Jeff45
21 posts
Sep 02, 2004
9:15 AM
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I'm getting my first two pairs of rollers this weekend. Now that it's September in South Dakota, do you think that I should seperate the cocks and hens for the winter?
Also, how hearty are these birds to the cold weather? I just constructed a wind break fence for the area that I will be keeping them. They will be housed in a loft that has half plywood walls and half chicken wire walls. Should I completely enclose the loft in plywood and build a little wire cag that they can come out into when the want? Do I need to put heat lamps in the lofts?
Thanks,
Jeff
Last Edited by Jeff45 on Sep 02, 2004 9:15 AM
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Siddiqir
93 posts
Sep 02, 2004
9:50 AM
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Jeff, As long as they do not get hit directly by cold winds they will do just fine. keep ventilation things open all winter...just make sure cold air would blow on them directly.
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highroller
31 posts
Sep 02, 2004
1:54 PM
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Enclosing the loft is one option. Or you could put up clear plastic over the wire to cut down on the wind. Just be sure that there is good ventilation whichever route you take. Heat lamps are not necessary. With no nest boxes or materials the pairs may still try to mate and lay eggs on the floor. Either separate them or toss eggs if they lay. I believe it's best to give them a break from mating for the winter.
Dan
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Thor
21 posts
Sep 06, 2004
6:08 PM
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Hi Jeff,
I live a state right across from you. I have seen guys here breed all year long, altho for this to be possible, your breeding loft must be equipped with some sort of heating program. Altho it is near impossible to fly during the Winter (hawks, falcons, -30 degree temps, etc.), I guess one can do it in the right area.
Most guys here have already seperated their Breeders for the Winter. It takes a good month for them to put on some wieght to handle the harsh Winters we have here. Seperating the sexes isn't a must for them to survive but it will pay off during the next breeding season (all your birds is able to be paired up the same time, hence lay in unison).
I keep my foster birds paired up all Year long and they are healthy as can be.
It's your choice...
Thor
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spintight
28 posts
Sep 06, 2004
8:02 PM
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Well it can be very cold up there and there should be very little open wire. You need some ventilation but not much. I would suggest stapling clear plastic up so they get good sun also even though it's cold
I saw a horrible deal one time in a cold place. It was in the mid 60's and clear and that night it froze. But at around 3 pm a thunder cloud came over and it started to rain super hard for about 1-2 hours then it passed and cleared off again.
Well the rain was blowing in on the birds and they were like taking a bath in it.
That night it froze and so did the birds.
You will need water heaters but they probably don't need a heat lamp in the loft.
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