[SmithFamilyLoft]

Loft Management programs, anyone using a computer programs? I have been thinking about getting one any suggestions on any of them and how well they work. I dont like online data type.

I own and use more then one. But, even with all the new technology, there is still something to be said for printing out and maintaining a hard copy. Ideally, a series of folders, in which you can turn pages, and have photos with hard copy of pedigree, etc. You don't have to become overwhelmed by the record keeping, simply set aside "x" numbers of hours a week, and build your data bank. Start with your key breeders and their parents.

Of the two programs I use, the most prevalent is : 2007 Hawkeye Loft Management System - Professional Version, available @ http://comproware.com/ They also have a scaled down free version.

The other I would not recommend for the novice. It was designed with birds such as parakeets in mind. Which can calculate my inbreeding coefficients out to more generations then your typical racing pigeon fancier will ever need or do. I like it because I can track my Ludo colony back to Ludo's original foundation birds of the 1970's. It allows me to measure the amount of inbreeding in a closed breeding colony. For those who just may be curious the link is located here. I have been logging data into this program since about 2003.

http://www.tenset.co.uk/ba/bird/index.html

Their advertising reads in part :

Why is Breeders Assistant the premier pedigree software?

It has the best and most configurable pedigrees, including: photos, watermarks (with inbuilt fading), calligraphic text, decorative artwork for borders and corner graphics, sideways-on text, your choice of fields - completely configurable, customize all colors, boxes & fonts etc., HTML pedigrees, image pedigrees (JPEG, PNG, BMP), trial mating pedigrees, reverse pedigrees, circular pedigrees, web pedigrees, emailable pedigrees and web pedigree databases (pedigree generator).


It has a vast range of reports available including ancestor and descendant analyses, text pedigrees (to 16G), reverse pedigrees, breeding lists and more.
BA also prints your contracts/agreements, pedigree front pages & more. Use its powerful database to store all your bird details, contacts, show records, breedings, vet records, accounts and even appointments/tasks.


Population genetics: we have very fast calculation of Wright's inbreeding coefficient, and other analyses e.g. allele distribution.


It has many powerful genetics tools not generally available in other breeder pedigree programs e.g. prediction of genotypes (color genetics, carried traits + diseases via simulation of Mendelian genetics), calculation of inheritance probability of specific genes, modelling of polygenic traits, and various statistical analyses. We include configurations of color genetics for Cockatiel and Zebra Finches. These can be extended by adding your own configurations.





My apologies for the head crooking side view, this gives you an example of the kind of pedigrees which can be produced. Some details of this particular pedigree are obscured to prevent forgeries.