steve49
431 posts
Feb 27, 2010
3:40 PM
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in my other post about kit hens laying, i should have asked also if the cocks should also be fed a limited diet. since they're not going to be flown again until april, is it ok to feed them what they want during their lockdown? keep in mind, winter temps are often below freezing, and i want to insure they're getting all the help they need to make it thru.
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Steve in Blue Point, NY
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PR_rollers
GOLD MEMBER
3559 posts
Feb 27, 2010
4:12 PM
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Steve I save this and maybe it can help you words from Ken Easley..
"Always give extra feed to kit birds during the cold months of winter. Pigeons shake when it is cold. This shaking creates friction, which creates heat. The birds may be sitting on their perches but they are still expending energy. Kit birds have less fat and may be unable to maintain enough heat and will become weak and internally damaged. One way to make sure the birds are getting enough feed is by standing at the door with a handful of feed. If a bird comes to your hand to eat, he needs it. Rollers that are getting enough feed will not come to your hand. This will separate the fakers from the needy. Some will become tame with this treatment and will get more than they need. This is when handling the bird is necessary. If the bird is getting enough feed then you will be able to feel some meat on the keel. It is advisable to feel all the kit birds that seem really hungry to make sure they are not being accidentally abused.
Some birds cannot eat as fast as others and over a period of time may loose substantial amounts of weight. This is another good reason for periodical inspections of the keel."
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Ralph.
Pigeons are not our whole life, but they damn sure make our lives whole!" ~
Last Edited by on Feb 27, 2010 4:12 PM
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Pogohawk
4 posts
Feb 27, 2010
4:16 PM
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I like mine to have just a small amount of mullet left in the morning as thats their least favorite seed. I prefer for mine to eat as much variety of seed as possible. Otherwise mine tend to eat only what they want. They seem to act more hungry this way but I at least know they are getting the nutrition they need, and they never seem starving. Just my thoughts.
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Pogohawk
5 posts
Feb 27, 2010
4:21 PM
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For breeders though there should never be a lack of feed. Especially in the colder months. I am also fortunate enough to be able to feed my birds regularly throughout the day. I'm sure thats not the case for most people. But I can insure they are not hungry but also eating a variety of feed.
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PR_rollers
GOLD MEMBER
3560 posts
Feb 27, 2010
4:40 PM
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When I live in NYC I made sure they had plenty of corn in the winter month..
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Ralph.
Pigeons are not our whole life, but they damn sure make our lives whole!" ~
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donnie james
939 posts
Feb 27, 2010
8:16 PM
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hay steve
myself i feed them up and i'm like ralph i use alot of corn in the winter months here in ferron utah it gets very cold...............
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Donny James
"Fly The Best And Cull The Rest"
"Saying One Thing;Doing Its Another"
"Keep Your Head Planted In The Sky And Wings Spanned Wide"
1996 Piedmont Roller Club Lifetime Achievement Recipient
Portsmouth Roller Club Participation Award System Recipient 1994 '96 '97 And 2000
2001 Limestone,Ohio Sportsman's Club Lifetime Member Recipient
2002Portsmouth Roller Club Certified Judge
2004Portsmouth Roller Club Lifetime Member Recipient
"Miss Portsmouth"NBRC/90/J311 Rusty Dun Check Self Hen First Bird To Get Certified In Portsmouth Roller Club History With A Score Of 53 Judge By Joe Roe The 1993 World Cup Winner And John Bender The 1994 World Cup Winner
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steve49
432 posts
Feb 27, 2010
8:24 PM
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hey guys. yep, i'm feeding a mix with corn for the winter, but wanted to know if i have to watch how much i feed like the hens
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Steve in Blue Point, NY
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Pogohawk
12 posts
Feb 27, 2010
9:44 PM
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I'm also feeding a heavier mixture of corn. My kit birds seem to like popcorn better than the larger corn. I know popcorn is supposed to be good for breeders but how about kit birds (mine are also cooped up till the hawks ease up).
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Ty Coleman
861 posts
Feb 28, 2010
5:05 AM
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I dont use corn but I use alot of Austrian winter peas and I coat my mix heavy in codliver oil. I also use manapro pellets which is a racing conditioner pellet that can be bought at Tractor Supply.
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Ty
Vapor Trail Lofts
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steve49
434 posts
Feb 28, 2010
6:38 AM
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hey Ty, how long have you been using the CL oil? i ask because i've heard since its animal fat, its not as digestible for pigeons.
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Steve in Blue Point, NY
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old guy
48 posts
Feb 28, 2010
7:21 AM
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Steve, I have had my cock kit locked down for two months and feed wheat, milo and occasionally a few peas free choice in gallon milk jug feeders. Yesterday I took away all feed and will feed very lightly for a couple more days before I return them to the air . They will get back in flying shape in a week or two and I know they have had enough feed to keep them healthy during the coldest part of winter. Wayne
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Ty Coleman
862 posts
Feb 28, 2010
5:00 PM
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Steve, I have used it for about 6 months now and it works great. Cliff Ball told me about it and my birds look better than ever. I use several other vitamins also but the codliver oil is the most used at my loft.
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Ty
Vapor Trail Lofts
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fhtfire
2478 posts
Feb 28, 2010
7:13 PM
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I always feed my birds extra during the winter. I fly my birds during the winter and I still feed them up. I dont care what the roll looks like during the winter or how long they fly...because keeping them warm and healthy is the main thing. It takes me all day to fly three teams during the Winter...because they fly a long time. You have plenty of time to get the birds back into shape from a nice lockdown or up feeding for the Winter months.
During the real cold spells...All my birds get the Winners Cup 16% mix with popcorn..the hard seeds keep them warm....
During the winter I could care less about eggs in the kit box..cocks getting all fat and happy....because when it is time for training and the rubber meets the road...they get back into shape real quick and the eggs disappear.
rock and ROLL
Paul
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