Pigeon Talk

[CCUK]

I released my pigeons yesterday on a nice warm bright day at around 2:00 after not feeding them yesterday morning or the morning before.
I released them in a large open field a half mile from my house, two of them immediately took off and began circling and the other two sat on a telephone wire and wouldn't move. Eventually the two that did fly disappeared in the direction of my house and the other two on the wire just sat there for about thirty minutes. I managed to call the two that were sitting on the wire down and bring them home myself, but the other two never came home. Those two were my best birds and I am honestly shocked they didn't make it back. What did I do wrong?

How long have you had them?

 

[CCUK]

I have done the same - provide bowls and boxes for them to 'play house' while instituting a zero child policy. If there are losses this year I might be able to let some breed, but I can't hope for that!

That's how I need to be. Until I can expand!

 

[Qwerty3159]

Since October or late September this was their first release anywherw but home. When I'd been letting them out this week they started venturing and exploring the whole area so I thought they were ready for it.

 

[biophiliac]

I released my pigeons yesterday on a nice warm bright day at around 2:00 after not feeding them yesterday morning or the morning before.
I released them in a large open field a half mile from my house, two of them immediately took off and began circling and the other two sat on a telephone wire and wouldn't move. Eventually the two that did fly disappeared in the direction of my house and the other two on the wire just sat there for about thirty minutes. I managed to call the two that were sitting on the wire down and bring them home myself, but the other two never came home. Those two were my best birds and I am honestly shocked they didn't make it back. What did I do wrong?

Tell a bit more about how often these have flown before? Or was it first time out. And the birds, how old? Born in your loft? You may have ssaid somewhere else but I forget.

 

[biophiliac]

That's how I need to be. Until I can expand!

Except for Boomer!

Since October or late September this was their first release anywherw but home. When I'd been letting them out this week they started venturing and exploring the whole area so I thought they were ready for it.

OK, so first training toss - How far from home?

 

[Qwerty3159]

The birds were all young and squeaking when I got them in the first week of October. None were born to me I purchased them all as a group.
They've been let out many times from the loft and had few issues coming back down, however yesterday was the first time I took them anywhere.

 

[CCUK]

Since October or late September this was their first release anywherw but home. When I'd been letting them out this week they started venturing and exploring the whole area so I thought they were ready for it.

I'd maybe not worry too much at the moment. I've had them not return but there normally back in the morning or day after. Can you leave the trap open with feed inside? Can they use the Bob wires?

 

[biophiliac]

The birds were all young and squeaking when I got them in the first week of October. None were born to me I purchased them all as a group.
They've been let out many times from the loft and had few issues coming back down, however yesterday was the first time I took them anywhere.

If they have been disappearing on flights for 30min or so then they've been routing and should be ready. First toss should very very close, not even a mile.

 

[CCUK]

Except for Boomer!



OK, so first training toss - How far from home?

Boomer has a special excemption permit!

 

[Qwerty3159]

I'd maybe not worry too much at the moment. I've had them not return but there normally back in the morning or day after. Can you leave the trap open with feed inside? Can they use the Bob wires?

I haven't given up yet, but I was hoping they'd be back by this morning. I have had the trap open since then with some feed inside. All of them can use the bob wires and when I let them out previously from home they almost always did fine coming back in.

If they have been disappearing on flights for 30min or so then they've been routing and should be ready. First toss should very very close, not even a mile.

They were a half mile away.