new birds

[aarongreen123]

i am getting some new birds, white birds actually, and i had a few questions for the non-racing type people. i have recently read some articles regarding getting birds home as a priority not so much getting them home as quickly as possible. ( not that racers don't want their birds back or anything) i have always read that we should fly our birds hungry, but recently i have read that people in the white bird release business make sure their birds are fed full before they catch them for a release, as they feel it will help them get home if they get off track due to a hawk or other distraction. i know there are so many experienced flyers here, i wanted to pose that question and see all the answers from you all.
do you guys believe that feeding or not feeding gets the birds home more reliably one way or the other?

[Grim]

If you are in no rush to get them home it would not hurt to fly full. The birds will probably take their time getting home and upon arrival going back into the loft would be their last interest unless they were thirsty. Since most don't go beyond 50 miles I see no point in flying full. If the bird gets distracted by a hawk or anything it should still be able to make it home the same day.

[DynaBMan]

Originally Posted by aarongreen123

i am getting some new birds, white birds actually, and i had a few questions for the non-racing type people. i have recently read some articles regarding getting birds home as a priority not so much getting them home as quickly as possible. ( not that racers don't want their birds back or anything) i have always read that we should fly our birds hungry, but recently i have read that people in the white bird release business make sure their birds are fed full before they catch them for a release, as they feel it will help them get home if they get off track due to a hawk or other distraction. i know there are so many experienced flyers here, i wanted to pose that question and see all the answers from you all.
do you guys believe that feeding or not feeding gets the birds home more reliably one way or the other?

I can't answer this question from my own experience, but I have a neighbor who used to have white release birds for weddings and such and he always kept his a little hungry. As far as I know, he never had a problem getting them home reliably.

[Trees Gray]

If you have them well trained, they should KNOW where home is and HOW to get inside, but for their safety keep them hungry so they will return and go into their coop where the seed is. I think if you allow them to be full and let them hang out outside it is just teaching them bad manners and you might get some unwanted onlookers, depending on your neighbors.

[LokotaLoft]

you have to remember flying release birds full isnt always a good thing because flying a full bird means more poop and you dont needor want that when some one is holding your birds at a wedding or any type of release ...less poop means happier people and less worry about messy feets or feathers in a tight basket situation plus getting your birds home faster means they will be safer sooner too...

[Grim]

You may also get unwanted guests such as coopers or other Birds of Prey. That is why a hungry bird goes inside the loft to eat. Birds who lounge attract attention and look vulnerable which is what ambush hawks look for.

[trailbound]

Excellent advice Grim,
I have release birds, and I always fly them hungry, besides the obvious, I don't want my bride and groom getting crapped on, the more time they spend outside the loft is more time they can fall prey to hawks. I teach them to hurry, hurry, hurry.
Kelley

[aarongreen123]

so should i not even allow them to go outside into an aviary? that would essentially give them a place to lounge and hang out, and by this logic could result in hawks observing them for patterns, or am i over thinking this? or shoudl i only allow them into an aviary at specified times? i was thinking i could put bath water out there for the summer so they could bath at will, but not if the affect will be negative on the birds in any way.

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by aarongreen123

so should i not even allow them to go outside into an aviary? that would essentially give them a place to lounge and hang out, and by this logic could result in hawks observing them for patterns, or am i over thinking this? or shoudl i only allow them into an aviary at specified times? i was thinking i could put bath water out there for the summer so they could bath at will, but not if the affect will be negative on the birds in any way.

yes........
That is exactly what the aviaries are for. They can get out in the sun, you can give them a bath, they can get fresh air, but still be protected from predators. If you're going to have pigeons, most likely, you're going to have hawks. Just the nature of the beast. Confining your birds in thier loft to keep them safe is not the answer. They need to have fresh air.
Beside, in an aviary, if a hawk or anything else tries to get to them, they learn to RUN inside and hide.