To old to rehome?

[hookedonpigeons]

I got a nice young pair of saddle homers from a friend at the show yesterday and woundered if they are to old to rehome.They have 2012 FOYS bands on them.
Just now old enough to sex the birds.He said that they never were flown at his loft.


Thanks,
Logan

 

[sourland]

If they have never been flown, they should settle into your loft with no problem. Ocassionally our AC officer brings me 'lost' homers. I can generally track down their owners through the leg bands. Only one has wanted the lost bird back - long story there. I feed them up, get them healthy and then allow them out with my birds. About half of these birds that have been raced settle into my loft. The other half probably head for home where their future is questionable.

 

[hookedonpigeons]

Thanks sourland,do saddle birds have a good homing instinct?I dont plan on racing but do want to fly them.I would like to take them 50-75 miles and cut them loose when the time comes.
How do you train them to go threw a trap door?I have them in a 2x3 wire bottom pen with a nest box.I am going to put a trap door in the side of the pen.Anything else i need to know?

Thanks,
Logan

 

[nzpouter]

aren't they just racing pigeons with saddle marking? Ours fly 2-300 km.

 

[hookedonpigeons]

aren't they just racing pigeons with saddle marking? Ours fly 2-300 km.

Yes,they are racers with black saddle on there wings.They are are very pretty birds.I just dont now how to train them.He said they come from a great racing family.

Thanks,
Logan

 

[nzpouter]

same way you train normal race birds, let them fly and range around home first, then toss them 5ks, 15ks, 50 etc...

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

When the heck did he get the bands? It's only April. You could probably rehome them if you keep them in for a month or so first.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

nzpouter, many saddle homers here have been turned into show birds with no regards to homing ability. Mostly because it can be difficult to keep the perfect saddle marking. Although many of them do loft fly them and some continue to train them. So the homing quality can vary. You won't know until you try!

 

[deerman]

Becky is dead on......most homers bred for saddles , colors ,and show made not home very good .
now all pigeon will home , just the better homers dont get lost miles from home

 

[rmeltonknox]

The will be fine as long as you keep them up for a while. Once they are at home in your loft, they will home to your loft, especially if they have never flown loose before somewhere else.