UkPigeonRacing

Excellent job Dave, that looks just the job mate, well done you.
I would also agree with Andy and Neil about possibly having mesh over the dowels, although as my birds are on an open loft so wild birds are not really an issue for me but I would be concerned about vermin getting in or even worse, stoats, weasels or pole cats !! I would also want something that could be put up in bad weather, especially as you say the loft is North facing.
Good luck with it mate, I hope it brings you the success that you desire.

NeilA wrote: ↑Mon Dec 16, 2024 4:10 pm Looks good have you mesh over the dowels?

Thanks Neil and Andy, thats something I didn't think of.
I do rather like the openess of the dowels and to be honest, the birds do look in better nic but perhaps thats just their new suits.
The brick shed was always a little damp so I used to use a deep litter of wood chips but in this new loft I am enjoying scraping them out daily. It is sometimes a little damp with the dowels but I am brushing a little lime around on those days which is working very well.
I was going to use one of the small sections on left ( there are 2) for roundabout hens and I realise I will have to put some sort of blinds up if this is going to work.

You could alway buy 4mm twin poly carbonate and set it on battens so it sits a inch or so off the dowels to allow air and keep rain out
Would still need mesh though as a rat will be in there when it wants mate

Very smart setup Dave, best of luck with the new season just around the corner.
Regards Dave

Good job mate , looking very smart

That is a lovely set up Dave, you should be very pleased. It is a pleasure looking after the birds in a good loft.
I would echo the thoughts of the other blokes, the dowels look smart but you don't want wild birds and rats and predators in there.
And I would certainly get some plastic sheets of some description that can be put up when the rain is driving in from the north, or when there's a cold wind blowing in.

Thank you everyone for all the kind comments and sound advice. Its ironic that I have dug in wire mesh to about 4 inches deep and abot 12 inches wide all around the loft to stop Roland getting underneath..

Diamond Dave wrote: ↑Mon Dec 16, 2024 9:05 pm Thank you everyone for all the kind comments and sound advice. Its ironic that I have dug in wire mesh to about 4 inches deep and abot 12 inches wide all around the loft to stop Roland getting underneath..

That was still very much worth doing Dave

in 50 and 60s i think most lofts had doweled fronts never saw one covered up also most were painted blue and white stripes

Diamond Dave wrote: ↑Mon Dec 16, 2024 9:05 pm Thank you everyone for all the kind comments and sound advice. Its ironic that I have dug in wire mesh to about 4 inches deep and abot 12 inches wide all around the loft to stop Roland getting underneath..

Well worth doing Dave