new to the fourm

[blue bar 20]

tried to change but couldn't do it

[Gnuretiree]

I intend to put my birds together on Valentine's Day 2/14/2010. I'd like to get some birds flying for the August YB season in Connecticut.

[jmaxpsi]

Originally Posted by blue bar 20

Hi
I just started raising pigeons again after not keeping them for about 20 years, at this time I have 6 homers 2 white and 4 saddle backs the saddle backs are red and black check. Not that all of this has to be said, anyway my question is they are wanting to pair up and breed ,and i'm not sure if it's to early to let them do this.... WOULD LIKE SOME INPUT

THANKS,
YOURS IN THE FANCY,


BLUE BAR 20

I don't know if you want 09 birds or 2010 yb. It also depends on the weather if it permits you to let them breed. I'm breeding my pair of breeding BB homers. They have 2 week old squabs right now. But I live in California so it's still ok for me and I don't race. Otherwise they will be considered old bird for next year. Most racers breed them in the spring and have their yb ready by the end of summer. I hope this helps.

Joey

[victor miller]

HI

IF YOUR GOING TO SEND THEM OFF FOR RACES YOU NEED TO FIND OUT WHEN THE CLUBS START TAKING BIRDS. IF SOME CLUBS START TAKING BIRDS IN FEB OR LATER YOU NEED TO GET YOUR YOUNG BIRD READY TO BE BANDED AT THE FIRST OF JAN WHEN THE NEW BAND COME OUT. SO THE BIRD CAN BE HATCHED IN DEC AND BAND 7 TO 10 DAYS LATER.

I STILL HAVE MY BIRD TOGETHER HERE IN MO IT HAS BEEN IN THE 70'S AND 60'S HERE IN THE DAY AT NIGHT IT GET COOLER I WILL BE PUTTING PLASTIC OVER MY SHED'S AND CAGES SOON.

THANKS VIC

[Columba livia!]

welcome to the forum!

[Alamo]

Would be nice to know what STATE you live in !!! If your in Florida,raise some YB`s...If your up north,SEPERATE the cocks from the HENS,and wait untill March/April 2010....Alamo

[windyflat]

Welcome blue bar 20

[A_Smith]

I'm in PA. I pair my birds Dec. 24th. It's there x-mas present. I know I will have bands for my new YB team when babies arrive.

[re lee]

Around here the race people pair birds the day after thanksgiving. Gives time for pairs to take Then the 10 days to lay then the hatch time Then banding at jan, first So early young are race ready in the fall. So it is not far off on pairing birds.

[LokotaLoft]

its true if you want to race birds you really shouldnt breed them to soon or you wont have your bands to band them and if you breed them to late they wont be ready for the race season so it really all depends on what your planning on doing with your birds be it racing or just hobby flying

p.s. if your just hobby flying the march would be a better time of year to breed your birds

[blue bar 20]

I don't race or show I just raise them for my own enjoyment . So would there be anything wrong with letting them breed ? As far as banding goes I don't band my birds ,so not having bands wouldn't be a problem.
Thanks for all the input,
Yours in the fancy

[spirit wings]

Originally Posted by blue bar 20

I don't race or show I just raise them for my own enjoyment . So would there be anything wrong with letting them breed ? As far as banding goes I don't band my birds ,so not having bands wouldn't be a problem.
Thanks for all the input,
Yours in the fancy

you really should band your babies, it helps to remember what year they were hatched and if one goes astray you can be traced so the bird gets back to you. If you live in a cold climate it is best to wait till spring if you do not have a good reason to hatch this time of year, as the eggs and or babies can get chilled in the winter months. you can use your fake eggs untill then.

[Flapdoodle]

I think it also helps the birds go through a good moult if they are separated. I separate in the fall so they can do this without the added stress of breeding. I pair up around the first of December. Having the birds separated a few months really helps, especially if you re changing your pairings around. I pair up so early so I can have young birds as old as possible and preferably through the moult by the first race in August.

[whitesnmore]

We will put our cock birds in the individual pens on Dec 1 and introduce the hens 5 days later. We are in northern Illinois and have bred early young each year. However, we do breed most young in the heated garage. Once they are fully feathered they move to the YB loft and the temp is slowly reduced and the lights are regulated as we want depending on the system we fly that year.

[Kevin]

Welcome to PT!