New pics

[DaveD]

Been awhile since I shared some pics, so here you go.

Hopefully I've got the right address here, lol.
http://community.webshots.com/user/havensloft

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David and Kellie Dittmaier

[TAWhatley]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for sharing the new pics .. you have some very lovely birds. I am fantail biased, so I probably enjoyed the fantail pics the most!

Terry

[Trees Gray]

Hi Dave,

You have some beautiful birds, I especially loved "your favorite pic", your "baby roller", and the Jacobsins. Love the gear around their necks, it looks like they are wearing a fur collar! LOL

Treesa

[maryco]

Beautiful pigeons!!!

Mary

[DaveD]

I'm pretty biased to the fantails too. Most of those were taken before I'd found the group I purchased a few weeks ago. I put batteries on the store list so I can go out and get some pics of those, some are a pastel color, fell in love with them and brought them all home, lol

I can update here when I get some more pics of those taken.

[bird_boy07]

Hey can you do me a favor I need to know the general weight, wingspan, and height in inches on a runt or if kings are similar in size that will do
Thanks

[Reti]

Hi Dave,
you have beautiful birds.
I really enjoyed the pics. Thank you for sharing them.
Reti

[Birdmom4ever]

You have some beautiful birds, Dave. I especially like your in-flight pictures.

[KIPPY]

FAVORITE PICTURE EVER WAS GREAT! THE OTHER PICTURES ARE GREAT ALSO BUT THAT FAV. ONE WAS COOL.

[TerriB]

Hi Dave,

Great pictures - excellent detail on the flying shots! You have an interesting variety of breeds. I especially enjoyed Rainy Day - all the wings up and feathers fluffed out! It looks like you have shredded bark as outside footing. What kind of maintenance does it require? I have pea gravel, hose down once or twice a day and it stays really clean.

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Terri B

[FeatherBrain]

Hi Dave....I love the pix.
btw, ur black fantails are carbon copies of mine! lol... I have a Black malke fantail rake...
Will post my pix as soon as i get my Digi.Cam fixed.

[DaveD]

The bark wasn't in the orginal plans, it just worked out that way. At first, we laid the wire mesh down, added some old carpeting (for weed control) and sand. That really didn't work out the way I planned it, they birds would dig around in the sand and expose the back of the carpeting, and try to eat the foam psdding!!?? No idea why, but seemed like even if i went in and raked things smooth again, they'd come right back out and dig holes.

I wanted to use pea gravel, but by fall, all the local places were sold out, except for the most expensive stuff.

We planned (and still do) to rebuild the whole building at some point, with a proper flight pen. The one that is there was orginally for ducks and chickens, and all I had to do was replace the wiring. However, it doesn't look that great, but for now, it sure serves the purpose.

So, we realized that if we did buy gravel, at some point it would end up being wasted. Then, with perfect timing, the power company came through town and trimmed trees. I also had a few removed, and ended up having them deliver us a few loads of the wood chips, free of charge. Once the landscaping was mulched, we had a large amount left over, so ..............added it to the pens as well.

It's pretty low maintance, I do the same as you, hose it off every now and then. The birds don't seem to dig in it as much, just pick the weed seedlings that pop up all the time. If there is a drawback, some of the males seem to think it's nesting material, and bring bigger bits of it in, lol. There were some smaller twigs in it at first, that missed the shredder, and it was pretty funny watching them try to get a foot long twig though an 8 inch opening, lol.

It's worked out well enough, when I do get the new loft built, i might do the same again, if I time it right we can build around the same time they come back through to trim trees again, lol.

Have a great day everyone!!!

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David and Kellie Dittmaier