CRC
News and Updates
Jun-26-2022
Good Morning Breeders,
 
Birds are out enjoying some beautiful summer weather.  The 10th flight is about 3/4 of the way grown in and the birds are back to flying great. This week I started pushing them off the loft a few times during each loft fly session to make sure they are all getting some wing time.  Birds are molting well and are happy to lounge around in the loft and aviaries during the hottest part of the day. Baths continue to be offered twice a week, which they love.  
 
This week will be more of the same, with road training starting after July 4th.  I am seeing more mid air collisions than I like to see resulting in injuries, but it seems to be unavoidable with this many birds.  Birds were treated with routine canker meds this last week and will have a follow up deworming at some point this week.  
 
 
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer.
 
Lucas
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac, Topigeon clocking system, and Ropa B
Jun-12-2022
GOOD MORNING

Good Morning Breeders,
 
Cool and wet here at the loft this morning, so birds will be staying in and enjoying the rain in the aviaries.  This week should dry out a bit and be pleasant with highs in the 70s.  Birds are back to flying well after having their 10th flight pulled and spending several days just hanging out on the loft for their loft flights.  I haven't had to push this group yet to fly, since the raptors tend to do that for me. Looking at the calendar I will probably start to flag them a bit starting the 20th and do our first road trainer around the 4th of July.
 
Birds are continuing to molt well and appetites are good.  The new antennas I received for the clock are working better, but not perfect.  I have some more new equipment coming this next week to trial and see if I can get our clocking a bit tighter.  
 
We finished our old bird series this last week with the 500 mile race.  500 is a tough race for us on this course and again this year we did not have any day birds.  Looked like we had a good day to possibly get some this year, but thunderstorms and rain moved on to the course in the afternoon shutting the birds down.  Early the next morning they started coming in, so they were close.
 
Results attached in the link...need to change the date to 6/08 in the date field to get results
 
I hope this finds everyone well!  Have a great week.
 
Lucas
 
 
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac, Topigeon clocking system, and Ropa B
Jun-02-2022
GOOD EVENING!
Good Evening Breeders,
 
After checking chips and pulling the 10th flight yesterday, the birds enjoyed a nice relaxing warm day in the loft.  They enjoyed a nice salt water bath and a bunch of kale and romaine lettuce.  Birds handled great and I only pulled one bird out for observation that wasn't a 100 percent.  Electronic chips were all functioning properly.  The whole process went smoothly with minimal stress.  At most, each bird only has to be in the holding pen for about 30 minutes before they are processed and allowed back into the loft/aviaries.  
 
Birds will now be on natural light from here on out...this should put most of them into a pretty good body molt.   Appetites continue to be good and I am happy with our current feed mix.  I continue to alternate Primalac and Ropa B in the water. Drinkers are disinfected at least daily if not twice a day when it is warm.  Now that all the birds are together in the main loft I Virkon the loft about once a week.  
 
Last weeks old birds race results...next week 500 miles
 
New antennaes are working better, but I am still dialing them in.  I will probably keep the birds in for another day or two and then back to loft flying.  
 
Have a great evening.
 
Lucas
 

 
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac, Topigeon clocking system, and Ropa B
May-26-2022
GOOD MORNING!
Good Morning Breeders!
 
Beautiful sunny and warm day here in Central Oregon.  The birds are out flying and enjoying the warm weather.  Summer has finally arrived with a couple 80 degree days, which has been lovely for both me and the birds.
 
Birds continue to loft fly daily as the weather/wind permits.  I have many small groups taking off and routing...I have some birds going missing on these flights.  I had a friend about 10 miles north of me bring back one youngster that must have traveled a little too far away on one of these trips.  These groups are having fun but seem to get themselves into some trouble by going too far, encountering wires, and/or raptors.  Overall, health continues to be good, even with the cooler wet spring.  
 
I did receive four new antennas from Topigeon and have installed them, so hopefully this will solve our clocking issues.  I did extensive testing with the previous model that I received earlier this year and found them to be defective.  I will be handling all the birds next week to confirm bands are in working order and pull the tenth flight.  Birds will be going on natural light in the next few days.  
 
Trailer went in yesterday and had bearings, brakes and tires serviced.  I replaced a broken tail light and did a thorough pressure washing.  Birds will now have access to the trailer, so they can get used to loading and unloading.  Road training will start the first week of July.  
 
Old Bird Results from this past weekend. Two races left in the season, a 200 mile and 500 mile!  500 mile is my favorite and the one I look forward to all year.
 
Hope this finds everyone well!
 
Lucas
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac, Topigeon clocking system, and Ropa B
May-16-2022
GOOD MORNING
Good Morning Breeders!
 
Birds are out enjoying a beautiful morning here at the loft.  We are finally getting some warm sunny weather.   I have been  working on trap designs and antenna placement to try and catch all the birds when the birds trap quickly, so inventories are not 100 percent correct.  I will get it all dialed in well before training starts.
 
Birds continue to do well and are starting to group up nicely with several groups starting to route.  I have one last group to settle and then all the birds will be together in the main flock. Hawks and falcons continue to be an issue, but I do my best to keep them at bay.
 
Congratulations to Daren Youngblood...his bird was able to clench the 400 mile race win yesterday!
400 Mile Race Results
 
 
Have a great week!
 
Lucas
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac, Topigeon clocking system, and Ropa B
May-07-2022
INTAKE NOW CLOSED
Good Morning Breeders,
 
Cold, Wet, Windy.....Repeat :)  That is what this spring has been like for us here in Central Oregon.  Great weather for growing grass and adding to our snow in the mountains, so I am not complaining.  Settling birds in this weather isn't the greatest, so the birds have been having to stay locked up more than usual.  Tomorrow looks like it will be nicer and I should be able to get them out for a loft fly.
 
Intake of all birds is now closed.  Thank you all for sending quality birds to me this year!  I really do appreciate the support!
 
Birds are eating like crazy with this colder weather.  The main flock just finished a course of respiratory medication...this is the first time they have seen any antibiotics.  I was starting to see some eye colds come on, so it was time to treat the flock.  Birds are back on Primalac and Ropa B.  Lights are still on 24 hours and will continue to be so until the end of the month.  The 10th flight will be pulled around June 1st.  I still have two sets of birds to trap train and settle into the main flock and that will happen within the next two weeks.  
 
I have been messing around with my Topigeon antenas, so please bear with me while I get them adjusted exactly how I want them. There seems to be a few birds missing on each loft fly that I know are in the loft, so I am working on adjusting them before any real training begins.
 
This week's old bird race had to be shortened to a 100 mile sprint due to wind, rain, and snow.  Next week we are scheduled to fly our 400 mile.
 
 
Have a great weekend!  
 
Lucas
 
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac, Topigeon clocking system, and Ropa B
May-02-2022
LAST WEEK TO SHIP ALL BIRDS!
Good Evening Breeders,
 
This is the last week to ship all birds.  I just got done marking any missing birds, so all breeder's bird list should be current.  If your bird is missing from today's loft fly, but was here yesterday, please wait until after tomorrow's loft fly to confirm. If anyone sees anything I missed, please let me know.  
 
Overall, birds are doing well.  I have been getting the birds out as much as possible with the weather and the birds have been enjoying some rainy days.  Today turned into a beautiful spring day and the birds were basking in the sunshine.  We are all looking forward to some sunny warm days!  
 
Today's Old Bird Race results....
 
Have a great week and please reach out with any questions or concerns.
 
Lucas
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac, Topigeon clocking system, and Ropa B
Apr-25-2022
IMPORTANT UPDATE!

Good Evening Breeders!

Last day to ship all birds, including replacements is May 3rd.

I will go through and mark any missing birds this evening. We had some raptor action here at the loft today, so I do still have some birds coming in.  If your bird is missing today, but was here yesterday, I would wait until we do another loft fly tomorrow to make sure they are not here before sending replacement.

Reminder to all the breeders that if you have paid for 5 or more perch fees you are entitled to one backup bird...I encourage everyone eligible to take advantage of that offer.  

Race is closed to all new breeders, unless we have talked.  Feel free to reach out with any questions.

 

Lucas

503-510-2661
Apr-16-2022
FULL FOR 2022!

Good Morning Breeders!

 

Loft is now full for 2022!  If we have talked or payment is still in the mail then you are golden. Unfortunately, if you are not prepaid I will not be able to accept your birds for this season.  I appreciate all the support and I wish everyone the best of luck for this years OLR Season.

I will continue to take replacements and prepaid birds through the first week of May. Birds seem to be handling the shift in weather and temperature well.  The blue group had their first loft fly with the flock yesterday and of course I had a coopers drop from the heavens and blow the loft up...birds everywhere...most are back but looks like a dropped a few yesterday.  Hopefully, I will see a few more back today.

 

Today is snowing...Again!!! :)  I like the moisture it brings but the birds and I definitely would like some heat and sunshine.  

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Lucas
Apr-11-2022
GOOD MORNING!
Good Morning!
 
It is a cold, windy, and wet morning here at the loft.  Birds will be staying in today.  Forecast is looking like cold wet/snow  through Thursday...hopefully we will get a break to let the birds out. 
 
Thank you all for the support this year!  We are getting close to capacity here at the loft with birds present and prepaid perches.  I would advise if you haven't prepaid and plan on sending after this week to prepay your perches.  Having your name on the reservation list does not guarantee you a spot. 
 
I went through and updated the missing birds yesterday, so that list should be current.  For those that don't know how to see their list....click on the breeder tab on the website and then click on your name. Give me a shout with any questions.
 
For those that have old birds flying with me this year...here is the link to this week's races..
 
 
 
Birds are starting to get some wing time in and are acting more like a flock.  I try to get them out every day as long as the winds aren't too strong and it isn't pouring rain.  

I hope this finds everyone well.  Feel free to send a message or call if you have any questions.  Usually best to text since I do not have good reception in the lofts.
 
Have a great week!
 
Lucas
--
Lucas Cramer
503-510-2661
 
Crooked River Challenge is a proud user of Primalac, Topigeon clocking system, and Ropa B
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