeing prince and beauty up there. You can hardly tell them apart! Tomorrow I'm going to empty the loft and give it a good clean and disinfect .
I tried to count but kept getting lost. How many do you have now.
(duh, just realized I could have paused the video)
Has your hawk migration finished now? I'm quite lucky that I don't really get them here but they are out around in the surrounding fields.Nice, nice nice! Loft name and video.It's overcast here too but I'm going to let mine out for a bit as well.
Not really worried about migrating raptors at this point. During the winter the resident hawks concerned me... my thinking was - their regular menu items were scarce, hidden by snow, etc so the pigeons become a more desirable option. Then there's the owl nest with hatchlings across the street!
The pigeons are pretty smart and should be able to outwit most raptors. It's when they're coming into land or messing around on the ground most seem to get taken.Not really worried about migrating raptors at this point. During the winter the resident hawks concerned me... my thinking was - their regular menu items were scarce, hidden by snow, etc so the pigeons become a more desirable option. Then there's the owl nest with hatchlings across the street!
Never-the-less I have had them out several times with no losses this year so far.
Speaking of hawks just lost a homer (hope it did not have eggs). Not 5 minutes ago.
Exactly! Unfortunately mine tend to hang about doing other pigeony things after they fly. That is when my losses occurred I think. I don't fly mine hungry so that's a problem.
Wow, sorry! Was it taken in flight?
Not sure I was inside the loft. I open the trap and checked on eggs and squabs and came out to a spray of white feathers in the yard.
Oh no! What happened ?
Give them half the daily feed in the morning then fly them mid afternoon. When you want them in, shake your can, whistle or whatever you do whilst putting the other half of there feed in. Make sure they see you with the feed tray or container. They should trap alot quicker.Exactly! Unfortunately mine tend to hang about doing other pigeony things after they fly. That is when my losses occurred I think. I don't fly mine hungry so that's a problem.
Sounds like it was taken on the ground. Was it paired or with squabs?
