Young Bird Loft

Here are some photos of my YB loft. The loft measures 12' long and 8' wide. The loft is broken down into three 4' by 8' sections. The first 4' by 8' section is used as a feed room and storage. The other two 4' by 8' sections are used to house the old bird team. The hens are kept on the left side and the cocks on the right. The hens have basic perches to make for easy cleaning. On the cock's side are 20 nestboxes without any fronts. Both the hens and cocks have their own avairys on each side of the race loft. This feature is important during the race season when I want them to be able to relax and sunbathe without either sex seeing each other. The loft gets good light with a sky light and window on either the cocks or hens side. The floor of the lofts is basically wire and 2" by 2" pieces of wood spaced 1 inch apart. I made the landing board 30" by 8' long because it also acts as an aviary since it can be opened or closed. I have a Tipes 4 stall trap directly in the middle of the landing board. I use the Tipes 2100 clock since our whole combine uses Tipes clocks. The OB loft also features a late trapping area. This is basically a small area beyond the trap where late arrivals can still enter the loft, but not be able to get in either the cock's or hen's side. I leave food and water in there if I am missing a bird or two. This prevents any predators from entering the main part of the loft if the late birds are followed home. The late trapping area also makes it possible for me to loft fly either sex with only one trap without either sex seeing each other. The late trapping area has doors that can be open on either the cock's side or hen's side.