Introduction to birds

[Cass]

Just wondering what age or what stage to introduce birds to a cocker, and whether you should start with dead birds first or a lock winged pigeon?

[andyshaw]

Mine where accidentle to be honest and runners! But i think the general idea is avoid pigeon as the feathers can be a bit strange and go with a dead small bird and go upwards

[Cass]

The only bird he's been in contact with was a dove he flushed (not on purpose I'm sure) the other day on our walk/training. I've heard people say it needs to be done before 20 weeks as the first 20 weeks are the best for imprinting. Just wondering if this is true or not. I am in an urban setting so my access to birds isn't the greatest, however I used to fly racing homers and rollers back in the day so I still have some contacts, so I would be able to get a dead bird or 2 and a few birds here and there to release and they can go back to their home and not mine hahahaha. Putting up a loft is not an option where I'm at.

[Naj]

In the UK we don't use clip winged pigeon or allow/encourage spaniels to trap a bird, as in the States, so our training is a bit different. It is probably a more common practice over here to perfect obedience before introducing cockers to birds or any other game. But I would release fly-aways for a young cocker pup to teach it that chasing is pointless & develop this into steadiness training, & would also give it retrieves on dead birds.

In the UK some don't recommend that pups be trained on woodpigeon, because they are very loose feathered, but if you are using domestic pigeon or ferals, then this wouldn't be a problem.

Naj

[Cass]

We don't have woodpigeons here so no worries there hahaha

[Nonehpets]

Hi Cass I know you said you live in an urban area but do you have a Park with hedges or woodland bordering it?

I got a really good example for Dicey today when a small flock of wild birds (sparrow sized hedgerow/field birds) flushed and he set off after them across a ploughed field. He only went about 20m and then the think bubble read "well they aren't much fun!" as he sat and watched them disappear. His head had gone up so I am sure he caught the scent and the movement at the sameish time and it was a big enough group for the movement to entice him forward.

I am thinking flocks of hedgerow birds on a park could give Jake similar experiences and perhaps not quite as flighty since more used to people.

Cathy

[Cass]

Yeah, he generally comes into contact with small birds on our walks and training sessions. The other day he chased a robin, but only went about 20 ft before realizing it was a lost cause. Should I be trying to get into these situations with him? I do take him outside the city into the woods where I hunt as well.

[Naj]

I think that you're barking up the wrong tree if you're considering using tweety birds to train anything other than that they're not worth chasing &/or bothering with. You don't need anything to get a well bred cocker going.

Naj

[Cass]

I think that you're barking up the wrong tree if you're considering using tweety birds to train anything other than that they're not worth chasing &/or bothering with. You don't need anything to get a well bred cocker going.

Naj

I agree, I don't think it'll take much. I cannot believe his natural scenting and patterning that he does while we're out for walks and he's only 12 weeks old. He just seems hardwired.

[Blackjaw]

If you are going to train the American/Canadian Way, think about setting up a small homing pigeon loft. With the number of fly aways we like to give our dgos, it will quickly pay for itself.