Joe Posted October 28, 2010 Report Share Posted October 28, 2010 did you know that pigeons in the wild rearly live more than 3 years but in the loft live up to 20 years? Better health and food Yeah it's quite amazing. And what's better about them, is that they don't need a huge aviary, a loft suits them fine, because they can be let out to fly around the neighbourhood at their own free will and will come back for food later on. I have a beautiful Jones Janssen hen (called Dusky), and she is a fantastic pet! She used to find her way inside the house through open windows, and would scratch on the door if she wanted to come in! She has a mate now, so she stays with him in the loft and doesn't come inside the house anymore (plus mum wouldn't allow it to continue any longer, because she got sick of the poos!). She is very tame, and likes sitting on my shoulder when I'm in the loft. The reson she probably wanted to come inside is because there was a ferret attack at the time (this was about 2 years ago), and she was the only pigeon left. I've got over 40 now. Just goes to show that not all pigeons are dumb, pesky birds like most people say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted October 28, 2010 Report Share Posted October 28, 2010 Jones? I use to import Jansens but not sure where the Jones part came from I raced for many years myself My wife has about 100 www.weddingwings.co.nz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted October 29, 2010 Report Share Posted October 29, 2010 Jones are an old New Zealand breed. I have found them quite hard to source, because most people breed stuff like Van Reets, Busschaerts and those sorts of fancy imports. The Jones are a type of Janssen bred in NZ for a long time, so they are able to cope exceptionally well with rough weather and I've found them much better than the other breeds. My dad and I recently got some McMillans, another old NZ breed. I've never kept these before, so it will be interesting to see how well they race. I have also found Jones x Staf Van Reet birds to be quite good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted October 29, 2010 Report Share Posted October 29, 2010 I use to race Gibby McMillans birds out of area for him here in Auckland Still never heard of Jones though and Ive had racing pigeons for 35 years, dont have them now mind you I use to import and arrange auctions for Nick Brent from Sydney and through him had direct Louella birds here I was one of the first to import in he early 90's Which club do you race in? Do you know Kerry Fraser? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted October 29, 2010 Report Share Posted October 29, 2010 there was a Jones in CHCH racing when i was a youngster an aviary bred bird should be kept in an aviary a hand reared bird can be kept in a cage so long as it is let out on a daily or regular basis i prefer a clipped wing in this situation to prevent a bird getting a fright and escaping through an open window or door when they get outside and up in the air they don't recognise any landmarks and can lose track of where they are some species will survive outside, others don't a well trained bird once it has been taught to come when called can be left to grow their wing back nothing like watching an alexandrine or king as it performs those acrobatics in the sky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted October 29, 2010 Report Share Posted October 29, 2010 No I don't know Kerry Fraser. In fact, I have no idea who those other people are that you metioned either! :lol: I race with the Blenheim Pigeon Racing Club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcculloch Posted October 29, 2010 Report Share Posted October 29, 2010 Do you free fly some birds Living art? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted October 30, 2010 Report Share Posted October 30, 2010 No I don't know Kerry Fraser. In fact, I have no idea who those other people are that you metioned either! :lol: I race with the Blenheim Pigeon Racing Club. Kerry has been the top flier in NZ for the last 30 years Gibby was the person who started the McMillian strian... Gibby McMillian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted October 30, 2010 Report Share Posted October 30, 2010 Do you free fly some birds Living art? used to have some fancies modena, jacobin, satinettes, american homer, frillbacks now rehomed locally as a youngster n CHCH used to breed and race to answer the question, have some pets who have full wings and the doors are always open they choose to be where they want to be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcculloch Posted October 30, 2010 Report Share Posted October 30, 2010 Thanks I was meaning parrots in particular have been interested in this for a while. I really like Chris Biros ideas on the subject ( http://www.wingsatliberty.com ). I helped/watched them train Macaws at auckland zoo for free flight as a student a long time ago, was also there when one of the macaws in mention decided to do a massive fly around on its first flight outside, freaking everyone out lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted October 30, 2010 Report Share Posted October 30, 2010 read a book by the duke of bedford when i was younger he had a few birds free flight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.