CHALO
10 posts
Jan 12, 2005
10:39 PM
|
I just getting back into rollers.I just made new Boxes that can hold a pair until they get Paired or aquainted(LOL)!They problem is How long should they be in the boxes so they know thats their box & not try to take over other birds boxes.I got 4 pairs of rollers.Also how should i let them out.I was thinking one pair at a time a day & back to the box & next pair and so on? What do you pros. think? How long before i take the young from the nest box also?
Gonzalo.
|
RodB
21 posts
Jan 13, 2005
1:09 AM
|
My 12 nesting boxes are quite large being 3ft by 16inch x 16 inch
I lock them in untill they lay there eggs then I take the mesh door of the front of the box so they can access the cage , I havent had any problems with this and they seem to settle with a lot less fighting etc it seems that once they have eggs they hold that box much more vigorous and the intruder is run of easy seeming to accept the box is taken .
I also have no perches in the breed cage , they land on the ground or in the entrance to there nest box , makes it very easy to catch a bird and hard for an intruding bird .
Im just starting myself but they seem a lot more contented since I set it up like this and I have gotten 100% live young where before there was lots of fighting , eggs on the floor , scalped youngsters etc , locking them in untill they have eggs works good for me , I have small waterers and feeders in each box that last about 4 days before I got to top them up , plus no mixups with breeding with this method .
Rod
|
JUrbon
45 posts
Jan 13, 2005
6:08 PM
|
Gonzalo, I run 12 pair with 6 on each side of my stock loft with a divider in the center and as long as I have all the rest of the boxes closed off when I liberate a pair then there is no haggling.I dont keep them locked for long either befor liberation like some guys do but you might have to depending on the temperment of the birds. I only have to keep the others closed in for a hour or 2 and so far they have been fine. I have been using this setup for 4 years now and it has worked really well for me. Some birds are more dominant than others so you might have to just experiment.Remember that this will only work if you are able to split your pairs up for at least a couple weeks before attempting to pair them back up. Ultimately I prefer to breed in individuals but due to the time that is required and the time I have to work with after work I just am not able to do it without getting the wife in an uproar. Good luck and welcome to the hobby. Joe Urbon
|
CHALO
11 posts
Jan 16, 2005
8:59 PM
|
I guess i will have to try these methods.I will experiment & see which one works for me.I already bought small feeder & water trays.I just hate when there is a male bird taking over all the boxes.When do you think is the age to ween out the squeekers?
Gonzalo.
|
Bluesman
62 posts
Jan 17, 2005
4:24 AM
|
Chalo.When I have a cock that gets in this mood I use a 4 foot stick(lightweight made from Elderberry)and tap him on the head.A couple of times being tapped and he will become very gentle.Not hard but just a firm tap.If it don,t work after a couple of times tap him a little harder the next time.I have had a few that just was to bullheaded to learn.Unless they are really great the next tap I give it stops it.David
|
CHALO
12 posts
Jan 21, 2005
10:15 PM
|
Ive seen this done before.I heard it works.I will try these methods & see if they work for me.I have several cocks in one cage & they even fight for the floor area & food.I hope when they are paired they break that habit.
Gonzalo.
|
