Breeding season started.

[ohiogsp]

Oh, bad deal. I guess the pumpers laying a little later is better than the other way around. Most of them will be alright I think, but worried about a couple. My pumpers are breeding machines keep my fingers crossed I guess. The next round will be raised by the parents so I won't have to worry about it then.

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Well...a bit OT....but once upon a time, one of my pumper pairs were not needed, and by "accident" produced some babies. That "accident" was the start of the current new SFL dynasty. American Aces, Diploma Winners, One Loft Race winners, etc. all the result of being a day or two off...and saying "Oh the heck with it". It was a brother x sister pairing, left over from the previous season because they hatched too late.

Once that happened, their sire was paid more attention to, as was their dam. Years later, the whole loft, and that of "Affilates" has been dramatically affected. So, worse case...maybe...just maybe..let that pumper set that pair of eggs.

[ohiogsp]

My pumpers are pairs that were gave to me mostly last year. Of course people had already bred from these probably without much luck. They are mostly 3-5 years old. I bred from them and did not get much. Alot of the babies got lost before the races ever started and one of the pairs had beautiful babies and every time I put one in a race I never seen it again. I swithched the pairing from what people had if they already bred from them and tried to switch them up a bit but no luck. So, I doubt there is a diamond in the rough there most the birds were probably breeders for at least 3 years and nothing.

[LokotaLoft]

sometimes if you know your pumpers better you could work this out ...so Im thinking if you kept records on the times your pumper pairs stayed on their eggs the better you could judge how good your chances would be with what pairs that stay on their eggs longer to hatch and use those just a thought

[ohiogsp]

Well, candled my eggs today and they all seem to be good. The reason I need to pump these so bad is because I got 4 old cocks from a guy, they are 8-12 years old. They were straight from Cambell Strange and they have produced many winners for him. They are bred very nice and I want to try to get 6-8 birds ea. off these in hopes to have a good racer or 2 or 4 to keep for stock.

[ace in the hole]

The breeding season starts for my birds Today! The girls are in crates right now, waiting to see their guys. The guys all have their nest bowls and are ready to strut their stuff.

They are looking great! This year one half of my team will come from only 5 pair (by using pumpers). I think this is going to be a good year.

Renee, It won't be long now before the baby pics thread!!!!!!!!!!

Ace

[whitesnmore]

Originally Posted by ohiogsp

I believe the younger birds don't have what it takes to go over 300 miles at the end of the season.

I have had a few "OOOPS" babies hatched in June/July finish the 200 & 300 in good time. Didn't win but they had good time and the 200 was their first race!! I find my first round are too wing strong and I lose the majority of them after the first week of loft flying. My second round has been the best. I am not putting birds together until January 10th this coming year to cut down on the losses due to not getting them out early enough.
Ken

[LokotaLoft]

breeding season never stops here but I just have to decide who and what I want to let happen in my loft lol doesnt matter if I have them on lites or not they breed and lays eggs no matter what I like to wait til february myself thou cuz I dont race and its easier on the babys too

[ohiogsp]

Originally Posted by whitesnmore

I have had a few "OOOPS" babies hatched in June/July finish the 200 & 300 in good time. Didn't win but they had good time and the 200 was their first race!! I find my first round are too wing strong and I lose the majority of them after the first week of loft flying. My second round has been the best. I am not putting birds together until January 10th this coming year to cut down on the losses due to not getting them out early enough.
Ken

I have not been that lucky with my younger birds. I did have the same problem you had with loosing my first round last year. This year I am going to train my birds out very early. I hope to have them on open loft by the beginning of march. Last year I did not let them out until may and I think that was a big mistake.

[learning]

Well, I put the last of my breeders together today. The first half have about a two week head start on the rest. I was short hens and thanks to a very good friend, I got some more to fill out the breeding loft. (Thanks a ton Warren!) They were in quarentine for the last two weeks but they are now with their mates. They really didn't need the quarentine time. They were absolutely gorgeous right out of the box, but just to be safe...

LET THE FROLICING BEGIN!!

The love shack is officially open for business!

Dan