Post by: Birdguy on August 28, 2022, 10:45:20 PM
Best of luck to all in the upcoming seasons!!
Post by: boneaddict on August 29, 2022, 06:03:37 AM
Post by: Birdguy on August 29, 2022, 07:32:12 AM
I will be keeping some of the rare stuff and of course the mountain quail. I am just not doing gamebirds (licensing, inspections, testing, etc), lots of folks want them but don't want to pay for them. When the bird food bill was over $1000 a month it time to do things different. Used to average about $400, I have switched to the cheapest food I can feed and still have good healthy birds, I buy at the ton plus level to get the best price, I put 4 or 5 months' worth of feed and electricity and time into a bird and guys want me to sell them for $5.....don't work. It's time to redo the pens as well so it all works out as good timing. We will see what the future holds.
Sad thing is there are fewer and fewer each year, birds that were common in aviaries just 10 years ago are so hard or come by and most are crossed and poor quality. Aviculture will never be the same unfortunately.
Post by: Special T on August 29, 2022, 10:33:18 AM
I love the singing of Bob whites and wish I had the rooms for some at my home.
Post by: mcrawfordaf on August 29, 2022, 11:40:29 AM
Post by: Special T on August 29, 2022, 12:21:09 PM
The most popular trainer on the east side is purely pigeons. From what I've seen from other trainers in idaho and DIY guys are all raising pigeons as well.
Why is that? Easier raise? Better breeders? Eat less?
Or are they just easier and cheaper to buy during peak demand Because they can be caught?
Post by: mcrawfordaf on August 29, 2022, 12:32:28 PM
The most popular trainer on the east side is purely pigeons. From what I've seen from other trainers in idaho and DIY guys are all raising pigeons as well.
Why is that? Easier raise? Better breeders? Eat less?
Or are they just easier and cheaper to buy during peak demand Because they can be caught?
I think a combination of those things. Also if you do it right and you get them homed to your place you can re-use birds over and over as long as the dog is doing it's job right. Then when they get to be too old or used up you use them for "kill birds".
Post by: Birdguy on August 30, 2022, 04:04:16 PM
I think a combination of those things. Also if you do it right and you get them homed to your place you can re-use birds over and over as long as the dog is doing it's job right. Then when they get to be too old or used up you use them for "kill birds".The most popular trainer on the east side is purely pigeons. From what I've seen from other trainers in idaho and DIY guys are all raising pigeons as well.
Why is that? Easier raise? Better breeders? Eat less?
Or are they just easier and cheaper to buy during peak demand Because they can be caught?
:yeah: All of the above. No permits no licensing, no trouble finding a few to start out with are all reasons. The homing and "recycling" aspect is huge with serious guys or trainers. Pigeons raise their own young, no heat no fuss. Its two at a time but it's almost year-round and if you're not selling or shooting too many you will always have some. That said lots of folks who run trials still love to use the bird of the trial just before the test. Some dogs treat pigeons differently than actual gamebirds.
Post by: Special T on August 30, 2022, 09:59:07 PM
I think a combination of those things. Also if you do it right and you get them homed to your place you can re-use birds over and over as long as the dog is doing it's job right. Then when they get to be too old or used up you use them for "kill birds".The most popular trainer on the east side is purely pigeons. From what I've seen from other trainers in idaho and DIY guys are all raising pigeons as well.
Why is that? Easier raise? Better breeders? Eat less?
Or are they just easier and cheaper to buy during peak demand Because they can be caught?
:yeah: All of the above. No permits no licensing, no trouble finding a few to start out with are all reasons. The homing and "recycling" aspect is huge with serious guys or trainers. Pigeons raise their own young, no heat no fuss. Its two at a time but it's almost year-round and if you're not selling or shooting too many you will always have some. That said lots of folks who run trials still love to use the bird of the trial just before the test. Some dogs treat pigeons differently than actual gamebirds.
Thank you for weighing in. I love game birds like you have raised but realize its a tough gig and if pidgins are the new normal I'm going to make sure I have access to them. :tup:
Post by: 2MANY on September 02, 2022, 08:26:59 AM