Pigeon Talk

[Fields Mountain Farm]

That must have been the hardest decision to make. I really feel for you. That you had to give up because of that. I love raptors. They are truly magnificent birds but to see them come and take what you have spent years working towards is heartbreaking. I have alot of tall trees at the back of my property but fortunately they are resident to alot of crows. The only worry I have at the moment is the feral hunters that are out at weekends shooting pheasants, rabbits and pretty much anything that has fur or feathers.

 

[sourland]

That must have been the hardest decision to make. I really feel for you. That you had to give up because of that. I love raptors. They are truly magnificent birds but to see them come and take what you have spent years working towards is heartbreaking. [/QUOT

I have a love/hate relationship with raptors. I spent countless hours watching the sky and the performances of my birds and raptors in the life/death struggle. In the open sky my birds were able to survive all but the Peregrine falcons. Problems arose from overflies when hawks kept harassing to dusk and birds could not come in. For the most part Birmingham Rollers have rather poor homing instinct. Rollers fly as a kit/flock rather than as individuals. Whereas homers would come strafing in to the landing platforms rollers come in as a group. With the tall trees surrounding my yard, my birds would have to bank several times losing momentum so that they could land. It was generally that hawks would attack from above just as they were to hit the landing boards.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

 

[CCUK]

There's not much you can do to stop that. Peregrines are the bane of many a pigeon keeper in UK. They are also VERY protected. If I had a problem with them I'd happily feed them if they would leave them alone. But unfortunately it doesn't work like that.

 

[backyard pigeons]

I have a qeustion for yall, when do you guys pair your birds? I have 3 different pairs im wanting to breed. Thanks

 

[CCUK]

I have a qeustion for yall, when do you guys pair your birds? I have 3 different pairs im wanting to breed. Thanks

I don't have enough space to choose who breeds with who and this being my first year as well. But if I was to decide what, who, when for racing I would pair early in the year to try and get eggs hatched to get the young birds ready for the season. If I was breeding fancy birds I'd probably do the same so I would have 'this years' stock for showing or selling. I don't have any on eggs at the moment but I do have 3 pairs. There is only 1 pair I may want to breed and two others I'd like to pair but I'll see next year.

 

[sourland]

I have a qeustion for yall, when do you guys pair your birds? I have 3 different pairs im wanting to breed. Thanks

I always separated cocks and hens each September. I would make up pairs Feb. 14 by placing desired birds in individual nest boxes. Established pairs would be allowed access to their previous mates. Established pairs would generally be on eggs within 2 weeks and new pairs shortly thereafter. If new pairings had access to or could see previous mates, they would frequently 'renew their vows' and leave birds that I tried to mate them with.

 

[CCUK]

I always separated cocks and hens each September. I would make up pairs Feb. 14 by placing desired birds in individual nest boxes. Established pairs would be allowed access to their previous mates. Established pairs would generally be on eggs within 2 weeks and new pairs shortly thereafter. If new pairings had access to or could see previous mates, they would frequently 'renew their vows' and leave birds that I tried to mate them with.

That's got to be the best date!

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

That's got to be the best date!

X2

 

[sourland]

That's got to be the best date!

Call me a romantic. My Valentine's day gift to them. I know that anthropomorphising sp is all wrong, but to me established pairs showed true emotion and joy at being reunited. Reintroduction made for a several day lovefest.