SFL "test kit" updates here

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Hello Allen,

One of the things that I try not to do, is have my birds out all day in trees, on the roof, etc. I view this as teaching them bad habits, because on race day, don't be surprized when the birds decide to chill out for awhile on the roof or in the trees, before trapping.

The other issue, is with all those hours out there, they will tend to get themselves in trouble. I would allow them out to fly and then when they are done flying then call them in to eat. If they don't respond to your calls, then you have no control over your birds, and they are training you, instead of the other way around.

Here at SFL the birds are expected to be flying or sitting inside the secure loft, house sitting and tree sitting is a habit that will come back to haunt you....but that is just my thoughts on the subject.

[hillfamilyloft]

I agree here with Warren
If you let the birds sit in trees and hang around on the loft you are looking for trouble. Hawk problems, neighbor problems, bad habbit problems, etc. A well trained flock will fly, land on the loft, and come in at your call - whistle, shake of a can etc. I keep my birds just a little hungry. I also have a rule at my loft, I feed twice a day. When training, I fly feed, fly feed. This way they they have to trap to eat. I give them a few minutes to trap and if they sit on the loft, I remove the feed. They have to wait for the next fly feed cycle. This cures them of the "sitting around" habbit very quickly. I also have a time limit. If I have to leave and it is about dark, I close the trap and leave the bird out over night. I do not want to jepordize the flocks safety for one deliquent bird. He will come in next fly cycle. I watched a guys birds come home from a 200 mile race and sit on the loft for about 15 minutes before trapping. They need to know who is boss. Watch a movie from one of the best fliers in the world and watch their birds trap. Most trap within second of landing. I hand feed about half of the time, so the birds do not have problems trapping while I am in the loft. I have found some that do not trap right away are waiting until I go in before they trap. I shake, I whistle and they come. Don't get me wrong, I do have birds down from "De Zitter". This bird from the Janssen Brothers was know for sitting and gazing at the sites when comming home from races. He still won his fair share. There is good days and bad days. They good are usually related to feeding and consistency.
Randy

[A_Smith]

3 more birds home today for dinner.

[A_Smith]

Well I'm very happy today. Today when I let my future winners out to fly, Not only did they fly, But did fly in small groups. I kept them on the wing by keeping them off the loft roof. Also some took of and went sight seeing and remembered home. The birds all trapped into loft about 1/2 hr. earlyer than normal. (BUT 1) I think this is because of a reduction of food and tired wings. As Warren said on pigeonradio "lean and mean". Mine are not mean but are leaning out nicely. The one that came home late about 1 hr later than rest I thought was gone, BUT s/he just likes to come home late. (did this last time too). One thing for sure I can tell SFL-USA birds in the air and in the loft hiding the band standing on one leg. The birds just look like winners. Gracefull on the fly, always in a nice grouping, and even perch near eachother. All my birds are special but SFL birds can be noticed without much difficulity. They look like winners and are a team. I will be putting them to the test against my other racers. I guess we will need to wait to see who earns the top perchs.

[Trees Gray]

Thank you for the update, and I'm glad your SFL USA birds are training so well....any chance we can get a picture of them now that they are growing up and "working out"?

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Yea I am with Treesa,

Let's see some photo's of those Champs ! I had some of my SFL USA banded birds out for the first time this past week, and within an hour, there was a Cooper Hawk pinning one of the birds to the ground !

I was able to rescue that one, but another one was a bit strong on the wing, and by my guess, he didn't stop till he crossed the state line. Now that was three days ago, and I have yet to see that bird again. With that "excitement" out of the way, the rest seem to be settling just fine. That is, until our resident Cooper gets hungrey again.

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Today four birds from my SFL USA YB team were placed into a USPS shipping container and shipped to the Flamingo International Challenge at

http://www.flamingoic.com/index.php?...055c4b954787ea

there they will be weaned and trained for several races including 150,200,250 and 350 mile races. There they will not only compete in four difference races, but also the average speed from these four different races. I mean here we are talking about the best of the best, in the USA !!

[Trees Gray]

Hi Warren,

So... it's off to school for the"best of the best" youngsters.

I pray they will be safe and enjoy their new lives.

Please keep us updated on the little champs.

[whitesnmore]

Originally Posted by SmithFamilyLoft

Today four birds from my SFL USA YB team were placed into a USPS shipping container and shipped to the Flamingo International Challenge at

http://www.flamingoic.com/index.php?...055c4b954787ea

there they will be weaned and trained for several races including 150,200,250 and 350 mile races. There they will not only compete in four difference races, but also the average speed from these four different races. I mean here we are talking about the best of the best, in the USA !!

Mr Warren, How have you been???? Looks like we will be flying against each other this year Are you going to make it to Detroit? Whats the chance of getting a batch of them there SFL USA birds? Mix me up a real good batch when you do. Talk with ya later and keep em flyin'.
Ken
kanddlofts.com

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Originally Posted by whitesnmore

Mr Warren, How have you been???? Looks like we will be flying against each other this year Are you going to make it to Detroit? Whats the chance of getting a batch of them there SFL USA birds? Mix me up a real good batch when you do. Talk with ya later and keep em flyin'.
Ken
kanddlofts.com

Hello Ken !

Now please don't tell me that you are going to have to fly againest SFL USA banded birds in the AU Convention Race, and not out of the same loft !!
I had a friend of mine do that once, the SFL USA banded birds waited for his birds to come home late one day from a training toss and then they ganged up on them and beat them up...he got so mad at me...that we haven't spoken since ! I tried to explain that they were not bred to be well mannered, they will often beat up on the local boys, take their lunch money and the high perches.

If you are sending birds to Lynn...maybe they can find a safe spot on the floor somewhere for your sweet birds to hide out ?

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Originally Posted by Trees Gray

Hi Warren,

So... it's off to school for the"best of the best" youngsters.

I pray they will be safe and enjoy their new lives.

Please keep us updated on the little champs.

Yes...thank you, here is the "Harvard" of the racing pigeon schools....If ya think your pigeon kids are smart, then pony up the $400 entry fee, and let them demonstrate their mettle ! I was lucky, in that mine qualified for student loans and grants !!

[mr squeaks]

Sounds exciting, Warren!

Really looking forward to updates!!

Best of everything!!

[Trees Gray]

Hi Warren,

That is exciting, and I will be looking forward to hear about their Harvard Racing Pigeon school diplomas, PHD's...that is...

[whitesnmore]

[quote=SmithFamilyLoft;187444]Hello Ken !

Now please don't tell me that you are going to have to fly againest SFL USA banded birds in the AU Convention Race, and not out of the same loft !!
I tried to explain that they were not bred to be well mannered, they will often beat up on the local boys, take their lunch money and the high perches.

If you are sending birds to Lynn...maybe they can find a safe spot on the floor somewhere for your sweet birds to hide out ?

Considering I will be sending direct children off of some SFL USA birds from years gone by they will recognize them as family and leave them alone. Who knows, maybe even let them in on the top spot.... Really, Jenna and Dylan are sending one apiece to the JR. race. One out of 903 and one out of 919. I on the other had will not reveal my personal ammunition until it kicks those chickens in your loft

[learning]

Hey Whitesnmore,

I wouldn't be trying to ruffle any feathers just yet. Until proven otherwise, those "chickens" have a pretty solid history. Seems to me to be a quick way to embarass yourself in a hurry if things don't turn out the way you hope.

Dan