UK pigeon owners

[CCUK]

I predict you will make more advances in trust over time and I agree it is very satisfying. Recently I realized my original 8 birds had become much, much calmer with me. At first they would struggle so much when I would try to hold one that I thought my hands were just too small, but now they are pretty relaxed and I have no problem holding one. I think they take in how the young birds interact with me - so unafraid they can be a tad disrespectful at times!

That's kids for you! I've not been good with keeping track of my second round of hatchlings. I think the first two should be out any day! Then the third about 4-5 days after. I'm not convinced it will end well for that one. The second nest should be about a week after. I'm checking everyday for babies. I'm hoping that with this second hatch I may be able to let the parents out. I want to see the whole loft flying. Only then will I be truly happy. I don't like seeing them stuck in a loft or aviary without having the freedom to fly. But I do want them to return!

 

[biophiliac]

. I'm hoping that with this second hatch I may be able to let the parents out. I want to see the whole loft flying. Only then will I be truly happy. I don't like seeing them stuck in a loft or aviary without having the freedom to fly. But I do want

I felt the same way, did not like keeping them captive from end of Dec til end of June for the adults. I was worried their flying muscles would atrophy - didn't happen. I was maybe overcautious but they had babies to feed... Now I let them out twice a day most days.

It is sad when you lose a hatchling. It has happened in my loft more than once, all within a day or two of hatching.

 

[CCUK]

I felt the same way, did not like keeping them captive from end of Dec til end of June for the adults. I was worried their flying muscles would atrophy - didn't happen. I was maybe overcautious but they had babies to feed... Now I let them out twice a day most days.

It is sad when you lose a hatchling. It has happened in my loft more than once, all within a day or two of hatching.

How many adults did you start off with?

 

[biophiliac]

How many adults did you start off with?

6 hens and 2 cocks as it turned out. All of the hens have produced babies.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I think you should try to let your squeakers go at their own pace without Boomer

Good advise season pigeons will bring new fliers beyond their reach and can be lost.

 

[CCUK]

Well one is now here!

Hatched this morning. Just got to keep an eye on what's happening. Wednesday I'll be ringing them!

 

[biophiliac]

Watching 12 of the fliers doing a few warm up loops overhead this morning I think I saw 3 ferals join up with them before they all flew off.

You band yours earlier than I do, whatever works!
Have fun with your ybs, i bet the third one comes out today.

 

[CCUK]

All three youngster's have been out today! The third one that didn't come out yesterday came out today and flew straight onto my house roof! The other two flew around in a very clumsy circle and crash landed back on the platform! That was about it. It's been really hot so I think it may have been a bit warm for them to want to fly much. They just wanted to sun themselves and jump in the water bowl. Boomer went out once they were back had about 20-30 minutes out, returned and stuck her head straight in the water! These birds can be so much fun to watch. They all have very distinct personalities and some very quirky traits!

 

[biophiliac]

These birds can be so much fun to watch. They all have very distinct personalities and some very quirky traits!

So true! The more you watch the more you see.
Some pics of the last group(i hope) of ybs - 2 nest mates and an only child. I'm putting them together for a few minutes a day under close supervision so they know each other when they hit the floor. Another BYC member put this idea in my head. I think it might help the singleton the most.

 

[CCUK]

So true! The more you watch the more you see.
Some pics of the last group(i hope) of ybs - 2 nest mates and an only child. I'm putting them together for a few minutes a day under close supervision so they know each other when they hit the floor. Another member put this idea in my head. I think it might help the singleton the most.
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Sweet! How is the one you hand fed doing?