[chesaka]

I would like to be able to use live pigeons in my winger but twice have had fatalities, not to my liking. The first time I tied both feet and wings and thought that was the problem _ too much restraint. This time I tied only the wings but now I think perhaps too tightly. Pigeon took a little abuse from an over excited dog on a second throw and a hard landing on the next mark killed the poor thing. I like my pigeons but would like to use them for what I raise them for _ retriever training. That said, I would like to be as humane as possible when using them. Any advice on how to restrain so that they will stay in the basket of the winger but can also fly enough to ease the landing??

 

[Happy Gilmore]

Clip the wings with scissors and use a rubber band on their feet

 

[Steve Shaver]

I just pull a few feathers from the wings. When you put them in the winger put their head under a wing. The tension in the pouch is enough to keep it there.

 

[Wayne Nutt]

In addition to pulling flight feather from ONE wing rotate the pigeon and get it dizzy. It will stay in place.

 

[BJGatley]

Clip the wings with scissors and use a rubber band on their feet

Paul...did you mean on one side and not both? I made that mistake and cut both wing's flight feathers. When the launcher went off, so did the bird and off he went. I got an ear full from my mentor and had one less bird for my dog. Oh well.
To the OP...Placement of bird is very important. Back of bird should be center and facing back of winger. If not, then the bird will be too tight in the pouch when ready for launch. Have fun...

 

[Happy Gilmore]

Cut them the same way you cut chickens so they can't fly. Pulling flight feathers makes them bleed and takes a long time to heal. They'll live longer. Other option is just wrap rubber band around the feathers on one wing.

 

[Andy Carlson]

Put vet wrap around their head so that their eyes are covered. If they can't see, they should just land and stay put. At least that works for ducks

 

[Pete]

It could be the shape of your basket thats suffocating them before they are launched.
My wingers will kill ducks and pigeons in about 2 to 3 minutes if I don't get them launched in time. may be a little of that is happening with yours.
Pete

 

[chesaka]

I would like to be able to use live pigeons in my winger but twice have had fatalities, not to my liking. The first time I tied both feet and wings and thought that was the problem _ too much restraint. This time I tied only the wings but now I think perhaps too tightly. Pigeon took a little abuse from an over excited dog on a second throw and a hard landing on the next mark killed the poor thing. I like my pigeons but would like to use them for what I raise them for _ retriever training. That said, I would like to be as humane as possible when using them. Any advice on how to restrain so that they will stay in the basket of the winger but can also fly enough to ease the landing??

thank you for the good suggestions. i think i was doing several things wrong and my pigeons thank you.

 

[Bill Cummins Jr.]

I have hand-thrown shackled pigeons using orange surveyer's tape, tied around the base of the wings. Rotated birds every other day, and used them all one summer.