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DIR Return to: Weaning Young Birds
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#Post#: 11144--------------------------------------------------
weaning in the kit box
DIR By: slvrollers
Date: June 8, 2012, 10:24 am
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I'm weaning another round in the kit box. In the past i would
leave feed in front of them all the time for a few weeks and
then cut back to twice a day. Two tablespoons per bird per day.
My questions is am i giving them enough feed when i cut them
back to twice a day.? Is two tablespoons a day enough for Birds
that are around 7 or 8 weeks old?
#Post#: 11145--------------------------------------------------
Re: weaning in the kit box
DIR By: oldfart
Date: June 8, 2012, 3:53 pm
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This will not be the popular answer but I give my very young all
they want until they are kitting and flying the time I want.
Then and only then do I cut back on their feed. Even then most
will think I over feed at two tablespoons per bird. I never
restrict feed to less then two tablespoons until they are flying
in their second season.
Take care
Thom
#Post#: 11146--------------------------------------------------
Re: weaning in the kit box
DIR By: nephilim
Date: June 8, 2012, 4:15 pm
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Hi all. I feed mine once they've been out. I don't force them to
take to the wing, so they are short fed, then once they've flown
around the loft/coop I'll let them eat as much as they need. I
fly the young every evening around 6.30, or should I put I let
them out at 6.30 then call them in at 7 unless they've taken off
then I'll leave them till they want to return. I put their food
down while they are out and leave it down till 9pm when I shut
and lock them up for the night. I have open doors all day and
wire fronted inner doors. I'll chuck a good hand full down
around noon. I don't measure the food out or anything, but will
cut right back a few days before they are let out for the first
time, to the point of starving them. Food is the only way to
control them so I feel cutting right back keeps them close and
ready to learn about trapping in when I want them to go in.
#Post#: 11147--------------------------------------------------
Re: weaning in the kit box
DIR By: wishiwon2
Date: June 9, 2012, 11:31 pm
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--- Quote from: slvrollers link ---
>
> I'm weaning another round in the kit box. In the past i would
leave feed in front of them all the time for a few weeks and
then cut back to twice a day. Two tablespoons per bird per day.
My questions is am i giving them enough feed when i cut them
back to twice a day.? Is two tablespoons a day enough for Birds
that are around 7 or 8 weeks old?
>
--- End Quote ---
You shouldnt have any problem cutting them back to twice a day
or once a day for that matter. Once my weaners can eat
themselves full and drink well, I start to regulate their feed
and they begin trap training regimen. They only have food when I
give it too them. I want them full but not quite 100% satiated.
I want them to be looking for that last grain or 2 and to be
thinking about getting themselves in the kitbox ASAP.
--- Quote from: oldfart link ---
>
> This will not be the popular answer but I give my very young
all they want until they are kitting and flying the time I want.
Then and only then do I cut back on their feed. Even then most
will think I over feed at two tablespoons per bird. I never
restrict feed to less then two tablespoons until they are flying
in their second season.
> Take care
> Thom
>
--- End Quote ---
Thom, I'm curious. How do you get them to trap in a timely
fashion when feeding them all they want to eat? I agree with the
principle in that I dont push young birds with feed. I use feed
(type and quantity) to regulate flying time and height, but I
dont feed for performance until they have gone through a moult.
I dont know measure in Tbsp but I feed a tunafish can for 10
birds as my starting point. I know that I have to reduce feed a
little to keep young birds trapping well. With my old birds,
trapping is such a habit they will trap directly in even if they
just ate. I want my birds to hit the roof and within 30 sec to a
minute be looking for the trap and coming in.
#Post#: 11148--------------------------------------------------
Re: weaning in the kit box
DIR By: oldfart
Date: June 10, 2012, 5:35 am
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Jon, I feed all they will eat in the evening and then remove the
feed. I fly mornings exclusively because of my location.
Afternoons are just too windy ( 20 mph plus ) on a normal day. I
keep a couple of old hens mixed in and they help to teach them
to trap in a timely manner. I do have the occasional stubborn
young bird but overall my birds trap shortly after landing. I
guess I have just been lucky.
Take care my friend
Thom
#Post#: 11149--------------------------------------------------
Re: weaning in the kit box
DIR By: slvrollers
Date: June 10, 2012, 9:18 am
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Thanks Everyone for your input!! Good to hear what other lofts
are doing. I will stick with what i have been doing its working.
I have been getting longer fly times with my young birds feeding
them twice a day and they are trapping ok. I wont start
performance feeding till after first molt.
#Post#: 11153--------------------------------------------------
Re: weaning in the kit box
DIR By: wishiwon2
Date: June 10, 2012, 6:35 pm
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--- Quote from: oldfart link ---
>
> Jon, I feed all they will eat in the evening and then remove
the feed. I fly mornings exclusively because of my location.
Afternoons are just too windy ( 20 mph plus ) on a normal day.
> Take care my friend
> Thom
>
--- End Quote ---
Thats interesting Thom. So your birds are flying on more like a
12 hr post feeding routine? I have only tried that in emergency
cases. I like to fly at near 24 hrs feed to fly. For competition
kits I like to stretch it to around 27-30 hrs feed to fly.
Another way of doing things, thanks for sharing.
#Post#: 11155--------------------------------------------------
Re: weaning in the kit box
DIR By: oldfart
Date: June 10, 2012, 6:40 pm
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Hey Jon, I am only talking about very young birds that are just
learning to fly, trap, kit..... Not my seasoned kit birds that
are a year old or older. Seasoned birds are an entirely
different matter.
Take care my friend
Thom
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