Trev wrote: ↑Tue Nov 19, 2024 11:58 am
Feeding Barley is something that I've never really paid much attention to, I know our Dad used to feed it when we were kids. He raced on Beans, wheat and maize, and fed Barley, Beans and Maize over the winter.
Having said that I do know that many of our members do use quite a lot of Barley, I don't know how they all feed it but I know one who pretty much feeds only barley over the winter.
It is something that I might have to look into a bit more
I have a pal who unfortunately is with us anymore he moulted on barley and about 15 per cent oil seeds his birds looked fantastic I have never been that brave to do it . Although there on 50 per cent barley now and will be 75/80 per cent barley in January I imagine
Its something I'd never have considered mate, but as it's a relatively cheap corn too it does make sense.
I think also we have to remember how different each grain is these days to what it was and how many different varieties there are available to the grower now as well. I imagine the properties that they contain these days are very different to 50 years ago.
Andy This works well I find although I am not so strict with percentages it’s a old basic system but has some merit
I tend to give 30 per cent early in the week for a few days down to 10 percent late in the week for the cocks
But this was a good way that was explained to me some years ago
When racing starts
Protein and barley Sunday depending on the race Saturday as to the amounts
Then just feed your race mix with
40 pc barley Monday
30 pc barley Tuesday
20 pc barley Wednesday
10 pc barley Thursday
Replacing the barley percentage with a high fat high carb mix
Feed 10 gram morning all they want then at night a bit at a time to they leave the barley put down 1/2 ounce then 1/4 ounce and so on
It’s an excellent high carb feed to keep
The home flying good and as your sprinting to 100 odd miles only they want over eat on then replace the reduced percentage with seeds they like so the intake goes up a little each day .
Although my best years were when I weighed the food this is also a good system I think as your always feeding to appetite and one I think I will try again as I plan to send to a couple of longer races and feeding to appetite in April / May might be a better plan for that
That sounds quite good Neil.
I actually found the best way to stop over feeding was to have a mix in the trough all day long. Just taking it away overnight to prevent mice. This way if I picked a pigeon up at any time during the day its crop would be virtually empty as they just picked when they wanted.
The birds will only use what they need for what they are doing at the time. Everything else is just passed out.
Would they not take all the favorites though. Andy and say leave peas
Have you seen the old SVR feeding system that would be ideal for you with limited time
Yes they do leave what they don’t like. Not sure it’s the right way to feed them but they didn’t over eat. At present I am feeding a mixture of all round mix and depurative that I had left over. I mix it about 50:50. I put it in the loft in the morning and take any left away after work. Usually only a bit of barley.
Back just enjoying club racing for the time being.
Do you do the same in the race season ?
Only SVR use to leave barley in the box then feed a pot of corn in there box after there once daily flight increase the amount as the week went on
Like you I don’t think he went past 80 miles often
Ideal with limited time I would think
NeilA wrote: ↑Tue Nov 19, 2024 1:37 pm
Do you do the same in the race season ?
Only SVR use to leave barley in the box then feed a pot of corn in there box after there once daily flight increase the amount as the week went on
Like you I don’t think he went past 80 miles often
Ideal with limited time I would think
No Neil. Once the clocks change again and I am able to get up the loft in the light they are fed twice a day. The widowers are flown out twice a day and fed in their boxes.
Back just enjoying club racing for the time being.
That’s the trouble Andy I feed in the dark this time of year only see the birds weekends really
I close all my box’s and put v’s up and deep litter or grids to get around the cleaning out try to just do under the v’s mid week and full clean Saturday
NeilA wrote: ↑Tue Nov 19, 2024 4:41 pm
That’s the trouble Andy I feed in the dark this time of year only see the birds weekends really
I close all my box’s and put v’s up and deep litter or grids to get around the cleaning out try to just do under the v’s mid week and full clean Saturday
Very difficult for you with them not at your home Neil.
I can just about get away with doing mine in the mornings all year round before opening the shop. As they are in the garden behind the shop and we live above I can run up if needed but usually leave it until after we have closed.
Back just enjoying club racing for the time being.
