04/15/2007

The past few weeks have been a bit frustrating in regards to the weather here in Minnesota, but I finally have a good team of young birds flying. I have had my share of hawk attacks, and snowy, windy days.

I keep the birds in if it’s too windy, at least until they get out and about more. Soon they will be going out loft flying no matter what the weather. I do not toss in poor weather, but I have been known to loft fly in the rain many times. The birds seem to like flying in the rain around the loft.

All of the birds on the inventory list have been out and are settled, with the exception of the final three birds that are in “Loft B”. “Loft B” is just the other side of where the majority of the birds are. You can access my inventory list via my web site.

The last four birds (of the last seven) that I received and are in Loft A, are just getting the hang of getting back in the loft. They should be flying soon. They can get back in from a 30’ flight now.

Many of my earlier birds have shed several flights already. Some have already molted their 5^th flight and are beginning to drag their tails, spin and act like they should. Many have a good body molt started. They should look like old birds in a few more weeks. Many of the other birds in the race are still shedding the yellow fuzz on their heads, or some not even hatched.

In another week or two, the older birds will get the side of the loft with the box perches, and they can start to claim some territory. Ultimately, the box perch side will be for the cock birds. The hens will only get ‘V’ perches.

The birds will continue on 20 hours of lights until the end of the race season. Most will have a full-wing by the Convention race, and the few who do not will be helped. While I would like to win even the early races with the convention birds, I am hoping that they peak for the convention race. My own team can work on winning the club and combine races.

I had a problem with a few birds looking a bit frumpy, but I treated with Amoxicillin and aureomycin. I treated my old birds right along with them as a pre-race program and all birds are now doing well.

My old birds have been loft flying even in the bad weather. I have just started to toss them and will try to get out to at least 30 miles by the weekend. I try not to go too far and get them in good shape before any real long tosses. Most are now down on eggs.