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       #Post#: 12078--------------------------------------------------
       Sunlight, how important is it?
   DIR By: dontillerino
       Date: January 2, 2013, 8:04 pm
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       Vitamin D right, and the advantage of warming themselves
       especially during these winter months correct? Yeah those are
       important, but Ive found that several pairs I set up in cages
       that weren't facing the sun, the plain wouldn't breed. Pairs set
       up at the same time facing the sun had babies already. Today I
       cut windows on the ill facing breeder cages, and I saw an almost
       instant change in the way the birds acted. I even saw two of the
       four pairs cocks top their respective hen. I talked to an old
       well respected roller man and he said sunlight is vital to
       breeders. I asked him what what I'll ask all you guys, why if we
       all know sunlight is pretty darn important with breeding pairs,
       why is it I see so many guys with sweet nice lofts, only to have
       the breeders tucked away behind kit pens or even inside of sheds
       or barns? What do you guys have to say about sunlight in
       consideration to breeding pairs? Ill tell you what the old pro
       said if you all are interested.
       #Post#: 12080--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Sunlight, how important is it?
   DIR By: slvrollers
       Date: January 3, 2013, 1:26 am
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       I know sunlight is good for pigeons but the more windows you
       have a nice fancy flying cage out side your loft the more your
       going to attract Birds of prey. If you don't have Birds of Prey
       your lucky. Out of site out of mind. Also breeding in the winter
       you are more subject those babies dying and if they don't sit on
       the first egg from day one it will die if its cold were you
       live.  A lot of pigeons wont sit on the nest till both eggs are
       hatched. -30 at my house this morning no breeding to March.
       Pigeons also need cold weather for eliminating parasites
       naturally.  My birds also kit better and roll better when they
       are not subject to a lot of sunlight. Not saying that works for
       anyone else but it does for mine. I do fly everyday and they get
       an hour of good sunlight. I'm sure that their are people who
       will disagree.
       What did the old timer tell you? I have only been flying for
       five years. Good subject to talk about!!
       #Post#: 12090--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Sunlight, how important is it?
   DIR By: dontillerino
       Date: January 3, 2013, 10:39 pm
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       My kit birds are locked down during the winter months, cause
       here in the central valley of CA we have hawks this time of the
       year real bad too. I keep my kit boxes nice and dark, I think it
       helps kitting also. A temp of -30 will stop just about
       everything, but thats when central CA comes in handy. The old
       pro told me, "most people build coops for themselves not the
       birds". of course though we all ride the line between
       convenience and perfection. I just wanted to know how essential
       you guys thought sunlight might be, any one out there who breeds
       in a relatively subdued sun area with good to great results? Oh
       and thanks slv. I'm looking for knowledge, this being my second
       year back after having birds when I was high school. Just got
       'The Pigeon' by Levi in the mail, it has tons of info in it for
       general pigeon keeping and history.
       #Post#: 12096--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Sunlight, how important is it?
   DIR By: wishiwon2
       Date: January 4, 2013, 2:20 am
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       direct sunlight is essential for efficient breeding success.
       Synthesis of vitamins A & D require sunlight for meatbolism. It
       aids in calcium absorbtion. It also stimulates the pituitary
       gland which in part regulates sex drive. They dont need constand
       solar exposure, 20-30 minutes a day is adequate. An aviary box
       on the exterior of a loft gives them a safe, secure place to sun
       them selves and draw minimal attention from predators.
       #Post#: 12097--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Sunlight, how important is it?
   DIR By: dontillerino
       Date: January 4, 2013, 11:49 pm
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       Nice precise info wishiwon2, I'll keep that with me.
       #Post#: 12101--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Sunlight, how important is it?
   DIR By: KevinM
       Date: January 5, 2013, 11:17 am
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       With basic reproductive physiology, its usually the intensity of
       the light and duration of the light that will stimulate the sex
       hormones and breeding behavior in most animals.
       I would suspect that just the increase in intensity of sunlight
       with the birds facing away from the sun was enough to stimulate
       the baseline of sex hormones and start the cycle.
       #Post#: 12106--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Sunlight, how important is it?
   DIR By: dontillerino
       Date: January 6, 2013, 3:17 am
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       KevinM, ah yes all animals, the more intense the sun and the
       longer the duration....clothes are coming off and even people,
       the dumbest animals out there, are getting stimulated. Makes
       sense!
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