Lost a homer

[seismic wonder2]

I lost a homer yesterday.

I took my young'ins out of the loft for a short toss (across the yard). They did three circles over the loft, and two went right into the trap, the third took off to the north like a jet. I looked around thinking maybe there was a hawk or something I missed, but nothing.

About an hour later he did a low flyby just below the speed of sound and then I didn't see him again.

I waited until well after dark and had to close up the loft for the night.
I was out bright and early this morning whistleing, calling and shaking the feed bucket. No sign of him.

I left for work I left the loft open in case he comes back during the day.

[spirit wings]

I would of not left the loft open, preditors can get in to your birds, unless there is someone home to keep an eye on things, I think the bird will be back, when he is ready and hungry,sounds like he is having some fun..... they don't call them homers for nothing so after 3 or 4 days, then I would start to worry more.

[seismic wonder2]

My wife is there.
She won't admit it....but she keeps an eye on them too.

He'll probably be at home tomorrow wondering why I locked him out and gave away his food dish... LOL

[seismic wonder2]

No sign of him today. :-(
Hopefully tomorrow.

[Southwing]

How old were the young bird when you got it? I had a pair of breeders that had young and everytime I let the young out they did the same thing no matter how much time they spent in the settling cage.

[seismic wonder2]

He came back!
Late yesterday I saw him circling the neighbors house so I grabbed the feed bucked and started calling, rattleing, whistling and he finally came home. But then he putzed around on the landing board for a few minutes before going in.

You'd think that after two days out in the wilds without food he'd just fly right through the trap and never hit the ground!

I don't think I'll breed him for racing if that's the way his babies are going to act. What do you expect from a free bird, I guess... LOL!

[spirit wings]

Originally Posted by seismic wonder2

He came back!
Late yesterday I saw him circling the neighbors house so I grabbed the feed bucked and started calling, rattleing, whistling and he finally came home. But then he putzed around on the landing board for a few minutes before going in.

You'd think that after two days out in the wilds without food he'd just fly right through the trap and never hit the ground!

I don't think I'll breed him for racing if that's the way his babies are going to act. What do you expect from a free bird, I guess... LOL!

I had a feeling he would come in when HE was ready, not when you wanted him to...lol..

[LokotaLoft]

Originally Posted by seismic wonder2

He came back!
Late yesterday I saw him circling the neighbors house so I grabbed the feed bucked and started calling, rattleing, whistling and he finally came home. But then he putzed around on the landing board for a few minutes before going in.

You'd think that after two days out in the wilds without food he'd just fly right through the trap and never hit the ground!

I don't think I'll breed him for racing if that's the way his babies are going to act. What do you expect from a free bird, I guess... LOL!

this can happen with any young birds being out for the first time... its way to early to count it out for breeding purposes .

[TerriB]

Originally Posted by seismic wonder2

...I don't think I'll breed him for racing if that's the way his babies are going to act. What do you expect from a free bird, I guess... LOL!

So glad your young bird made it safely home. Seems like he was in the mood for some routing, even if his wingmen weren't. That independent mind-set might serve him well to separate from the pack during a race. Let us know how this bird turns out as a racer.