Loft Advice

[learning]

Hap,

Great idea about the PVC! I will deffinitely look into it. Brad, I forgot to answer you question about the design program I used. Yes, I did all of it myself and the program is called Home Designer 6.0 that I got for like $30 at Costco. I am more of a visual learner and need to see it! Besides, it gives me something I can hang on the wall to keep me inspired!

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Dan,

That program sounds like a neat little thing to have indeed, cheap too! I'm really impressed with your design and also your carpentry skills! Not only are you building this humongous loft yourself from scratch, but you're also dealing with uneven terrain and having to make stilts to support the loft. This whole project will take a lot of skill, hard work and know-how. I can't wait to see the finished product and I'm sure you will feel very proud and accomplished when it's finished

I love to build myself, and designing and planning things is the most fun. The hard part is the actual work. I don't have a loft myself or a huge flock of birds but it's interesting to see others starting on such a huge project and working on it from the ground up, literally!

Terri brings up a point that I didn't put much thought into....your wooded lot. It appears to be seperate altogether from your actual, fenced backyard. Did you buy this lot later on or was it always part of your land? How large is that wooded area back there? It looks very dense and "wild" Terri had suggested that you might be lacking direct sunshine with all those trees around which is true, but I was thinking that perhaps there could also be a lot of critters in those woods...lurking. There would be a lot of trees for hawks to hide in and stalk your pigeons. You may want to think about clearing some more trees to give you more sun on the loft and as well to give your birds a good clearing to spot predators. Just a thought here but we can only see a couple of pictures and don't get the full perspective.

Looking forward to more pictures and updates on this construction project

[learning]

Brad,

The lot is about 1 1/3 acres with a revine running right through the middle. The people that had it before didn't use the back of the lot at all and fenced in the front for their dog. When I decided to get back into pigeons the back half was the only logical choice. I took out 19 trees to clear the area for the loft. It is quite dense in the summer but it isn't as bad as the pictures make it look. There are houses behind us that also have about 1 - 1 1/2 acres. Most of the lots behind us have been completely cleared so there isn't that much woods back there, maybe 40 - 50 feet back from the loft.

As far as hawks go, welcome to Georgia! The flyers down here complain about the hawks no matter if they are in the woods or in the wide open spaces. Like everyone else down here I am just going to have to be extra vigilant when excercising the birds. We do have a red tail that seems to have a permanent home neerby and I understand that they usually will leave pigeons alone in favor of easier prey. I also understand that a larger hawk like a red tail tends to keep the smaller species, (that would be more of a direct threat) away. That is what I am hoping for anyway!

The loft does face Southest and since removing the trees I have noticed that it does get a good amount of sunshine during the day. I will difinitely keep the supplements in mind, however. Hopefully in two years I will be welcoming my new stock into the finished product!

Dan

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Dan,

Oh, ok....yes, from the pictures it looks like a very dense and deep forest, lol. 50 feet of those trees isn't so bad or really dense woods I suppose

Yep, it's true, red tails aren't so much of a threat to pigeons because they are slower and more cumbersome in flight. They still might be able to catch a pigeon by surprise though and if hungry enough.

Crows are a good bird to attract to your area because they are mortal enemies of hawks of all kinds and will harrass them relentlessly until they move on. On the flip side, crows will eat the nestlings and eggs of pigeons if they can get at them. Otherwise, they generally won't bother adult pigeons.

Hopefully you can get your loft done in less than two years...I don't know if I can wait that long to see the finished product !

[learning]

Brad,

I hope I can get done earlier than that too! The determining factors are going to be money and time. As I mentioned earlier, I am doing this by myself so it does slow things down. The money issue is two fold because I am not only saving extra money for the loft but I also have to save for my initial breeding stock. Oh well, rome wasn't built in a day!

In the mean time I am going to post an updated floorplan. I added an 8 x 12 walk in aviary for the breeders on the front instead of the back. I did this for ease of entry on my part but also to get them on the sunny side of the loft. Since these will be prisoners, I figured they need as much space and sunshine as I can give them.

I will get pictures up as I get them.

Dan

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[learning]

O.K. Guys,

I got the platform frame done today so now it is on to the floor! Could somebody out there tell me the differences in quality and performance of 3/4" tounge and groove plywood and 3/4" toungue and groove OSB? The plywood is $4 more per sheet and I will need 25 sheets. I would like to save that $100 if there is no appreciable difference between the two products, but if the plywood is significantly better I don't mind spending the extra money. Thanks in advance.

Dan

[Lovebirds]

My husband says that the OSB is a glued together stranded boards and that it will chip up when you scrape it. He said you don't have to use Tongue and groove, but you could check on plywood that is exterior grade, good on one side and put two good coats of oil base, porch and deck paint. We got ours at Lowes. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...000&lpage=none

[learning]

Thanks Renee, I will look into that. Sounds like the OSB isn't a very good idea for flooring. I have noticed several contractors around here use it for walls under siding. Would it work for interior walls? Thanks for the help.

Dan

[george simon]

HI DAN, I was wondering if you have a ,feed room/office in the loft,also what type of watering system you plan on having.I think that a automatic watering system will be needed in this loft. GEORGE

[learning]

Hi Gerorge,

The area to the left as you come in will be set up with a utility sink, feed storage as well as shelf and counter space. I am planning on having the waterers accessible from the hallways. From past experience with horses, I am not thrilled with the reliability of the automatic waterers out there. I have seen entire barns flood from faulty or leaky waterers. They sure sound great in principal but I just don't trust them. Plus, with hand watering I can medicate as needed with no bother. As far as an office goes, I have my office set up in the basement of my house now and plan on keeping up with things from there.

Thanks,

Dan

[george simon]

HI DAN, I understand about your feeling on the automatic waters,I know that if I don't feel comfortable with something it becomes worrysome, and who needs the stress. GEORGE

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by learning

Thanks Renee, I will look into that. Sounds like the OSB isn't a very good idea for flooring. I have noticed several contractors around here use it for walls under siding. Would it work for interior walls? Thanks for the help.

Dan

If the OSB is the only thing you put up, I would say no, but if it's under some sort of siding then yes. At least twice a year, I wash my walls and floors down with bleach water. They do get messy. Don't think you would have much luck washing OSB.

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Hello Dan,

In regards to automatic water systems. I am reminded of the poultry industry, where a single person must care for thousands of birds. I personally like the ideal of giving my plastic water jug a good clean washing and disinfecting. I also like to carefully prepare the water that I provide. I mean this is critical.
The automation I might consider, is the few that remove some of the manure. Or automatic ventilation, heating / cooling, lighting and the such. Sounds like some first class research has been going on.
Not everyone agrees, and there are pros and cons, but I am still leaning towards grated floors. It can lend itself to a dry litter debate, I just am not into scraping floors twice a day. A once a day perch scrap, and a shop vac run through once a week under the grates, seemed like less work. And if I was really honest, maybe twice a month......

[learning]

Hello Everyone,

I promised to keep everyone updated so here is the latest. I finished the deck framing and built the stairs. These are my two boys, Tristan, 10 and Trevor 4. They are really excited about getting the birds so they help me stay motivated, (like I need it!). In case you hadn't figured it out the fat old guy is me. Next it is on to the flooring.

Dan

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[Lin Hansen]

Hi Dan,

I've been keeping pretty quiet on your thread here since I really haven't had any good advice to offer you. I don't actually keep any pigeons--I just feed and look after the ferals in my area.

But, I just wanted to thank you for sharing your latest pictures. You have a fine looking family and it's so nice that your boys are interested and are helping you out. I'm sure this will turn into a wonderful experience that the three of you will share and create many lasting memories.

It looks like you're making wonderful progress....best of luck with it.

Linda