Hey, how about some good luck for a change?

[DaveD]

After a few delays for weather, the birds were finally allowed outside on thier own today. Although I've always heard late afternoon, I decided after all the losses taken in past attempts, we'd try morning.

A kit of 22 was released, mainly rollers, and also the pen of homers who managed to get themselves out of thier cage. And a new arrival who managed to get back into the main pen.

At about 1:30 this afternoon, they've all been up and flying, and all but 2 have returned. I'm missing the newcommer, (who was out and in the air before i even spotted him, the disadvantage to having many blue bars), and also missing a young homer. The rest of them are inside once more, and I've left the door to the flight open in case the others return.

After such a rough year and heavy losses, it's wonderful to finally have something work out as planned. Thanks to all of you who have helped us over the last year or so.

Thanks all, Dave

------------------
David and Kellie Dittmaier
Haven's Loft
www.geocities.com/havensloft

[raynjudy]

Like the man said, "It can't rain all the time."

May the wind be at your back from here on, my friend.

PIGEONS FOREVER!!!

--Ray

[TAWhatley]

Hi Dave!

Thanks for the good news post! I'm glad your fids decided to be good little pigeons and come back as they should. Hopefully the two "laggers" will also return shortly.

Terry Whatley

[bigbird]

Good news!
Stay with it!
Regards,
Carl

[fred2344]

Dave,
I'm very relieved for you. There can be a lot of tension when that coop door is opened.
Missing two doesn't mean that they are in trouble. I have heard stories about homers that returned after a year or more. They can become sidetracked by the opposite sex.
Keep the midnight lamp lit for them. You may be pleasnatly surprised but who knows when?

[DaveD]

Just some updates. Yesterday evening, one of the two laggers showed up.

This morning, the kit went out once more, with 14 others added in. They did fly for some time, one group stayed up quite a while, but then returned. I allowed them to stay out for a bit and called them in, and they came in and ate as if they've been doing this for years. No losses today.

Thanks all for the support,

Dave

------------------
David and Kellie Dittmaier
Haven's Loft
www.geocities.com/havensloft

[DaveD]

Day 3: A third group went out today, and also all returned. About the time they were going in for the evening, our roller who vanished the first day out came strolling up the drive, and has rejoined the group. I'm not sure, believe he may have tried to return to his old loft, 2 miles away. Owner said he saw a bird there the evening this one vanished. However, that loft was damaged in a storm and had to be torn down.

At any rate, this makes our return rate 100% so far. . . . .

[TAWhatley]

Hi Dave!

That is truly great news! I don't think I could stand the stress of what you all do .. in my case, I release rehabbed ferals that are ready to go and I can't beat them away from my place with a stick! This makes me feel good in many ways, but in others, I now know that I have about 1 BAZILLION ferals to find homes for <LOL>!

Terry Whatley

[raynjudy]

!

PIGEONS FOREVER!!!

Ray N' Judy

[Psion]

Way to go Dave!!! I can't wait to get my rollers flying again... I'm down to 5 now though and I just got 2 of them so it'll be a week or two. I also am getting some good feed into them. Thats great about that one lone ranger, lol. I had one who was gone for 4 days, I never thought I'd see him again. I was totally amazed. But now he's gone... He was one of the birds that died in my loft (almost all of them ). So, I'm starting up small again (not much choice, all my birds died, well... almost) and I hope I can get these 5 going good. Seems weird having only the 5 birds in the loft, lol. Maybe though they'll actually fly like they should now that they have the new feed.

Good luck,
Nick