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returnee2rollers
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BOP situation and flying 09's

Is anyone flying[training] 2009 birds yet and are the BOP's any worse now than normal?
LAST week seemed to be the worst week for attacks and attemps to my FOR's since last year.I been forced once again to lock down all young birds and give the older flyers a break from flying.The older birds [08's] don't seem to be as bothered with hawks being everywhere and they are more alert yet they just seem to climb higher over them and fly much longer than normal.Their performance doesn't seem to be affected either but when they come down to the kit box is when i worry.I managed to scare away 2 very bold attackers, 1 of which seemed to almost succeed in getting a bird as it landed.
Im curious to know when most of you guys start training your youngsters and what location you fly from.

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yankee mike

2/25/2009, 8:01 pm

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Gaditano

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Re: BOP situation and flying 09's

I start training as soon as the Spring migration is over.. mostly in April.. but every year it gets later and later. Spring migration is one of the worst times of the year!

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Alan Bliven - Circus Lofts

Member of the National Pigeon Association, Flying Oriental Roller Society, Horseman Pouter Club of North America, Voorburg Shield Cropper Club and the Tucson Pigeon Club

2/25/2009, 9:04 pm

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returnee2rollers
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Re: BOP situation and flying 09's

Alan,
do they usually nest around your area? seems like you don't really get any cold weather and would make a good resort area for BOP's? im curious to where they would come from and go to during the migration especially around your area.
Sippi usually keeps me imformed of our area but lately its quite obvious in Ga., where in a full migration as far as i can tell.
THANKS,

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yankee mike

2/25/2009, 9:34 pm

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Socorro
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Re: BOP situation and flying 09's

Now sure is not a good time to try anything with flying birds.I have seen the songbirds begin to return here early so thought I'd chance letting my young ORs out today.They need to get some wing time,eh.One bird twizzled down into the apple tree and when I went near it went up 50 ft and twizzled down into another tree next door.Went over to look for it,couldn't find it but when I walked back into my yard mr coop had it behind the kitbox,scared him off and grabbed the bird hurt a little but not bad more just shocked.Was trying to get them down off the roof before he makes another attack and walked to the front to put a bucket in the feed shed in that time he had snagged a dun off the roof and I wasn't so lucky second time looking for the culprit.Better just be patient and concentrate on breeding for now.Hope it gets better soon,just itchin to see some birds in the air.

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Kelly Waugh
Rum:30 Lofts
Gabriola Island,B.C.,
Canada.
Ed FORS Newsletter
islanddoves@telus.net

2/25/2009, 9:42 pm

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Gaditano

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Re: BOP situation and flying 09's

I don't know where they come from and where they go. All I know is at the end of March they are thick as flies from the migration. It lasts 2-3 weeks

2/25/2009, 11:40 pm

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jacvet
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Re: BOP situation and flying 09's

I read a lot of posts here and other sites i guess my question is u here that the hommers are very fast so why do u hear that the BOF are taking them and having a hard time catching the FORS. My birds arn't the best i haven't lost one yet seen attacks but they managed to get away. Sorry to hear kelly you lost one. I have been luckey i guess.

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jack weatherbee

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2/26/2009, 10:14 am

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Gaditano

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Re: BOP situation and flying 09's

Straight a head speed does not help much because Coopers hawks are ambush predators. A Hawk is not going to chase the bird for miles. The Homer is built for straight away speed, but what's needed to have a better chance against a Hawk is agility, maneuverability and awareness. The FOR has a longer tail with more feathers which makes for a better flying rudder to maneuver much better than a Homer. In comparison, a Homer is a heavily bird which makes it easier to catch. An analogy would be a Greyhound vs a Border Collie. One's a straight racer, the other is an agility dog.

2/26/2009, 10:29 am

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jacvet
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Re: BOP situation and flying 09's

Thanks for the info.

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jack weatherbee

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2/26/2009, 10:33 am

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Gaditano

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Re: BOP situation and flying 09's

Training 09's this time of year is extremely risky. I don't care how good the stock is, young birds are not of proper age or proper condition to stand a chance against the BOP (if you have a problem). The biggest danger is trying to settle them during the daily attacks by the BOP. I have never seen one taken this way but I have lost a countless number of them by being scattered during an attack and not being able to find their way home. I can't overemphasize the fact that these birds need to be settled and trained during the off-season for BOP. Then let them fly all summer to get into shape, mature a little, know the ins and outs of your area (trees, bushes, wires, poles, buildings etc) then you will give them a fighting chance when they are attacked.

2/26/2009, 10:38 am

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rollerdoneks
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Re: BOP situation and flying 09's

Three days ago, I started flagging my 2009 yb kit. (9 birds) I have two that are doing backward single flips and most are tail riding. One is also doing the helicopter spin, (3-4 revolutions) The oldest is 63 days old. After the third time up it takes at least three minutes to trap them. The trapping time will improve. Yes, they are getting as much as they want to eat. I lost two in the flagging process. I am flying at 9 am and no hawks. I do see BOP flying around later in the day or the BOP will fly right over the lofts. Must of fed already!
I break the pairs up the first of June, too hard to train in the heat or if they do go up they land right away.

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Dennis L. Radi
Idar Lofts
rollerdoneks@skybeam.com

2/26/2009, 1:39 pm

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