James749
1 post
Sep 14, 2004
5:11 PM
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I have a kit box that measures 4'x4'x4' and have 20 young 2004 birds, I have gotten them to trap well and they fly hard for 30-40 mins. when released, some are starting to roll, sloppy, but they roll, My question is, how old do they have to be to start kit? when I release the birds,they are all over with sky and will not even try to get together. Any thing I can do? Thanks, James
Last Edited by James749 on Sep 14, 2004 6:18 PM
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Mother lode lofts
182 posts
Sep 14, 2004
7:16 PM
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James how long have they been up and flying ? it shouldn't take them but 3-5 days to fly as a kit.
Scott
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James749
2 posts
Sep 15, 2004
7:07 AM
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Scott, I've had the birds for about five weeks now, and been fly them for three weeks. James
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Mother lode lofts
183 posts
Sep 15, 2004
8:03 AM
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James more than likely you have some particular birds creating this problem, and they in turn drag out even more birds. you must have some sort of nuclius of birds that kit there for the most part, or at least show a desire to kit. pull out everything that at least shows a disire to kit and then fly them and see how they kit. Then one by one add the others untill you determine just who you trouble makers are. Some won't kit just because of the others not kitting, in other words they are just playing follow the leader. Once you determine who the trouble makers are cull them. keep in mind that some birds coming into the roll may have some kitting problems for a very short period of time, but even then they still show the desire to kit.
Scott
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James749
3 posts
Sep 15, 2004
9:32 AM
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Scott, Do you think it might be the kit box? my box is large, it measures 4'x4'x4' and it's alittle hard to reach the birds when I check them over,and could it be the lighting? the inside is painted white, so it's really not that dark inside, when I built the box my wife painted it, bless her heart she should have been in the Navy, if it don't move it's painted. I was thinking of building another about 3'x3'x3' and just put 15 birds in it, what your thoughts? James
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Thor
29 posts
Sep 15, 2004
11:14 AM
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Hi James,
I'm not sure what you meant by having them for 5 weeks but only flying them for 3 weeks part but usually my young birds, once all flying should start kitting within a couple of days to a week max. Even young birds that later are 'culled' for kitting problems will start off kitting as young birds.
I believe Brian already mentioned that birds coming into the roll tend to not want to kit (I believe this is due to their internal fear of ripping the first roll of their life, just like if you do something for the first time, it tends to get easier and easier after the first time)... another aspect you can look at is that some birds that are in heavy molt will out fly as well or land early. Note, I have also found that birds coming into the roll will tend to be the very last bird to land or land way after the kit had already landed.
About your kit box, I don't believe it has any effect on the problem your having. If I recall, guys have done experiments about this topic. Experiments with kit box was also done with different perch designs (inverted 'V', 'box', etc.) and it was concluded that nothing really stood out as the best option for our birds. Altho, if you had a pitch black kit box, your birds tend to be more hotter coming out... meaning they tend to bump coming out. You should be fine just as long as your kit box has some sort of ventilation.
Are all your birds the same age and are they from the same family?
Flying them,
Thor
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MCCORMICKLOFTS
234 posts
Sep 15, 2004
11:55 AM
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James, I use several boxes that are only 32x32x32 and hold 25 bird nicely. Comfort is not something they should be afforded in a kit box. They need to eat, drink and get their butts up on the perch, not frolicking with the frat boys..lol.
Brian.
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James749
4 posts
Sep 15, 2004
2:01 PM
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Thor, Yes all the birds are the some age,maybe a week apart! My kit box as a wire floor and six -4" holes covered with hardware cloth,3 holes on each side, The front just below the roof line as a 4" slot across the whole front, also a 10"x10 hole in one of the doors that covered with wire,so they are getting fresh air at all times. They are in the molt and just start to get all there flight feathers back in. Should I fly them every day for a while to see if they come out of it? Oh, PS.Yes they are all from the same family. James
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James749
5 posts
Sep 15, 2004
2:03 PM
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Brian, Thanks for your help, I think I'll put one together this weekend. James
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MCCORMICKLOFTS
235 posts
Sep 15, 2004
4:26 PM
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James, I am not saying you should run out and build a box of that dimension..lol. Just mentioning that more birds do fine in a smaller enclosure than most assume they will. I keep about 30 young birds in a couple of kit boxes that are similar to the one you described. The only reason I have them that large is for the large young bird kits. Once some start rolling they are moved to an active team which is usually kept in one of the smaller boxes.
Brian.
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James749
6 posts
Sep 15, 2004
6:00 PM
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Brian, I know what you are saying,but my box is to darn big anyway,I have a hard time grabbing the birds,my arms are to short. What kind of perches do you have in your small box? and how are they arranged? James
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Mother lode lofts
184 posts
Sep 15, 2004
9:15 PM
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James the first kitbox built is just to learn what not to do when you build the next one LOL LOL. I don't see that as being your problem though. You gotta find your trouble makers. As for darkened kit boxxes, I'm not a big fan of them at all, nor due I see any benifit with them, I see only negatives. I might add that I can darken mine at will and they are set up to do so. But the only thing that I'll due is dim the light before a big fly. well thats it till next week as I'm of to the NBRC convention in Illinois early in the morning and I hope to see some of you there.
Scott
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MCCORMICKLOFTS
237 posts
Sep 15, 2004
11:35 PM
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James the perches in my kit boxes are called "box perches" as they resemble boxes. Vertical and horizontal wood fastened together in a manner which creates individual boxes. My smaller boxes have nine box holes on each wall totally 27 perches.
Brian.
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J_Star
4 posts
Sep 16, 2004
7:34 AM
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Just be patient. They will kit properly soon. the name of this game is always patience. After you have the birds for two months and still not kitting properlly, then consider other options. What are you feeding the birds and how much? This is another consideration that you need to keep in mind.
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James749
7 posts
Sep 16, 2004
8:19 AM
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Thanks to all of you, I just found this web site Yesterday and I sure enjoy ALL the information Y'all have to share with others,I too have been to the NBRC web site,and Yes I am a member,but this site has helped me more, Thanks to all again, God Bless, James
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