Training birds

[GottaGo]

I need to start getting my brittany pup on some birds but I have never owned my own birds. What kind of birds do people recommend, barn or homing pigeon? If using barn pigeon, what's the best way to flush them without losing them? Clip wings? Tie string to foot? Do I need a launcher? Or can I get the bird to hold tight by another means? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I want to train starting ASAP with birds and my understanding is homing pigeons take awhile and some training to get them to return.

[Stringerless!]

Used to race homers. Yes, It will take a while before they come back to your house. You will have to get babies that are just weaned and keep them locked up a week or two. Sometimes older birds can be settled but it can be frustrating.

[TrollnDrift]

Some dog trainers will have birds you can buy from them. I have a lab and I used home grown pheasants, next time i think i will try chuckars tho.

[Jmnhunter]

i have used regular barn pigeons with clipped wings,, make sure you have a lead on your pup otherwise he may get into a habit of chasing birds after the flush if he sees them land; tie a pink or bright colored ribbon on the bird's foot too so you can find them, a fishing net will help too

[401TE]

Depending on where you're at in your training program, and how old the pup is, I'd say quail to start then pigeons. Grab a long handled fishing net and hit some parking ramps after dark for pigeons. You can find quail for sale on c list.

Get a launcher for your brit, you'll be happy you did. A launcher lets you have control over the training situation.

Don't worry about losing birds, the way a pointer learns is by having the bird fly away after they mess up. If they do it right, you shoot the bird and they get the reward of getting to handle it.

[Fishinguy40]

Look on hsolist. That's what I did last year. Bought a dozen pigeons and pulled a couple of their primary flight feathers. It was fun watching that young pup run the fields and then slowly stalk and lock up on the pigeons. Brittany's have such a natural instinct and ability. I didn't have to teach him a thing when it came to finding birds.