Hi!
I have 6 young birds that are about 4-5 months old, I got them when they were only around a month old(never flown)I am goin to trap train them and start flying them, I have trained lots of 2-3 month old birds,(but not any this old before)and took them on training tosses and such.. This year will be my first year racing. I am thinkin of training these birds to race as old birds.(just me and a friend flying) I no it's possible and I must go slow.. but is there anything I can do it get them flying like they have been flying all there lives?

By Davidtichbourne (64.230.30.65 - 64.230.30.65) on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 12:11 am: Edit

Pigeonrh, are your birds loft flying at all? If they are you can take them on some short tosses, start with 1/2 mile or a km or two and then two more tosses to work them up to 5 miles. You need to treat these birds like young birds, my opinion only...I would be suspicious as to whether or not these little fellas had ranged or not...

After 5 miles I would jump to 10, then 20, and do a bunch of tosses at 25miles from home.. You might toss them near the first race point if you have the time too... when is your first race? I would work a schedule back from that point, not much use in training too early, but in this case some short tosses will help.

My opinion only, Dave.

By Billytaylor (64.221.13.14 - 64.221.13.14) on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 02:07 pm: Edit

Pigrh, I think you can fly the late breds as OBs, but my advise is not over 300 miles. As Tic says let them learn to follow the OBs by loft flying and training. They have missed out as YBs so you will lose some. Train with the OBs and just be happy if they come home. Next year they will be up to speed and can be sent any distance as 2 yr olds. My thoughts. Lets race. Bye BillyT

By Davidtichbourne (64.230.30.65 - 64.230.30.65) on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 11:05 pm: Edit

Pigeonrh, about half the experienced flyers I talk to are also telling me not to fly my yearlings past 300 miles too, that is good to keep in mind, I might have a couple of yearlings that will do more this year, but only a couple. I will try maybe half my good flyers a little beyond 300 if all goes well and hold the rest in reserve for next year OB...

I don't know what the difference is between darkened and natural light yearlings, but I am going to fly natural light again this year.

By Davidtichbourne (64.230.30.163 - 64.230.30.163) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 09:50 am: Edit

First OB race is May 10.

I have 15 yearlings flown a lot last year in YB races and 5 not so much, and about 6 late breds that have survived the hawks so far... what sort of training would you fellas do with such a bunch? would you traing the more experienced yearlings separate from the un-flown?

later,
Dave.

By Billytaylor (64.221.9.248 - 64.221.9.248) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 05:52 pm: Edit

Spook make it easy on yourself. Train all together just starting short after a few weeks of loft flying. The youngsters will follow. By the time you have them out to 50 miles and think maybe to double or single up separate the non-flown last years and release them all together short for a few times. If they havent gotten it down by then you got culls anyway. Lets race. Bye BillyT

By Roly (62.253.32.5 - 62.253.32.5) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 06:44 pm: Edit

Dave I had a 2 y/bs out of the three I sent born in Late June. End of September they flew the 450 miles FACT! First precedentI grant you . first time y/b's allowed, for y / bs to fly 450. Seems I also hold the record for last centuary in our District etc. How far a radious I know not. but seems I was first for many.
Train them together.
Last season a LATE bred flew 450 miles North, 450 South channel, and 425 North. It won high in National and Was 2nd Club 400 and 2nd club, beat by loft mates twice and won the other 450 miles. This has be the case when ever asked and allowed. Why wait yonks colly cuddling and lose them. If fit and Healthy and in condition they can go.. Fanciers are their worst emenies, and if they hit 'Super form they will take all the beating, especially with sun on their back.
Boy scouts say 'Be Prepared...' I add to lose your culls early, saves food, time effert and money, and BREEDING crap!

By Davidtichbourne (64.230.30.163 - 64.230.30.163) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 06:58 pm: Edit

Thanks Gents...will think on this, I like to get as many different views as I can...(then I just do what Oscar says).. this is going to be a tough year for me as I will need to cull for sure, which I hate doing as I like my birds.

My 3 hawks aren't eating enough and scaring enough away, my scalper didn't scalp enough young... and birds way too healthy...lol.

By Roly (62.253.32.5 - 62.253.32.5) on Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 07:17 pm: Edit

Cull!!! Why? if your birds are sent in condition and Mr Basket is given, allowed room to to his job, you will only have the ones worthwhile left. Then your loft is the Yard stick.. then the Club till you progress up the ladder.
But I aint much for culling at all like wise. and definately not under their 3 season. 2 year olds. Then if and when you have to many! is the time ...